Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and loving greetings of the season

To my many blogger friends and readers, I hope the coming year is filled with joy, laughter and adventure, and that you enjoy the prosperity of finding the riches in life.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

I promise to be more prolific in the coming weeks. I have enjoyed spending some quiet moments with my boys but am missing participating in the debate. Looking forward to reading more of what my wonderful sisters and brothers are learning, saying and doing.

Big cyber hugs.
Cyn 

Monday's health links

I've been quiet for a while - sorry about that! Some weeks I just get so tired of thinking about cancer. But, here we go, back at it!

1. This morning, an interesting conversation about breast cancer on the Today Show was ended quickly so they could make time for the really important news...the addition of two new cast members to Beverly Hills Housewives. People suck. Anyway, before this ridiculousness, Dr. Susan Love beats the prevention drum some more. Something we all need to hear in this month of "awareness." NBC.
2. Speaking of Dr. Love, if you have a moment, the website for the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation is worth a look. It's a great place to read current breast cancer news stories and hear about the latest research findings. For example, this recent article consolidates current knowledge about the value of bone building drugs as part of adjuvant therapy. After two rounds of Zometa, I asked my oncologist if he had been following research that said it didn't make much of a difference. He concurred and I stopped. Well, this article reinforces that there is a very small survival gain, especially when given to premenopausal women. Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.
3. Got time for another? Almost every breast cancer patient I know has questions about soy. This article does a great job of summarizing current knowledge. The takeaway? We should feel safe about eating whole soy foods, like cooked soybeans, edamame, tofu, miso and soy milk. A 2009 study found that after 4 years, the higher a woman's soy protein or isoflavone intake, the lower her risk was of having a recurrence or dying. This applied across the board, for both ER+ and ER-, and pre and postmenopausal women, as well as for women on tamoxifen. Isn't soy a phytoestrogen? Doesn't it make life harder for my tamoxifen? "The soy story also shows us why we can't over simplify the science. Soy is not a phytoestrogen but rather a "phytoSERM," more like tamoxifen than estrogen. It also reinforces that we cannot automatically extrapolate from studies on cells and rats to women. We need to do studies on women so that we know what happens in women's bodies." This is a great website.
4.  The economic fallout of cancer, here for women in the UK. WebMD.
5. The breast cancer story as told by both a nurse and a pathologist struck by the disease. CNN.
6. Drs. Oz and Roizen summarizing the main things we know about breast cancer prevention. Put down that merlot and pick up your sneakers. The Star.
7. Carving up some Jack-o'-lanterns this month? Save and roast those pumpkin seeds because they are really good for you! Just remember to limit yourself - they pack fat. Empowher.
8. BPA consumed in pregnancy is linked to behavioural problems in daughters. MSNBC.
9. Today is the first ever Food Day. Dr. David Katz wants us to make every day Food Day. Huffington Post.

Have a great day!

Monday's...um Tuesday's health links

Sorry - I've got kids home sick this week...clearly somebody didn't read last week's post about washing their hands.

1. Breast cancer death rates declining more slowly for lower income women. Bloomberg.
2. It wasn't until I learned that the guy whose life inspired 50/50 lived that I decided I'd be able to see this film. Wimp! Calgary Herald.
3. It's a bird...it's a plane...no...it's SUPER BROCCOLI! British scientists have developed a version of the much-maligned veg that contains three-times the normal levels of glucoraphanin, a compound thought to protect the body against heart disease and some types of cancer. Look for it first at Marks and Spencers in the UK (no joke) before it is rolled out to other grocery stores. No word on when it may hop the pond. Fodors.
4. A Quebec cancer coalition calls for changes in the way many chemotherapy drugs are funded, saying the province's treatment of the disease is second-rate. CTV.
5. Another reminder on ways to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer. Vancouver Province.
6. A good, succinct article about sex after cancer. Livewell Nebraska.
7. The challenges of facing breast cancer as a young woman. USA Today.
8. While the US federal government recommends eating more fruits and vegetables through their MyPlate nutritional guidelines, it continues to focus most food production subsidies on meat. From this article, "By one estimate, if Americans followed the new USDA diet guidelines, an additional 13 million acres of fruit and vegetable crops would have to be planted each year to provide the food."  Are we on the cusp of big change for food production and consumption norms? Washington Post.
9. Finally, it's day 4 of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I am already sick to death of the "cute" side of this ridiculous disease.  For example, apparently hot men want me to touch my boobs this month. Seriously - there's an app for that. In my world - breast cancer has been a terrifying, body scarring, life changing, bloated f'ing BASTARD. There isn't a bloody thing about it that is sweet. But every October, the bachelorette-party-game themes persist - boobies, titties, lingerie and cupcakes. Women aren't idiots. Stop treating us like we learn better when the message is wrapped in cotton candy.

Up now on my recipe blog - fighting cancer with plums

We are right at the end of their season. Get some quick and then check out my recipes.

Monday's health links

Welcome to Autumn, friends! The beautiful rain, the crisp fall breeze, children back at school...that can only mean one thing...flu season. Go wash your hands!

1. A new study for breast cancer treatment tests whether bumping up radiation can cut treatment time in half. That could have a big impact since it will mean treatment will cost less and be completed more quickly. Some of my US friends have asked whether radiation dosages are higher in Canada. Many of them have done around 7 weeks of treatment but I only did 5 1/2. And mine was considered a high risk case, so it's not likely I received less radiation than the average bear. USA Today.
2. Promising new study examined combining two drugs (everolimus plus exemestane) to better treat ER-positive breast cancer. Examiner.
3. And...targeted chemo used to better fight metastatic breast cancer. Medscape.
4. Study into new prostate cancer drug is so successful they end the study early. Daily Mail.
5. Eating blueberries may slow the growth of breast cancer cells. Promising news for triple-negative cancer. Sacramento Bee.
6. Phytoestrogens, like those found in vegetables, bran, sesame seeds, barley and flaxseeds, linked to lowered risk of breast cancer and breast cancer death. But what the heck does that mean for us estrogen-positive chicks? To take us into account, the study leader expressed a desire to sample a much larger group of women. Until then, I will continue to eat lots of veggies, seeds and bran, but I will be limiting my intake of flax. Emax Health.
7. Add legumes to your diet and support a Saskatchewan farmer! You non-Canadians who may not be so moved should also know that they are an excellent source of folate, the B vitamin touted as a weapon against colon cancer. Globe and Mail.

Have a great week!

BPA, Methylparabens and Tamoxifen...oh my!

We're not in Kansas anymore.

A very troubling study was released last week. San Francisco researchers found that bisphenol A (BPA) and methylparaben, two chemicals found commonly in many consumer goods, are dangerous little buggers for breast cancer survivors. Not only are they believed to trigger some of these cancers, a new study shows that they also help cancer cells withstand the effects of Tamoxifen. In the study, the researchers took noncancerous breast cells from patients at a high risk for developing breast cancer, grew them in a lab and then exposed them to BPA and methylparaben.The formally normal breast cells began acting like cancer cells. Then, the researchers added Tamoxifen to the mix. What happened? One would hope that Tamoxifen would do what it is designed to do and slow down or stop the growth of these cells. Nope. Instead, these cells just kept growing.

The concern for estrogen-positive breast cancer patients like me? According to Dr. William Goodson, lead author of the study, "Since most breast cancers are driven by the hormone estrogen, the bulk of the drugs used to treat breast cancer are designed to knock down estrogen. BPA and methylparaben not only mimic estrogen's ability to drive cancer, but appear to be even better than the natural hormone in bypassing the ability of drugs to treat it."

Scary stuff. If this finding is true, many of us are in big trouble if we don't start eliminating these chemicals from our environment. And it would be naive to expect manufacturers to lead the way. Instead, consumers have to start taking a look at the potential dangers of products they use and finding safer alternatives.

There are a few basic steps you can take right now.

1. Cut down on your use of canned goods that are not labelled BPA-free. Eden packages all of their beans in BPA-free cans but there are other manufacturers doing this as well. Look at the label. If you can't find BPA-free cans, switch to dry beans. Once you have mastered the technique of cooking them (long soak followed by a long-slow cook) you will be amazed you were ever intimidated by it. And, you'll save a lot of money! Seek out tomato sauces that are sold in glass jars. Look for frozen artichoke hearts or buy the marinated ones in glass. Buy fresh mushrooms...you get the idea.
2. Research the BPA content of plastic containers you use to store foods and beverages. I was happy to discover that Zip-Loc bags are BPA free! Excellent news since I use them almost exclusively to freeze whole and stewed fruits and vegetables, pesto, salmon and meat. Stop buying bottled water and invest in aluminum water bottles - the marketplace is full of them. My new rule of thumb - when in doubt about how to store something, use glass. I know of people who now take mason jars of soup coddled in knitted cozies or socks to work. Sweet.
3. Look at the labels of all the creams, lotions and potions you lather and slather on you and your family and eliminate those that contain parabens. Environmental Working Group's site Skin Deep is a great database for researching the ingredient lists of many of the products found in our medicine cabinets, shower stalls, and cosmetic bags. Then seek out products that are paraben-free. This group of products has grown in leaps and bounds, and it is much easier to find simply formulated products today than even two years ago when I first started making the shift.
4. Keep reading studies. We don't want to follow junk science, so learn to read with a critical eye. But when in doubt, practice caution. Until I read solid research that finds BPA and parabens don't interfere with Tamoxifen, I'll be treating them like something to be feared.

Be well.

Cutting down on your chemical exposure

In an effort to decrease my exposure to potential carcinogens and estrogen-mimicking chemicals,  I have completely overhauled my cosmetic and skincare routine. That means chucking out and passing along tried and true creams and cleansers, and searching out unknown, but potentially less hazardous, simpler products.

With the help of the Environmental Working Group's database, Skin Deep, and reviews on Amazon and Canadian online health and beauty store well.ca, I have sourced new products for both myself and my family.

Here's what I have started with:

1. Green Beaver Jr. Boreal Berries Bubble Bath for the boys. Smells great, lots of bubbles and none of the crap found in the bubble bath I used to buy for them. All organic, biodegradable, gluten-free...ok, the last part makes me smile cause I only ever thought gluten was an issue in edible products. Clearly I was wrong! Did I mention Green Beaver is a Canadian company?
2. Also from Green Beaver, Purifying Grapefruit and Soothing Aloe Facial Cleanser. Works a treat, didn't strip my skin and has a light, happy, citrusy scent that comes from the ingredients and not added fragrance.
3. For hand and bath soap, for us and the kids, I went with Rocky Mountain Soap Company soaps. They are great - lots of lather, skin softening and great scents. Plus, all of them are rated zero risk at Skin Deep. I bought ours at their Victoria, BC store but they are also available, along with the rest of their great products, via their website.
4. Jamieson ProVitamina E Moisture-Rich Nourishing Cream for an all-around moisturizer, day or night, that packs a ton of moisture. To make it a day cream, I'm mixing it with my regular sunscreen in my palm. Skin Deep rates this a moderate risk, due mostly to allergy and immunotoxicity concerns, but it is a low-risk for cancer and that's my main concern. I will alternate this cream with straight olive oil for my night-time moisturizing needs.
5. For an all over lotion, I got Ella's Botanicals My Darling Clementine Hand & Body Lotion. Doesn't show up on Skin Deep, but I can see from its ingredient list that this one's a keeper. Just a few ingredients, mostly sunflower oil, and tangerine and sweet orange essential oils to give it a light, appealing scent. Not greasy, rubs in quickly and, 24 hours later, my skin is still soft.
6. For conditioner, I picked Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioner that goes with the Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo I have already been using. No ratings on Skin Deep, but argan oil shows up as zero risk. So far, so good. My hair feels clean and soft (but I'm still growing out this goofy post-chemo hair and I think what I really need now is a haircut!) and the products are not strongly-scented.

As I find new products, I'll let you know. For example, Olivier Soapery makes shampoos and soaps that show up as zero risk on Skin Deep, so I think that will be my next purchase once these ones run out.

If you are starting this process as well, take heart! There are lots of places to look for advice on picking new products. In addition to the sites I used here, I also belong to Crazy, Sexy and Safe Products at the Crazy Sexy Life website and my friends there have lots of great recommendations.

If you have any natural products that you love, let me know and I'll share them here!