Monday's health links - the recipe edition

Hi friends! From the title you will see that this is not the traditional health links post! I could not find anything interesting in the news but I have been finding lots of great healthy recipes. So, today I give you links to the most fun way to fight cancer - eating well!

1. Mark Bittman's salmon roasted in butter.  I think this is the way my sister cooks it. And it's what we're having for supper tonight! New York Times.
2. Part of the Meatless Mondays movement, baked eggplant marinara. SheKnows.
3. Building on the reported health benefits of turmeric, and its component curcumin, coconut Thai rice curry. Care2.
4. Lasagna with roasted broccoli is a great way to get extra vegetables into your dinner plans. New York Times. 
5. The stands are finally full of beautiful strawberries in my neck of the woods. How about a proscuitto, spinach and strawberry salad? Canoe.
6. A great selection of spring and salad rolls. Kids love to make them and they end up getting lots of veg. One note - I'm not sure the mashed potato spring rolls are actually good for you, but lordy, they would be great for my state of mind. :-) Huffington Post.
7. Another great salad - quinoa, pea and black bean with cumin vinaigrette. New York Times.
8. Finally, great advice on cooking salmon along with great recipes. Huffington Post.

That's it for now. Happy cooking.

Monday's health links

Welcome to June, everybody! The sun is shining somewhere today, so get outside and go for a walk. :-)

1. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day might be too much - let your body tell you when to drink and how much! CBC.
2. Using cancer "signatures" to help predict response to estrogen-lowering therapy. News-Medical Net.
3. FDA approves new drug for use in treating HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Wall Street Journal.
4. Using ginseng to help deal with cancer-related fatigue. WebMD.
5. Looking at HIV drugs to help target breast cancer treatment. Philly.com/Health.
6. Swedish study finds that the Atkins diet may be bad for the heart. The Atlantic.
7. Taking a run at the excuses we use not to exercise. Seattle Times.
8. Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen with five medical breakthroughs they find exciting: omega-7 fatty acids might be a new good fat, combining cardio and strength training on the same day is good for you, stress is bad for your DNA, ceramides may provide protection against cancer, and a skin-cancer drug may provide benefits against Alzheimer's disease. OregonLive.
9. Fighting cancer? Cooking for someone who is? Trying to prevent a recurrence? The Cancer Project has an online meal planner complete with shopping lists to make meal preparation easier. Now, what you really care about - yes, the recipes actually look yummy. There are curries, soups, salads, stir fries, cookies, and dips. Indian dishes, Thai, Italian, Mexican, and Japanese. A quick scan found Mexican Corn Chowder, Fettuccine with Grilled Asparagus, Peas, and Lemon, Oatmeal Waffles, the kid-friendly Monster Smoothie, Potato and Cauliflower Curry, and the one I'm most interested in doing this week, a mixed-vegetable burrito stuffing called Calabacitas. Looking for interesting quinoa recipes? Lots here, including Quinoa Tacos, Quinoa Loaf, Quinoa Pilaf, Fruited Breakfast Quinoa, and Quinoa Burgers. The Cancer Project.

Just a reminder, Father's Day is this Sunday. Go give your dad a hug and say thanks. And take him a good book or something. Bottle of wine. Fishing lure. You figure it out - but make him feel special. I love you, Dad.

Health links

Hey friends! Hope you are all well.

1. Vancouver clinic helps women find out their own risk for breast cancer and ways to avoid it. Vancouver Sun.
2. New blood test may help early stage breast cancer patients predict the risk of spreading or recurrence. Globe and Mail.
3. Using Herceptin to help target chemotherapy in Her2+ women. Huffington Post.
4. Disney bans junk food ads from its television channels and other kid-focused platforms. Woot woot!!! Globe and Mail.
5. Apparently, chia is taking London by storm! I mean, if Gwyneth Paltrow is on board, how long till Jay-Z starts rapping its praises? London Evening Standard.
6. POM Wonderful ordered to stop making health claims. AFP.
7. Lightening up meatloaf! The Feed via Not Martha.
8. If the sun could just be allowed to shine for a couple more hours (!) it will soon be strawberry season here in the Pacific Northwest! Click here to learn about why they are so great for you and head over to my recipe website for some great recipes.

Podcasts that will change your life

The best gift I received during cancer treatment was my iPod (thanks, lovely husband). That thing kept me company through many a long walk, sleepless night, or lonely chemo session. And while the portable devices of many of my fellow cancer warriors blasted inspirational rock anthems or cooed soothing new age instrumentals, mine streamed talk. Talk, talk and more talk.

Podcasts were my anaesthetic - calming a brain clenched by anxiety and fear with, well, I guess nothing more complicated than perspective. Podcasts turned my attention from my own state to the state of the world. I listened to stories of political turmoil and war, profound poverty, childhood disease and economic crisis. I cried at the pain and sadness. But cheered for the inspiring people who battle injustice, advocate for the forgotten and bring hope to the hopeless. I listened to stories of health and wellness, logging advice on walking, nutrition and supplements that may help in my own fight. And, most importantly, I listened to stories of humour. Humour about movies, humour about food, humour about life.
 
Many people will tell you that you will fight cancer the way you live your life. I am someone who cries easily and laughs a lot. No big surprise that my brain would hunger for the two extremes as a way of taking its focus off the unknown.

I still rely on my portable device, an iPhone now (thanks again, lovely husband). Every night it tucks under my pillow waiting for a midnight sleepless spell. Every day it goes on my walks with me, filling my head with things more pleasant to think about than cancer and illness.

So, if you are going through a stressful time, could I recommend some podcasts? Try them out, then go exploring on your own. You will be amazed at what you find, and what you find comfort in.

1. Stand Up, Walk Around, Even for Just 20 Minutes. Fresh Air, NPR. This interview between host Terry Gross and New York Times Phys Ed columnist and author will change the way you think about personal fitness. This was a life changing podcast for me. If you only listen to one podcast today, make it this one.
2. Also from Fresh Air, Just What's Inside Those Breasts?, an interview with writer Florence Williams on her new book Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History. I don't care if you have had breast cancer or not, you need to listen to this interview.
3. Phil Donahue interviews Tavis Smiley and Cornel West on their work The Rich & the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto. Click here for Part One and here for Part Two. Listening to these interviews will make you wonder why you waste your time watching network news. PBS.
4. This American Life and Retraction. One of the most popular stories shared last year on WBEZ's This American Life was Mike Daisey's story about Foxconn, a Chinese manufacturer of iPads and other Apple products. Turns out, a lot of the original story didn't pass the sniff test, and Daisey admitted to weaving fiction into his facts. In this follow up interview, Ira Glass confronts Daisey about what he did and why. This is riveting stuff.
5. Like to cook? Like to eat? Like to laugh till the stuff you have cooked and eaten is spurting out your nose? Check out any of Spilled Milk's episodes. I guarantee Molly and Matthew will give you 15 minutes of happy.

Now, I have to get going on my walk. Where's my phone?

Monday's health links

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes for my dads. They are both on the mend and their wives are both saints. :-)

On to the links:

1. New progress in using the immune system to fight cancer. Vancouver Sun.
2. The importance of testing for stomach cancer. It's an easy test - if you are prone to indigestion, reflux or chronic stomach pain, you need to talk to your doctor about getting one. CBC.
3. Breast cancer affects 1 in 1,000 men, and they are less likely to survive it than women. Men, if you find a small lump or something feels wrong, get in to the doctor. I know you don't want to go. No, you can't just walk it off. FOX. 
4. Dire news. If things don't change, 42% of Americans could be obese by 2030. USA Today.
5. Michelle Obama's plans to eradicate "food deserts", communities where residents don't have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, are at risk. Grocers have only opened a fraction of the stores originally promised. Bloomberg.
6. Vitamins E and C may not, as previously thought, help fend of macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Vancouver Sun.
7. Already in the arsenal of breast cancer warriors, Vitamin D may aid in the fight against prostate cancer. Renal and Urology News.
8. Seven foods with more Vitamin C than an orange: papaya, red bell pepper, broccoli, kale, strawberries, kiwi, and cauliflower, with brussel sprouts getting an honourable mention. Huffington Post.
9. Sad news. The Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch died Friday after a long fight with cancer. Those who look past the teen with the youthful bravado and swagger in the band's early videos would see the brilliant, compassionate, and generous man he became. Montreal Gazette.

Finally, a reminder. The days are getting longer and the sun is shining more. Please don't go outside without your sunscreen. SPF 30, as a minimum, over every part of your body exposed to the sun. Staying out for a while? Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Add a hat and sunglasses and consider clothes with good coverage as well. And, if you have had radiation as part of your treatment regime, make sure the affected area is well covered from the sun.

Health links

Both dads are home from the hospital and today is trying to be a sunny day.

On to the links...

1. How diet and exercise can impact survival after cancer treatment. CBS News.
2. ...and how it can impact fatigue levels after breast cancer. CBC.
3. A comprehensive summary of the risks of prostate cancer, and how to avoid them. Vancouver Sun.
4. Aspirin linked to lowered risk of lung cancer in women. Vancouver Sun.
5. ...and to lowered risk of dying from bowel cancer. Huffington Post.
6. A breakdown on the health benefits of chia seeds. In brief, while they are a good source of fibre, protein and anti-oxidants, they won't replace fish oil as a deliverer of omega-3s. Globe and Mail.
7. Finally, Nutella settles a class-action suit and admits what we all know - it isn't good for us. Vancouver Sun.

Monday's health links

Sorry for the dead air. My dad and dad-in-law are facing some serious health challenges and there just hasn't been time for posting. But things are looking good today, so let's get back at it.

On to the links...

1. Fast food in Canada and the US is saltier than elsewhere in the world. Having just dined at Fat Burger last night, I would have to concur. But it was yummy. So one more reason to employ moderation. Some foods are treats, not fuel. CTV
2. Exercise during breast cancer treatment helps you avoid depression and fatigue. And, helps cut down on constipation - so it's a win-win-win situation! Toronto Sun.
3. Using yoga to help fight breast cancer. Vancouver Sun (video)
4. If you still aren't eating your greens, here is a great summary of what you are missing! Top performers: kale, dandelion, spinach, chard, and collard greens. Seattle Times
5. Still need convincing? Criminy! Ok, how about this - cruciferous vegetables, like leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower, may improve chances of surviving breast cancer. Huffington Post
6. Really - still not convinced? What about what you're modelling for your kids? Here are some tips on getting kids to eat vegetables. Among the tips - kale chips, greens in smoothies, planting a garden and, and my favourite, talking with them about why vegetables are important. Don't lecture, but be honest about the risks of a bad diet. Kids get it. Washington Post.

Have a great week! 

Health links

Hi folks. Well, it is the first day of spring and the weather has never been more wacky. Summer temperatures in Central Canada, snow in the lower mainland of BC. What the fudgsicles is going on Mother Nature?

But the crocuses are up in the garden and, gosh darn it, I am going to slip an extra fleecy on under my rain gear and take the kids outside to the park. We got super cool Nerf laser guns from Santa and they are the perfect thing for enticing kids away from their gadgets and books into the grey great outdoors.

Just a small, self-righteous moment, if I may. It is now, let's see, 9:57 am and I have already consumed my weight in spinach. Not adding spinach to your morning smoothie yet? You fool. I know in the past I have extolled the virtues of kale chips and  turmeric tea, so I understand that I may have lost some of you. But you have got to believe me on this one! As long as you have a good base of banana and berries, you can slam in spinach, wheat germ, hemp seeds, chia seeds, just about anything. Just, um, remember to brush your teeth after. I haven't yet...hold on...

OK - clean teeth...on to the links...

1. In my last post I said the province was considering it, and now a decision has been reached. British Columbia bans people under 18 from using tanning beds. Vancouver Sun.
2. Mark Bittman discusses the new study on the link between red meat and disease. While he doesn't disagree, his point is too much red meat is only one small part of a larger problem.We need to take a long hard look at how we produce and consume food, and whether we or the planet can sustain it. New York Times.
3. A new way to screen breasts. A Richmond, BC company is completing work on an ultrasound system that uses a 360 degree rotating ultrasound transducer to capture a realistic, not squished image of the breast. Seattle PI.
4. A diet to help lower your risk of colon cancer. Huffington Post.
5. New American guidelines for cervical cancer screenings (Pap smears). Medical News Today.
6. The benefits of hemp seed. And no, one of them isn't getting you high. Good lord. National Post.
7. And, from the same writer, the benefits of chia seeds. And remember, when you hear people touting the benefits of plant-based omega-3s that they are not as readily converted to the form your body wants as fish-based omega-3s. But if you don't get enough fish in your diet, hemp and chia seeds are good, easy ways to fill in the omega 3 gap. And that doesn't even take into consideration their other nutritional benefits. National Post.

Have a great day!

Monday's health links

Sorry for the brief posting today, but folks in our neck of the woods are scrambling to entertain our kidlets at home due to teacher job action. I'm on a break between Bill Nye the Science Guy videos, math games and crafting fiestas - so sorry if I'm a little light on content.  I'll try to make up for that with great recipes tomorrow.

1. Considering banning teens from sunbeds in British Columbia. I've had skin cancer and breast cancer and if teens had any idea what they could lose in pursuit of their bronzed bods they would think twice about engaging in this dangerous activity. But I guess that is the point - they have trouble making connections between choices now and results in the future. Their parents, on the other hand, should know better. There is reassuring news in this article, though; a group of students in North Vancouver is rallying to promote a tanless prom. Vancouver Sun. By the way, if anyone still needs educating on skin cancer risk and prevention, this Health Canada website is a good resource.
2. Following BPA bans in Canada, France, Turkey, Denmark and Japan, the FDA in the US is considering following suit. Forbes.
3. Ice cream is as addictive as cocaine, say some researchers. You didn't have to tell me - I have long referred to Cherry Garcia as my crack. Huffington Post.
4. After five years of consultations, Health Canada has no plans to require manufacturers to clearly state that "whole wheat" bread is not "whole grain" bread. So, the job is yours. Whole wheat bread is only marginally better for you than white bread. If you are looking to improve your health (all of you folks who are going to live forever can ignore me now), choose products labelled "whole grain." Look at the ingredient list and make sure the term "whole grain" appears in the first few ingredients; any further down the list and it is simply garnish, IMO. Vancouver Sun.
5. The USDA and FDA are under growing pressure to change they way they inspect food. They key? Preventing outbreaks rather than responding to them. But it's going to take more money. Washington Post.

Finally...

xkcd

New recipes...

Sorry - forgot to post a note here but I've added some great salad recipes over on my recipe blog.

Enjoy!

Monday's health links

This seems to be a quiet week in cancer research news. A quick scan of the news sites does remind me, however, that we are entering the season of the cancer run. I encourage you to throw a little cash the way of any of your friends or neighbours who are getting off their butts in the name of cancer research this spring and summer. Some organizations do a better job than others of making sure funds raised get into the hands of researchers. I'll let you pick the one that you most trust. In the end, the act of running or walking in the name of someone you know who has been touched by cancer is a powerful thing. When we know so little about what we can actually DO to fight cancer, it is an empowering experience to think that this small act, putting one foot in front of the other again and again, is what might lead to the dollar that leads to the cure.

So, only one link today, from a recent concert in New York, the sublime Matisyahu singing "One Day" with the help of Luke Weber, a young fan currently battling cancer. via Shalom Life.

Monday's health links

Hello fellow cancer fighters. Sorry for the recent lull in postings. I'm on primary parent duty in a big way. Stand by for some enthusiastic postings here and on my recipe site!

1.  Researchers at the University of Windsor here in Canada are seeking approval to start clinical trials on the use of dandelion root extract as a targeted treatment for cancer. Based on observations to date, the extract seems to target and kill cancer cells while leaving healthy ones undamaged.  The hope is that this will led to a non-toxic cancer treatment derived from a plant rather than a synthetic chemical. All this was brought about when an oncologist noticed that some of her patients who had begun using dandelion root tea as an alternative therapy when chemo failed went into remission, albeit for only short periods of time. One patient, however, who has been a consistent consumer of the tea has been in remission for three years. Vancouver Sun.
2.  Good lord - now for something straight out of a science fiction flick, testing has started on the use of DNA nano-robots to hunt down and kill cancer cells. More targeted therapy is a good thing. MSNBC.
3. New promise shown in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. UK researchers are excited about an experimental drug called MRK003 and its ability to kill cancer cells in mice. Now they are testing on humans and observing some positive results. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers. BBC.
4. Could one drop of blood provide the information required to diagnose a dozen cancers, neurological diseases and heart disease? Larry Gold, a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder presented his research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference here in Vancouver this weekend. He hopes to create a "wellness chip" to use to diagnose a wide range of our most deadly diseases. Vancouver Sun.
5. Making the transition from treatment to normal life - a website has been created to help Alberta's cancer survivors on the next leg of their journeys. The CancerBridges Survivor Network was created by a team of cancer professionals and survivors to help promote survivorship care. CBC.
6. Finally, more evidence that that innocent can of diet Coke you consume while trying to manage your weight may actually be causing you serious harm. A study out of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Columbia University Medical Center reports that people who drank diet soda on a daily basis were 43% more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack. Huffington Post. 

I hope you are well.

Monday's health links

I hope everyone is well and warm.

1. Sometimes a cancer diagnosis isn't enough to get someone to stop smoking. Doctors, and loved ones, need to more actively encourage and support cancer patients to quit. CBC.
2. Jonathan Levine, director of Seth Rogan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's movie "50-50", says he underestimated how many potential viewers would shy away from seeing a movie about cancer. I don't know what excuse the rest of you are using, but I am still not interested in seeing movies about people dying from cancer. Spoiler - in this one, he lives! Now will you see it? I'm going to. From all accounts, it is a well-written, thoughtful film, that provides great insight into what the cancer experience is like. "50-50" will be available on DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 24. Winnipeg Free Press.
3. Deepak Chopra on the role of prevention in the war on cancer. This can be hard to hear, but he asserts that some experts believe that 90-95% of cancers are preventable. So, as a cancer survivor do I feel blamed? A little, but I must admit that choices I have made (having children later in life, not maintaining optimal weight, drinking alcohol moderately) may be connected to the growth of my tumour. We all know healthy, fit people who have gotten cancer - but using them as an excuse not to take a hard look at how prevention may improve our odds is stupid. Huffington Post.
4. "Pink Ribbons, Inc.", the film examining the pinking of the breast cancer "industry" opens in Canadian theatres February 3, 2012. Locally, for me, it will be shown in Richmond city council chambers Feb. 10 at 7 pm.  A panel discussion will follow.

Have a great week.

Etta James 1938-2012

The incomparable Etta James died this morning from complications of leukemia. New York Times.

Thank you, Etta. You gave our house a lot of joy.

Bunny bonding with Etta, January 2006.

Monday's health links

1. Liver and thyroid cancer rates rise in Canada. CBC.
2. Was the Million Women Study flawed?  If so, the anxiety around hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer may be misplaced. NY Daily News.
3. New blood test shows promise in early detection of pancreatic cancers. MSN. This could be huge news - one of the reasons pancreatic cancers are so hard to fight is that they go undetected until they have spread.
4. The debate continues. Here, on op-ed piece the National Post calling into question the value of mammograms. I hear both sides, all the time. Many women are offended that critics of mammograms point to the unnecessary anxiety that false positives cause, saying they would rather deal with anxiety than cancer. But my reality is that my mammogram did not find my 8 cm tumour. It was only because I continued to press about the cause of my pink skin that I was referred to a specialist. Perhaps we should be enriching the public dialogue by including more anecdotal evidence through individuals' stories of how their different cancers have presented. I am so tired of the pithy cancer sound bite and the cute marketing campaign.  I don't know about you, but I have time in my day to listen to the cancer experience. That's where the real learning is.
5. Magnesium may be one key to decreasing your risk of stroke. A new study finds that people with diets rich in magnesium have a much lower stroke risk. The mineral is found in beans, lentils, nuts, whole grains and, of course, green leafy vegetables. Magnesium also aides in calcium absorption, so it's an important mineral for people looking after their bones (like me!).  Globe and Mail.
6. Finally, back to my previous posts on daily tips for getting your healthy eating back on track. Day 7: snack on fruit. Day 8: drink a cup of green tea (here they suggest you use it while marinating or stir-frying) . Day 9: eat a leafy green vegetable (!).  Day 10 : plan next week's meals in advance (helps you avoid the dreaded drive-thru dash.)  Day 11:  pass on the salt. (Originally I read this as "pass the salt" and was all "woo hoo!" This makes much more sense. Nuts.)   Day 12: eat one vegetarian meal. And Day 13: add ground flax seed to your diet. The lignans are the key here so feel free to add chia seeds instead.  I had estrogen receptor positive breast cancer so should avoid flax seed - but chia is safe (and you don't have to grind it!). Globe and Mail.

Have a great day and, if you're getting snow dumped on you today, stay warm and please drive safely.

Monday's health links

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We spent a lovely few hours yesterday playing outdoor laser tag in celebration of my nephew's 8th birthday. Happy Birthday, Finn! We also got to spend some quality time with his grandpa, Bob. It was a wonderful day.

On with the links:

1. Please do not use this as an excuse to increase your alcohol consumption, but a new study says that the grape seeds and skins used in making red wine may help it play a role as a tool for preventing breast cancer. White wine, which lacks the skins, does not provide this benefit. A big deal is being made out of this since recent wisdom held that even moderate alcohol consumption was a breast cancer risk factor. The smart money continues to be on cutting back on alcohol, but if you want to indulge occasionally, red wine is an option you can feel better about. Me, I'll continue to feel good about adding grape seed extract to my supplement pile. Toronto Star.
2. DES and the role it may play in breast cancer. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic estrogen prescribed to millions of women to help prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. Turns out, the daughters of women who took it seem to have higher rates of breast cancer.
3. An Ontario lawsuit against seven tobacco companies could reduce smoking rates and improve the health of the province's residents. And perhaps it will be the start of real change elsewhere in Canada and the world. CTV.
4. Study on ADHD and diet suggests healthy eating may help kids reduce their symptoms. You have got to be kidding me - why don't we just come up with a pill? CBS.
5. Interesting pieces on the current state of health care in Canada and the US. Just one more reason to shift some of our attention to prevention; treating illness is expensive for all of us.
6. And finally, to continue with the healthy-eating month of tips from last week, days 5 and 6 are eat more veggies and use a smaller plate. I am sorry if I am boring anyone with these tips - but clearly there are still some people out there who haven't got the message. Including, um, me. :-) I love the look of a huge white plate with mounds of beautiful yummies plopped here and there about it. Turns out, that's wreaking a bit of havoc with my portion control meter. Lately, I've been using smaller plates and even bowls to help cut back on quantities. Only problem, turns out you can get a surprising amount of pie into a very small bowl.  Globe and Mail.

New recipes up on my other blog

A few easy, yummy recipes to help you make the shift back to eating like a rational human being. Put down that shortbread (though it was yummy, Judy) and haul out the juicer.

Health links to ring in a new year

Welcome to 2012!  I raise my tea to toast you and yours. May your new year be full of sleep, exercise and leafy green vegetables. ;-)

Now for the links...

1. Still waiting for the cure. In this month's Fortune magazine, Clifton Leaf has written on "Why We're Losing the War on Cancer." He says that actual death rates have not changed much in decades for cancers like lung, pancreatic and liver. "If we keep looking at the number of people getting this disease and dying of it, we will see that those numbers keep going up." What? Dr. Ben Neel, director of the Ontario Cancer Institute at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital, points to the complicated nature of cancer as a disease. But there is hope for cancer-free future. He predicts that there will be continued progressing developing treatments for subsets of the disease, like has been done for HER2-positive breast cancer, rather than a single magic bullet. Both men agree that, while we wait, there are things we can do to fight our own wars on this disease - prevention, he says, can cut cancer rates in half. CBC.
2. The American Cancer Society does have good news, however. They point to steep declines in fatal cases of both lung and breast cancers as a reason to feel positive about our progress. They do acknowledge, however, that other nasty cancers have been on the rise,  including those of the throat mouth, pancreas, liver, thyroid and kidney, and melanoma. AFP.
3. The Canadian Cancer Society published its list of the top ten cancer breakthroughs of 2011.  Among them, the clinical trial of Aromasin that suggests it cuts the risk of breast cancer by 65% in high-risk women, the trial that suggests radiation in early-stage breast cancer can significantly improve the chances of survival and decrease the risk of recurrence, and the development of nanoparticles that may be used to target and destroy tumours by converting light produced by lasers into energy to kill cancer cells. CBC.
4. OK - so now you know you need to eat better and get more exercise as part of your war on cancer. How about some help? Here's a month of tips on eating better and losing weight. Day 1: Keep a food diary for the first week. Day 2: Drink a large glass of water before every meal. Day 3: Increase your fibre intake at breakfast. Today: Eat more slowly.  OK - not the most groundbreaking info, but how well are you doing on your own? :-)  The Globe and Mail.
5. Get a new iPad or other tablet for Christmas? CBC has summarized the top ten most commonly recommended apps amongst a group of health experts. CBC.

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!