The 12 Days of Breast Health

By Vera Viner

Now that the holiday season is upon us, I thought it a good idea to use a twist on an old Christmas saying and provide breast cancer survivors and women at risk with a list of breast cancer prevention tips. Don’t wait for the New Year to begin a new regime, especially if you tend to overeat during the holidays. Below I outline steps to take over the next twelve days to lower your chance of contracting breast cancer.

Day 1: Break a Sweat by Exercising for One Hour

By exercising for an elongated period of time, you will be able to lower the levels of estrogen and insulin circulating around your body. Aerobic exercise, specifically, will cause oxygen to circulate quickly throughout your body and cardiovascular system. One study found that aerobic workouts led to a rise in metabolite ratios, which are associated with low breast cancer risk. Make sure to get on that treadmill or stationary bike to lower your cancer risk!

Day 2: Add Some Broccoli, Kale, and Carrots to Your Dinner

Antioxidants are vital for reducing your chances of contracting cancer. These substances break down free radicals, which can damage DNA and cellular function. Therefore, make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for a higher intake of antioxidants. When trying to keep your breasts healthy, make sure to eat salads, especially those filled with broccoli, kale, and carrots. In fact, kale chips may be a great snack for today. Next time you’re out grocery shopping, add these veggies to your cart!

Day 3: This Friday Night, Skip the Cocktails, Wine or Beer

High alcohol consumption is correlated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. In general, keep your drinking to a minimum. Try to have less than one drink per day. Two cocktails or glasses of wine throughout the week should be plenty. And if you’re trying to be extra healthy, skip a week of drinking!

Day 4: Add Some Vitamin D to Your Diet

Since those of us living in New England see little sunlight throughout the winter, it’s the perfect time to add some vitamin D for an added boost of breast health. For example, you can increase the amount of salmon you cook or add a daily supplement to take during the winter months. Fat-free dairy products are also full of vitamin D. To keep your breasts healthy, have a bowl of cereal and milk for breakfast and some salmon for dinner!

Day 5: Get Plenty of Sleep Before the Start of a New Week

Now that Sunday has come around, it’s vital to get plenty of sleep in the morning and plenty at night too. Getting enough sleep will allow your body to repair any wear-and-tear that takes place throughout the week. The Huffington Post reported on a study that found a link between the risk of aggressive breast cancer and lack of quality sleep. Not getting enough sleep could cause a weakened immune system, which may lead to cancer growth. Next time you want to stay up and watch a movie, try to get into bed, listen to quiet music, and drift off to sleep instead.

Day 6: Drink Some Green Tea this Afternoon

Drinking plenty of green tea will reduce your risk of breast cancer, as research shows it has prevented metastasis and cancer recurrence in some cases. The Chinese have been drinking green tea for thousands of years and gaining the health benefits of this drink. This particular tea will also reduce your risk of stomach, colon, bladder, ovarian, esophagus, and skin cancer.

Day 7: Cut Sugar from Your Diet for Today and See How Easy it is!

Excess sugar and refined carbohydrates will cause a rise in insulin within your system. Women with high insulin levels have a high risk of breast cancer. It’s vital to cut out sodas from your diet like Pepsi or Coke. Try to find cereals with the lowest amount of sugar possible. Cancerous cells love sugar like Romeo loved Juliet. They will die to get it! Except when they get it, they don’t die but grow off the fuel. When insulin levels are high, the chemicals attach to receptors on cancer cells and act much like estrogen – they cause the cells to divide. This Christmas Eve, don’t reach for that sugar cookie and instead eat some oranges instead!

Day 8: Avoid Read Meat this Christmas Day!

Instead of eating a diet full of red meat, try to only consume some poultry or fish on this fine Christmas day. Have plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as well! Various research has shown that consumption of red meat could be linked to breast cancerdevelopment, so if you want your breasts healthy, avoid red meat whenever you can!

Day 9: Get Back on the Treadmill or Stationary Bike!

During the holidays, I’m sure you had plenty to eat and spent plenty of time relaxing in front of the fire. While it is wonderful to have a nice holiday meal with your family, it is important for your health to keep moving, especially during the colder months when going out for a walk is nearly impossible. Get to the gym and spend an hour on that treadmill, elliptical, or bike! And don’t forget to stretch your muscles afterward.

Day 10: Add Some Garlic and Curry Powder to Your Dinner Tonight

Just because Christmas Day is over doesn’t mean you can’t still eat a delicious meal. Garlic and curry powder makes all of my dishes taste great! On top of that, both garlic and curry is very healthy for you. A study from Iowa shows that women who consumed garlic regularly had a lower risk of breast cancer.

Day 11: Spend this Saturday Relaxing and Reducing Post-Holiday Stress

We all know that the month of December can be very stressful and busy. You may have end-of-year deadlines to meet at work, the house to decorate, Christmas parties to attend, buy countless presents for your family, and keep your mother-in-law happy! Now that Christmas is behind, it is time to relax. Take a hot bubble bath and read your favorite book. Cuddle up with some hot chocolate under a warm blanket. Make sure to reduce stress and you’ll lower your risk of cancer.

Day 12: Make Yourself a Fruit and Vegetable Smoothie this Fine Sunday Morning

As we know by now, fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants that fight free radicals. This means these foods can prevent cancer development. This recipe for a fruit and veggie smoothiewill bring you a great start to the day! Add some apples, blueberries, carrots, strawberries, and tomatoes. Mix and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed these 12 days of breast health! Have a happy New Year!

Conclusion: Mammograms Save Lives

The absolute value of mammogram screening has been debated for decades.  Opinions have run hot and cold, with supporting and undermining data pulled like arrows from quivers on every hill.  Finally, it looks like the argument has been settled – in favor of mammogram screening.

While there has been no question of the value of mammogram screening in finding breast cancer at an early stage when it is most curable and far more likely to be amenable to breast-conserving surgery and less aggressive treatment, there has been a near biblical disagreement about whether mammogram screening actually saves lives.  Further, the question repeatedly lobbed by those in charge of the pursestrings – government agencies and insurance companies – is, How many women must be screened before one life is saved?  (The unspoken question being, Is it worth it?)

To the opinion that rendered the most recent verdict:

Scientists presented a reconsideration of the literature about the value of mammogram screening at the annual meeting of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on December 11, 2013.  These scientists explained that the wide range of opinion about the absolute value of mammogram screening in preventing breast cancer deaths was largely related to the differences in study design throughout the published literature.  For instance, some studies looked only at younger women; some looked only at older women.  Some studies looked at women who were invited for mammogram screening, while other studies looked at women who were invited but who actually turned up and were screened.   Because the numerous studies conducted in the past to address this question have differed in structure and design, the conclusions drawn from their data were, necessarily, inconsistent.  That explains the confusion.  Now to sort it out:

When the scientists who presented their data in San Antonio this month re-evaluated a series of similar mammogram screening studies, they found that mammograms do indeed save lives.  They also found the that absolute value of mammogram screening (that is, how many women must be screened in order to save one life) was in the range of 64-257, well below the estimates given by other academicians (the Dartmouth group) or the federal government.

In conclusion:  Mammograms save breasts and they save lives too.

Given the overall increasing incidence of breast cancer in the world, and the increasing expense – personal and pubic – of treating this pandemic, mammogram screening appears to be a cost-effective and beneficial public health service.  So, let’s get on with it and do it.

Dr. Kathleen T. Ruddy

PowerPoint Presentation on the Vaccine

By Vera Viner

Please take a look at this PowerPoint presentation outlining some of the basic information about Cleveland Clinic's breast cancer vaccine. Thank you!

Aerobic Exercise, Stretching, and Strength Training Advised for Breast Cancer Survivors

By Vera Viner

Breast cancer survivors often feel relieved after finding out they are cancer-free. One of the biggest goals these men and women have after recovery is to reduce their risk of breast cancer recurrence as much as possible.

One major way to reduce risk of cancer recurrence is to incorporate exercise into your everyday life. Physical activity performed on a regular basis along with a healthy diet have been shown to reduce cancer risk based on multiple studies.

“Several recent studies suggest that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of the cancer coming back, and a longer survival after a cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Kerry Courneya, professor and Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer at the University of Alberta, told WebMD.

However, being significantly overweight and declining to workout has been associated with a higher risk of recurrence and mortality. Staying sedentary should be avoided if at all possible. If you are feeling fatigued, try a simple exercise like stretching or a short 10-minute walk.

“The relationship between physical activity and breast cancer incidence has been extensively studied, with over 60 studies published in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia,” reported the National Cancer Institute. “Most studies indicate that physically active women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than inactive women.”

The three different types of fitness routines cancer survivors should incorporate are: aerobic exercises, resistance training, and flexibility activities like stretching. By incorporating more flexibility training, your body will be more mobile and function correctly.

Aerobic exercise is also vital for a strong cardiovascular system and it will help you lose excess pounds to decrease cancer risk. Make sure to walk daily, bike outdoors or on a stationary bike, swim in your local pool, or jog regularly. Resistance training such as lifting weights will go a long way to increasing muscle mass. Often cancer patients lose muscle mass and gain fat in its place, so resistance exercises could prevent these problems.

“Ideally, cancer survivors should do aerobic exercises and weight training,” Courneya said. “Both types of exercise are critical to the overall health and well-being of cancer survivors.”

The American Cancer Society recommends people to exercise moderately to vigorously for 30 to 60 minutes five times per week. Feel free to start slowly and work your way up to these goals if you’ve never been physically active before.

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to join a gym to be physically active. All you really need is a good pair of sneakers and possibly a watch or pedometer to track how much you’ve been walking every day.

Even if you’re trying to exercise at home, there’s plenty to be done. You can get an exercise mat and use some YouTube stretching exercises. With a light pair of hand weights, you’ll have all you need to remain happy and healthy!

If you are a breast cancer survivor, talk with your oncologist to create an exercise program that’s right for you. You didn’t go through this disease to come out on the other side and sit back on the couch. Make sure to start moving!

Greater Competition Sparks the Market for Breast Cancer Genetic Testing

By Vera Viner

This blog has previously reported on the major news that the Supreme Court invalidated Myriad Genetic’s patents to breast cancer genes found in nature. According to the Business Journal, this has provided a new avenue for one company – LabCorp – to develop a similar product to compete in the market.

LabCorp has recently announced the availability of its BRCAssure tests, which can also be obtained through its specialty testing group. This test will determine whether a subject has a BRCA mutation and are at higher risk of ovarian or breast cancer. Finding out whether one has a genetic link for cancer can help them decide whether to undergo more rigorous and frequent cancer screenings or even a mastectomy.

In June 2013, the Supreme Court declared that Myriad Genetics does not have the right to hold patents on the breast cancer genes and most of the testing associated with these genes. LabCorp has also announced that as many as 145 genetic counselors will be available to help patients and doctors interpret the results of the genetic tests.

However, LabCorp is not the only one jumping into this particular market. There will be plenty of competition. Quest Diagnostics, Pathway Genomics, Ambry Genetics, and GeneDx have all gone forward with developing and launching their own version of the BRCA gene test.

This intense competition is sure to make patient advocates happier, as the cost of testing will likely fall over time. For instance, Quest’s version of the test is already $900 less than the cost of Myriad Genetics’. The diagnostics behind breast cancer risk is evolving as old legal standings fall and the market opens up for additional competition. Due to genetic testing, there also grows a greater movement toward preventing breast cancer before it starts. If breast cancer runs in your family, don’t delay and find out if you are at greater risk.

Giving Thanks for the Breast Cancer Vaccine

By Vera Viner

As the holidays approach, it’s time to give thanks for the many blessings in this world. First and foremost, we must give thanks for Dr. Vincent Tuohy and his work on the first preventive breast cancer vaccine from the Cleveland Clinic.

Additionally, I’d like to thank all of the donors that funded Phase I clinical trials for the breast cancer vaccine. This year, a miracle happened. A ray of sunshine peeked through the clouds. On September 17, the Cleveland Clinic sent forth a press release through media channels that announced there are enough funds to begin Phase I clinical trials of the vaccine and that we are awaiting FDA approval before determining whether the breast cancer vaccine is safe and effective for use in women.

Cleveland Clinic Innovations created a spin-off company called Shield Biotech to work on preclinical development of the vaccine and to seek FDA approval for Phase I clinical trials.

“The mission of Shield Biotech will be to translate the scientific research on a breast cancer vaccine, led by Vincent Tuohy, Ph.D., at Cleveland Clinic, into a viable preventive alternative for the patients who may benefit,” Dr. Thomas Graham, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Innovation Officer, said in the press release. “We believe that the vaccine has the potential to stop the more lethal forms of breast cancer, as well as inhibiting the recurrence of triple-negative breast cancer in women after they have recovered from their initial disease.”

The vaccine, which targets the protein alpha lactalbumin, was shown to be 100% effective in preventing breast cancer in mice bred to develop the disease (Nature Medicine, May 2010). It can also stop the growth of triple-negative breast cancer in mice, which is one of the most aggressive forms of this disease.

For Phase I trials, the vaccine would be used to vaccinate two different groups of women – those who were treated and cured of triple-negative breast cancer and those who are about to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Right now, our goal is to get this vaccine through FDA approval as quickly as possible.

As women are getting diagnosed with breast cancer every day and approximately 40,000 die of the disease in the U.S. every year, it is vital to get this vaccine through FDA approval and to move forward with determining whether it will prevent breast tumor formation. We are so close to finding out whether this vaccine can save countless lives!

Let us give thanks once more for the pure existence of the preventive breast cancer vaccine. Thank you Dr. Tuohy and the Cleveland Clinic research team. Thank you to all the donors. Thank you Dr. Ruddy and the countless number of women around the country for your efforts to get the word out about this vaccine. Without everyone’s participation, we wouldn’t be this close to putting an end to breast cancer. Thank you.

Popeye Knew What He was Talking About: Spinach Prevents Cancer

By Vera Viner

Popeye knew what he was talking about when he encouraged children to eat their spinach. This particular vegetable has an antioxidant that can fight against breast cancer development as well as cancers of the stomach, prostate, mouth, and esophagus. Spinach also has carotenoids that remove free radicals from the body before any DNA damage occurs.

Women should eat spinach or another leafy, green vegetable like kale or romaine lettuce at least twice a week to reduce their breast cancer risk, according to Top 10 Home Remedies. Spinach is also a very versatile food that can be sauteed with your meal, steamed, or put into a soup or salad.

Spinach is full of vitamin C which gives it the green, vibrant color. Additionally, certain molecules found in spinach can help protect the lining of your digestive tract from being damaged, according to The World’s Healthiest Foods publication.

In general spinach is full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients like carotenoids and flavonoids. So feel free to add some baby spinach to your dinner tonight! Take a look at the recipe below for a great side dish to your fish or chicken. (Recipe obtained on Food Network.)

Garlic Sauteed Spinach

Total Time: 10 min

Prep: 6 min

Cook: 4 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds baby spinach leaves

2 tablespoons good olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped garlic (6 cloves)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Lemon

Sea or kosher salt, optional

Directions

Rinse the spinach well in cold water to make sure it’s very clean. Spin it dry in a salad spinner, leaving just a little water clinging to the leaves.

In a very large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and saute the garlic over medium heat for about 1 minute, but not until it’s browned. Add all the spinach, the salt, and pepper to the pot, toss it with the garlic and oil, cover the pot, and cook it for 2 minutes. Uncover the pot, turn the heat on high, and cook the spinach for another minute, stirring with a wooden spoon, until all the spinach is wilted. Using a slotted spoon, lift the spinach to a serving bowl and top with the butter, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkling of sea or kosher salt. Serve hot.