The Sisterhood of the Expanding Malignancy: Breast Cancer

BRADENTON: ”Being diagnosed with breast cancer is like being accepted into a sorority – except no one really wants to join,“ said school board member Karen Carpenter, who recently finished her radiation therapy. ”A hundred years ago people with the disease were shunned, but today, there is a huge amount of support for people undergoing treatment.“

The month of October has been recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Since the designation 25 years ago, companies, organizations and individuals have jumped on the ”awareness“ bandwagon. Products, people and advertisements adorn the recognizable pink ribbon in order to boast profits, provide support and inform the public just how serious the disease really is. Yet, some organizations feel while more support goes into awareness, it is doing nothing to prevent the disease from affecting more people.

”To put all this attention into awareness is nothing but hype,“ said Dr. Susan Silberstein, CEO of www.BeatCancer.org and author of Breast Cancer: Is it What You're Eating or What's Eating You? ”Prevention is the cure. Awareness is not the same as prevention. “ 

Since the 1970s, the amount of women with the disease has increased. Today about one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Even more disturbing is that breast cancer is now affecting men. Approximately 2,140 cases were diagnosed in men this year alone.

The only known decrease in the disease occurred in women aged 50 or older from 1999 to 2005. Specialists theorize it was due to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy after the results of a large 2002 study, called the Women’s Health Initiative, suggested a connection between HRT and increased breast cancer risk, according to www.BreastCancer.org.

”While awareness is good because more young women are getting their routine check-ups and being diagnosed at an early stage, all the women that already have cancer are left in the dirt,“ said Silberstein. ”It is very important for women that are diagnosed to eat healthy and be in supportive relationships. It’s more than just awareness.“

Carpenter said that the widespread awareness helped her maintain a positive outlook throughout the duration of her treatment. While school board staff agreed to protect her privacy in the event of a meeting absence, Carpenter felt they should tell the public what was going on in her life -- a choice that she benefited from.

”People would send me cards or share their experience,“ said Carpenter. ”That, to me, is a really loving way to help someone. I was surprised how many men and women were so supportive.“

Death rates have been decreasing since 1990 – especially in women under 50. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, but Silberstein believes that dietary counseling about prevention should also be included in the awareness craze. Her website, www.BeatCancer.org, offers personalized free counseling sessions to advise women on making changes in their diet. The adaptations are proven to prevent reoccurrence, slowdown progress and ultimately help reverse the diagnoses. The organization has trained over 50,000 people nationwide.

”75-80 percent of women are getting cancer from lifestyle factors,“ said Silberstein. ”We need to teach women how to fight this. Around 70 percent of breast cancer deaths can be prevented through diet alone.“

Foods that are high and saturated fats like hamburgers, French fries, and cheese are the number one cancer enhancer claims Silberstein. The second biggest risk is plant oils like corn syrup that include omega six oils. Some forms of dairy, caffeine, peanuts, sugar and chocolate can also enhance the risk of cancer cells. Even one alcoholic beverage per day can increase the chances of breast cancer by up to 60 percent, according to Silberstein.

Adopting a diet of high-fiber and eating broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower can help prevent breast cancer. Flax seed, garlic and red fruits and vegetables can also prevent the risk of reoccurrence.

”We offer counseling so women can actually personalize their diet to fit their lifestyle,“ said Silberstein. The service is provided on a donation basis.“

Carpenter found a diet of two ice cream sandwiches a day helpful for her sickness. It was just a treat that made her feel good after long days of radiation therapy.

”There is a lot of cancer around, but there is a lot of technological advancements too. This is 2011, it’s not the 50s anymore,“ said Carpenter. ”The medicine and support out there now is amazing. No one wants cancer, but when you get it, you deal with it and life goes on.“

Supporters should go on flying their pink ribbon and jumping on the breast cancer bandwagon because the so-called sorority may not offer all the answers, but it has made a difference in the lives of many. In 2011, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.