An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Breast cancer was not likely on the mind of the creator of this ancient proverb. However, as discoveries in oncology are made this truth seems to apply in multiplicity. As we head into the month of October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we would like not only to honor the lives of breast cancer patients and survivors, but the goal of preventing this disease. If a women has a genetic pre-disposition it makes adherence to prevention practices that much more important as we strive to keep these genes from expressing the tendency for the disease. In reality, only 1 in 10 women truly have a genetic marker for breast cancer. So why is the incidence so remarkably high? It certainly appears that environmental factors play an ever important role and even though it is argued that "the smoking gun" has not been found, many researchers have combed through the evidence to see the strong links. The European Union as a whole have made environmental and public health a priority by using the "precautionary principle" to guide regulation of chemicals and this approach may very well be saving lives. According to the State of the Evidence, a report that is compiled by prominent researchers and presented by The Breast Cancer Fund, the trend of breast cancer incidence follows anything but a natural progression. In the U.S., according to this report, "a women's lifetime risk of breast cancer increased steadily and dramatically over the decades of the 20th century. Between 1973 and 1998, breast cancer incidence rates in the United States increased by more than 40 percent. Today, a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer is one in eight."

The onus for the prevalence of breast cancer cannot be placed on any one factor. The key to supporting the concept of prevention is to assess the research as it is and as it comes forth to change the course of this disease. Let's look at a few key actions and behaviors that can make a difference for decreasing your risk.

1. Getting 5 hours of moderate cardiovascular exercise each week.

2. Eating nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day which is not as difficult as you think! Also, make blood sugar control a key part of your daily diet.

3. Reducing your exposure to toxins in the environment by improving water and air quality and using consumer goods such as beauty and cleaning products that are free of problematic chemicals. Eat a mostly organic diet.

4. Getting a consistent 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night and making time for stress relief on a daily basis.

We will be honoring the month with newsletters devoted to this key concept of prevention. Please stay tuned for more in depth information on how to create a healthy environment for you and an anti-environment for cancer. If you are not on our e-mail list and would like to receive our newsletter, please e-mail us at wellness@healthlinksclinic.com.

Got Pain? Use This Spicy Number!

Capsaicin is the phytochemical found in chili peppers which is what gives them their heat! It belongs to a group of plant chemicals called capsaicinoids which have demonstrated the ability to relieve pain topically. Consumption of capsaicin, which can be in high quantities in cayenne, will produce a euphoric sensation caused by the release of endorphins. This may be one reason that some individuals seem so addicted to eating hot peppers to the point of almost crying!

Capsaicin works by activating the chemical terminals of sensory nerves. This increases membrane permeability to elements like calcium and sodium, which trigger the release of substances responsible for the sensations of pain we experience. For example, the pain inside our mouths that occurs when we eat a habanero chili pepper. When we consume hot peppers, this occurs at a high rate to the point where the cells responsible for pain are overloaded and temporarily shut down. Because the effect is not permanent it provides a mechanism of pain relief that is safe for the body.

What is it used for? Capsaicin is used for joint, muscle and general soft tissue pain relief. Cancer patients need to use caution particularly when there is any type of nerve pain as it could aggravate the discomfort. However, it is very effective as a short-term solution to arthritic pain, muscle discomfort and other soft tissue structures. Capsaicin comes in the form of a cream with the recommended starting dose of 0.025%. It can elicit quite a burning sensation so apply a small amount and adjust as you understand your tolerance level. If the above dose is ineffective you can use a cream with 0.075% capsaicin. You can find it at drug stores and health food stores. However, purchasing it at a health food store may be the way to go as the ingredients list may contain less of the undesirable chemicals to be wary of.

So give it a try, could make a world of difference for your pain!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 with the original goal of promoting mammography as an effective tool in saving the lives of women. We think it's aim should be ever bigger as we discover that this disease is multi-factorial in origin.

The environmental causes of breast cancer are many. Poor diet, environmental toxicity, lack of physical activity and few outlets for stress that our bodies are poorly prepared to relieve; are forcing too many women to face a life threatening disease at a very young age. According to a large body of evidence, only 1 in 10 women have a genetic pre-disposition for developing breast cancer. The issue isn't one of blame, it's one of awareness that gives us the answers for increasing survivorship and decreasing cancer incidence.

In October's newsletters, we will be highlighting the strong evidence base that supports the lifestyle habits that truly make a positive impact on the course of this disease. First, we will present the data on the role of nutrition and how you can adopt an eating plan that supports this. Secondly, we will show you why we know that exercise is a critcal player in cancer survivorship and how you can incorporate the right kind to help you feel and be more healthy. Please stay connected so we can educate and make a difference in our community and the larger community of breast cancer survivors. Please share Healthlinks with your friends and family so that we may help those impacted by cancer to survive and thrive in their journey!

The Gluten and Dairy Connection - More Than Coincidence?

Doesn't it seem that whenever there is a request for gluten-free, it is often accompanied by a request for dairy-free? If this is familiar to you, there is more to it than just a trend. The collection of health issues associated with gluten encompass a number of different symptoms and the way these are classified depends on the area of the body that is affected. In addition, some health care practitioners will only acknowledge certain manifestations of the gluten response. Celiac disease is diagnosed when the villi of the small intestine are damaged by gluten, as shown through biopsy. Villi are tiny finger-like projections on the lining of the intestine that help "grab" nutrients so they may be absorbed. There are a number of blood tests to determine if the immune system is reacting to wheat and possibly some components of gluten, but the tests are far from standardized giving rise to a lot of confusion as to how to assertain the correct diagnosis. These tests are where the gray area of gluten intolerance comes into play. However, we are learning that gluten reactions are manifesting in such varied ways that it seems hard to keep pace with these new discoveries.

For many individuals who have discovered a reaction to gluten, whether by trial and error or diagnosed through testing, are finding they are not very tolerant to dairy products as well. These reactions can vary from digestive upset to skin problems to respiratory dysfunction. There is, in fact, a reason for this relationship. The sugar lactose, which is found in milk products, must be digested using the enzyme lactase. Lactase is produced on the tips of the intestinal villi. If the villi are damaged which will initially involve the very end of these structures, then the necessary enzyme is unavailable leading to digestive upset. Another possible mechanism of dairy intolerance is the protein casein which is found in most dairy products. In individuals who have a negative reaction to gluten, the integrity of the intestinal lining is often compromised which creates a condition called "leaky gut" or increased intestinal permeability. This condition allows large protein molecules through the wall of the intestine rather than their broken down components of amino acids. This protein exposure to the immune system is not normal with a healthy digestive tract and can lead to a heightened immune response and subsequent damage to healthy tissue in the body. So the correlation between these 2 food stuffs is more than trend.

If you are noticing a change in your digestive health, or other unexplained symptoms, it is wise to consider consulting with a dietician who can identify possible triggers. Gluten is a food component whose effects may be vastly underestimated. And the cascade of effects are difficult to trace back if the reaction has been long standing. Making a journal of food consumption and symptoms may help you see patterns that validate taking action to get yourself tested. Talk to a dietician who you know has researched this topic exhaustively. This issue is much broader than has been established in the health news. Be diligent so you don't suffer when there are solutions that can bring you vibrant health once again.

Expert Advice: Flying and Lymphedema

You may have seen the NY Times article on this very subject. For individuals with cancer, lymphedema can occur which presents a very significant side effect that may require lifelong maintenance. Lymphedema refers to a swelling of the limbs that occurs as a result of an impairment to the lymphatic system of the body. This can occur in one or more limbs and results in a blockage of lymphatic fluid that builds up if the problem is not addressed. Patients who have had lymph nodes removed, such as patients with breast cancer or those with abdominal cancers, are at increased risk for developing this condition. The diminished capacity of the system due to removal of part of the filtration system is the direct culprit and the area from which the nodes were removed cause the regional dysfunction.

The lymphatic system is critically important to the function of our bodies. It includes lymph nodes and vessels as well as the spleen, thymus, tonsils and bone marrow through which fluid is filtered. The function of lymph fluid is to carry proteins and other waste products back to the blood that are too large to diffuse through the capillaries. The larger blood vessels can then carry these to our waste processing organs. The nodes are charged with the job of filtering bacteria and other foreign matter from the fluid and are ingested by white blood cells. When lymph nodes are removed this processing capacity is reduced and because our lymphatic system has no pump, special care may be necessary to be certain it functions properly. Our blood is circulated by our heart. Our lymph, however, does not have it's own pump. It is circulated by the action of our muscles and deep breathing. Any added load on an altered system can present a challenge. Lacerations, use of needles and even blood pressure readings in a limb near the site of node removal can pose a problem that can lead to lymphedema. Flying has been another topic of discussion that concerns individuals whose lymph systems have been compromised. So what are the necessary precautions one should take?

According to Healthlinks Director and lymphedema specialist Trudy Turvey, "the studies done of late have shown that the risk for developing lymphedema is minimal. The most at risk individuals are those with a high number of lymph nodes removed and those who are overweight. However, there is no study showing that wearing a sleeve prevents lymphedema".

Trudy Turvey, MSPT has specialized in the treatment of cancer patients for over 10 years. If you have lymphedema or are at risk for developing it, take heed of her advice to negate any possibility of having a problem on your next trip.

- move when on the plane
- do your ROM exercises
- avoid lifting your suitcase, especially if you are not lifting that much in an exercise program
- drink lots of water
- avoid salty foods and alcohol.

Safe travels!