What do you think???

Jackie07 · 02-10-2008, 06:54 PM

I have found this on the Johns Hopkins site. It does provide some
kind of advice on how to avoid the problem.

Jackie07 · 02-10-2008, 06:59 PM

Johns Hopkins denied it because it was listed on the Mayo Clinic site.

Jackie07 · 02-10-2008, 07:10 PM

Sorry. I meant that I found the answer posted by the Mayo Clinic people.

Gerri · 02-10-2008, 07:26 PM

I think your girlfriend is doing you a huge disservice by sending you this. You are in a very vulnerable condition and she should be offering you encouragement, not feeding your feelings of despair. This is similar to the claims that lead in certain lipsticks causes breast cancer. A copy of this email appeared in my mailbox at work. Let me tell you, I was more than a little pissed off. Lipstick causes breast cancer - c'mon people, let's use our heads. The same thing happened when Cheryl Crow came out saying that plastic water bottles left in cars contain carcinogens. Breast cancer happens - pure and simple.

Here is the link to Johns Hopkins website denying the claims.

http://www.jhsph.edu/dioxins

If it doesn't work, just go to the website. The link is on the Home page. This claim is a hoax - don't be taken in by false claims.

Bellydancer: We do what we have to to get rid of this beast. Yes, some changes in lifestyle are necessary but unfortunately the road we must travel is not an easy one. It sounds like you need to see your onc regarding the difficult time you are having with your treatment.

Don't give up. In the end it is all worth it. Take good care.

All my best,

~Bellydancer~ · 02-12-2008, 09:42 AM

I don't think that she meant harm. I know that she is shocked at the news and is trying to help. I was hoping for some discussion on dietary and lifestyle changes used in conjunction with this "Western" approach. It does make sense does it not, when you think about how many of us use ready made, everything is processed and quick and easy. I had longed for the day when I could be a "Mom" and take care of my family. I love to cook and bake, cleaning is another story, but I love to make from scratch everything. Because I was working full time I got "lazy" and didn't do as much because of lack of time.
My questions are why are so many young women get Dx with BC? What is different, is it the food, lifestlye choices, Birth Control Pill? Microwaves WHAT? I also wonder about long term health. I am overwhelmed about all of this info. I read about Mets and reccurence. I thought that I was going to be "cured" after my surgery and some chemo. Am I deluding myself? I really felt that this was my fork in the road and I had a choice to make. My Grandma had BC when she was in her late 60's she did have a reccurence but was treated with surgery(Mast) and RAD. (The Doctor initally only choose to do a lumpectomy.) She now 93 yrs. PTL

Gerri · 02-12-2008, 10:37 AM

Hi Michelle,

First off, I hope you are feeling better. You seem to have been hit really hard by your treatment. I hope you can hang in there and finish what your onc has recommended. Have you found something to help with your nausea and vomitting? There are a lot of drugs out there, hopefully you will find the one that is right for you.

I'm sure your friend meant well, but sometimes I get a little crazy with all the bogus claims floating around. When I was first dx'd I got emails, and suggestions from family and co-workers of what I should or should not do to get rid of my cancer. I thanked them, but let them know that for me an aggressive, scientifically based treatment plan was what I chose to follow - poison, if you will. I feel that I did everything possible to get rid of my cancer, and if God forbid, it comes back I won't ask 'what if'. I did what I had to do and just hope and pray it was enough.

Why are more young women getting bc? Great question, but I don't think there is a simple answer. Environmental? Probably. Pestisides, hormones fed to animals that we use for food - they probably all play a part. But why do some women get bc and others don't? That is the question. Why do women who are vegetarians and lead active lifestyles still get bc? How do women considered to be in the high risk group manage to avoid it? I don't know, but I wonder if it is a combination of lifestyle, environment and our genetic makeup. Hopefully someday (in my daughter's time) there will be answers. For now, we just do the best we can, try to eat 'right' and hope for the best.

I know this is scary stuff but I truly believe that we are 'lucky' to have gotten bc today (as opposed to five years ago) because of the treatment options we have now. So many new drugs coming out every day, and many of them targeting HER2+.

Hang in there, and get the help you need to get through this. It does get better.

All my best,