just a comment...

Oh BTW, my oncologist (been one for over 10 years) told me the other day that, as of late, she's been seeing more & more younger women come in her clinic & get diagnosed with breast cancer. (Just an interesting comment from my oncologist.)

I dunno why (yea, I should've asked her) but if I had to guess, I would think that it all had something to do with fast-changing, advanced technology. The smarter diagnostic tools become, the earlier they catch on our cancers.

think maybe earlier onset of puberty is part of it? Or perhaps Kylie Minogue/Melissa Etheridge awareness boost.

I think part of the reason is all the toxins, pesticides,chemicals etc. that we are exposed to. It was interesting the discussion about lung cancer being more prevalent b/c increased use of fertilizers in growing the tobacco.

Laurie

Oh, I think that our environment plays a large part of it. For one thing, more women are found doing a double duty -- working job & taking care of kids nowadays. We mainly lived on one-income in the early days. So, more stress on us. Secondly, as we invent "improved" technology, such as making food products in a faster method, our planet is quickly getting crowded with a population. So, more toxins on us.

I was a graphic artist before original diagnosis. I wonder if working in a press area with yucky-smelling paints could have played a part in my case? But then again, I was also born with a few physical disabilities: blindness in 1 eye, a heart murmur, deafness in both ears. I don't have breast cancer in family; however, the genetics counselor told me that my paternal aunt's death from colon cancer was considered sort of as a 'red flag' in their analysis. She reminded me of the fact that, for now, we know only the BRCA gene so far, and there may be other carrying genes that we are yet to be aware of. Just more researching, huh? *sigh*

Well, I could go on & on, trying to figure out how I got breast cancer. But since scientists haven't found the cause of the breast cancer as well as a cure, I am just focusing on living, especially the quality of life!!

It's my opinion, too, for what it's worth, that the food we eat today, especially meat. poulty and dairy, are full of hormones to expedite the growth of the food. Those hormones we take into our bodies have got to make a difference! What can we do? Just read all we can, keep up on new treatments, natural foods, supplements and so on---take charge of our health as much as we can, and remember lots of prayer and positive thinking! One thing is for certain, we are not going to get out of this world alive---we just have to have the best quality of life possible, and that includes how we treat others who share this earth. It is my understanding both from science and the scriptures that man's allotted time on earth is naturally 120 years, so our bodies have the ability to fight off diseases if we give them every chance and if our spirits are strong. If anyone can do it, the wonderful women ( and men) on this board can---we certainly have strong positive spirits and determination! You continue to amaze me and I am so happy that I know you all! Love, Tricia

As a young person recently diagnosed (okay, young for bc at 35) I don't really spend a lot of time wondering why this happened-- I am a vegetarian of 20 years and a life-long athlete-- something obviously went 'wrong' but I'll never know what it is. If anything, I would place my bet on the one risk-factor that I have-- the fact that I haven't had children yet. I wonder if with women starting to have children later in life, if this isn't what is tipping the scales for some of us.

That said, I have a remarkably healthy family-- for the past three generations people have been living into their 90s. I found one great-aunt with bc-- she kicked its butt and lived a long life. So maybe I'm just taking the statistical bullet for the rest of them.

Saleboat, you'll lick it, too! You have a whole lot going for you! Hang in there and just look forward with lots of prayer and positive thinking! The sharing and caring on this web site will keep you going and you'll learn new things every day! I've been fighting BC for 20 years and am stage IV NED again as of this week! If I can do it at 75 you can, too, and yes you are a very young person! Best wishes, Tricia

Tricia-- thank you for your note of encouragement. And I'm thrilled to hear of your success of 20 years...thanks for keeping us all inspired. And yes, I'm planning to live into my 90s...despite this dx, I still sometimes feel invincible. Fingers crossed! Jen

There is no doubt in my mind that the toxins that we are all increasingly being exposed to has a lot to do with developing cancer. Exposure starts in the womb! There isn't a living creature on earth tody that doesn't have traces of DDT in their system!

I try to live as carcinogenic free life as possible. I try to eat organically grown fruits, and vegtables. This is becoming easier as more organically grown poduce is available in regular supermarkets at competitive prices.
It is impossible to escape 100%, without leaving the planet. I like to support the organic food industry as much as I possibly can.

I thought that there was a link between the hormones fed to dairy and beef cattle had something to do with girls today reaching puberty earlier.

Davlin