October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!
I know most of you know that. Pink ribbons are everywhere. I love the awareness part, but not so much the pink ribbon. Here is more information why.
Because the statistics say 1 out of 8 women reading this blog will have breast cancer in their lifetime, I feel called to share the things I have learned along the way. 85% of the women diagnosed have no family history of it. Having been a miracle two times now, I'd like to offer some ideas to reduce the risks to our bodies.
Are you at risk?
Are your hormones high? Have your hormones checked next time you are getting blood work. I never knew to do this and my hormones were 5 times the acceptable range when I had cancer.
Are you overweight? I was. Ask yourself if you are more than 60 pounds over the weight you were at 18 years old. Fatty tissue makes estrogen, so this will put you over your body’s desired amount for estrogen. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly minimize your risks.
Do you have dense breast tissue? A routine mammogram will discover what kind of breast tissue you have. I recommend thermography instead, but either way, discuss your breast tissue with your doctor.
Do you watch your environment and lifestyle? How we eat, what we put on our bodies and how we live does largely affect our risk of breast cancer. These are the biggest areas we can change. Exposure to solvents, plasticizers and other industrial chemicals in the products we use can increase our vulnerability. Pesticide residue on the foods we eat is included in this.
So avoid . . .
- cigarette smoke (even smelling it)
- processed foods (everything on the inside aisles of the grocery store)
- hormone replacement therapy (that includes the pill)
- more than one alcoholic beverage or cup of coffee a day (not my coffee!!!)
- non-organic produce (eat mostly fruits and veggies!)
- chemicals like parabens or BPA that mimic estrogen in products (check your shampoo, make-ups, lotions, etc)
- stress in your life (learn to make margin)
I know it’s a long list, but if only someone had told me!
God has a plan in all things and I believe, for me, it is my job to help inform you all! God has given us many resources in this world to combat the evil of breast cancer. Yes, I think it is evil and reminds me a lot of sin. He has given us wonderful food to eat – his food that comes from trees and vines. Not plastic man made food in colorful boxes. He has given us iodine to rub on our thyroid or iodine pills to help regulate our estrogen. He has made curcumin, grape seed extract and pomegranate supplements that help to reduce our risks.
I pray you will make the changes you need to so you will not be one of the eight. I believe God has given us everything we need to live this life. I just wish I had known and changed sooner. Praying for health for each of you reading this!
2 Peter 1:3 Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
~Jeanna Young
When Jeanna is not writing, speaking, event planning, or homeschooling, she can be found scrapbooking her life, redecorating her home, loving on her husband, planning fun events for her kids or eating healthy to stay cancer-free!
