1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life.Weight gain in midlife, independent of BMI, has been shown tosignificantly increase breast cancer risk. Additionally, and elevatedBMI has been conclusively shown to increase the risk of post-menopausalbreast cancer.

2. Minimize or avoid alcohol. Alcohol use is the most wellestablished dietary risk factor for breast cancer. The Harvard Nurses'Health study, along with several others, has shown consuming more thanone alcoholic beverage a day can increase breast cancer risk by as muchas 20-25 percent.

3. Consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Eat sevenor more servings daily. The superstars for breast cancer protectioninclude all cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brusselssprouts, cauliflower) ; dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach) ;carrots and tomatoes. The superstar fruits include citrus, berries andcherries. Note: it is best to eat cruciferous vegetables raw orlightly cooked, as some of the phytochemicals believed to offerprotection against breast cancer are destroyed by heat.

4. Exercise regularly the rest of your life. Many studies haveshown that regular exercise provides powerful protection against breastcancer. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity (briskwalking) five or more days a week. Consistency and duration, notintensity, are key!

5. Do your fats right! The typeof fat in your diet can affect your breast cancer risk. Minimizeconsumption of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseedoils), saturated fats and trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, laketrout and herring). Consume monounsaturated oils (canola, olive oil,nuts/seeds, avocados) as your primary fat source, as these foods havepotential anticancer properties. Specifically, canola oil is a goodsource of omega-3 fats; extra virgin olive oil is a potent source ofantioxidant polyphenols, including squalene; and nuts and seeds provideyou with the cancer protective mineral, selenium.

6. Do your carbs right! Minimize consumption of the highglycemic index, "Great White Hazards" - white flour, white rice, whitepotatoes, sugar and products containing them. These foods triggerhormonal changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue. Replacethese "wrong" carbs with whole grains and beans/legumes. Beans/legumesbecause of their high fiber and lignan content are especially special.

7. Consume whole food soy products regularly, such as tofu, tempeh, edamame, roasted soy nuts, soy milk and miso.Only consume organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) soy. Epidemiologicstudies have shown a positive association between soy consumption andreduced breast cancer risk.

8. Minimize exposure to pharmacologic estrogens and xeno-estrogens.Do not take prescription estrogens unless medically indicated. Lifetimeexposure to estrogen plays a fundamental role in the development ofbreast cancer. Also avoid estrogen-like compounds found inenvironmental pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals.Buy organic produce if you can afford it; otherwise, thoroughly washall non-organic produce. Minimize exposure to residual hormones foundin non-organic dairy products, meat and poultry.

9. Take your supplements daily. A multivitamin, 500-1,000 mg ofvitamin C in divided doses, 200-400 IUs of vitamin E as mixedtocopherols, and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Also take 200 mcg ofthe mineral selenium or eat one to two Brazil nuts as an alternative.If you have a chronic medical condition or take prescription drugs,consult your physician first.

10. Maintain a positive mental outlook. Engage in self-nurturingbehaviors regularly. Develop rich, warm and mutually beneficialrelationships with family and friends. Get adequate sleep (7-8 hoursper night). The mind-body associations with breast cancer aresignificant.

From Ann Kulze, M.D.  Updated October 30, 2009

Ladies it's a new year and again it will be time to get that Mammogram!

Get in and get scheduled!

"15 minutes can save your life"

What Is a Digital Mammogram and How Does It Compare to a Conventional Mammogram?

Answer: A digital mammogram is kind of like your digital camera, the difference between the old film of cameras and a digital camera. So the difference is that we can see the image right away rather than having a piece of film that we have to run through a processor to look at and just like your digital camera we can look at the digital image on a screen and change how light or dark it is, where as a film you can't really change that, you have what you have. So that's the main differences. Digital mammograms tend to be higher in contrast. We know that digital mammograms are better for women who have dense breast tissue, are under the age of 50, or are pre-menopausal. Digital mammography is a little bit more sensitive than film-screen mammography. So if that's available, then digital mammography may be better for you. If it's not available, please still get your regular mammogram. We know that film-screen mammography works to reduce breast cancer mortality.

Benefits of a Digital Mammogram Compared to a Conventional Mammogram

• Improved contrast between dense and non-dense breast tissue
• Faster image acquisition (less than a minute)
• Shorter exam time (approximately half that of film-based mammography)
• Easier image storage
• Physician manipulation of breast images for more accurate detection of breast cancer
• Ability to correct under or over-exposure of films without having to repeat mammograms
• Transmittal of images over phone lines or a network for remote consultation with other physicians

Coping, Surviving, and Moving On From a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis brings many things to cope with, both body and mind.When you are given the news of a breast cancer diagnosis, you may reacton many different levels all at once. Your heart skips a beat, lungsgasp for air, ears block out sound, eyes become still and wet, stomachcontracts, and arms move protectively across your chest. Your mind andemotions wrestle for control, a struggle that may go on until you havetime to adjust.

Whatever you feel upon your initial cancer diagnosis,allow yourself time to process your feelings. You are a unique person,with your own particular set of circumstances, experiences, background,and resources. The journey you're about to embark upon will challengeyou in many ways, and will call upon inner resources that you may notknow you have. Your reaction may vary, since your family situation,support network, workplace setting, financial status, and perceptionsabout cancer are unique to you. You don't have to "do cancer" just likeanybody else has done it -- this is your journey.

You Are Not Alone

It is normal to feel shock, fear, and anxietywhen you receive your initial diagnosis. Such reactions are part of theemotional stages of breast cancer. You may feel isolated by breastcancer when you are initially diagnosed. Cancer may seem to erect awall around you, or label you as damaged, sick, and different. But keepthis in mind: You are still the same person that you were beforediagnosis. Breast cancer will not define you; although it may pare awaypretense, test relationships, and raise unresolved issues, theessential person that you are will emerge.

Remember, too, that when you are diagnosed, you join a great manyother women and men who have been down this road and survived. So asyou go into treatment, plan on being a survivor.

• Emotional Stages of Breast Cancer
• You Are Not to Blame
• Where Have All My Friends Gone?
• Body Image and Self-Esteem

Distress, Anxiety and Getting Help

As the initial shock of acancer diagnosis sinks in, it is common to feel anxious, distressed,fatigued, restless, and distracted. You may have trouble focusing oneveryday tasks, and may even lose interest in basic activities. If youbecome depressed, get help to resolve it. Counseling and medicationsare available to help you cope. Seek out a support group, learn how toexpress your emotions, educate yourself about your diagnosis, and takecontrol of lifestyle factors that can ease your journey.

• Psychological Impact of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
• Ask Your Healthcare Team for Help
• 10 Ways to Cut Yourself Some Slack
• Support Groups for Breast Cancer Patients
• Relationships and Breast Cancer
• Guided Imagery for Stress Relief

Adjustment and Finding Your Inner Warrior

Once you learn moreabout your diagnosis and have a treatment plan mapped out, you maybegin to adjust to your situation. This doesn't mean you will becomecomfortable with cancer, but you may come to accept the fact that youhave cancer. This is a psychologically healthy point at which to findyour inner warrior.

A study done by the National Cancer Institute found that women whoexpressed their emotions, or had other ways to release their feelings,had stronger immune systems. This "fighting spirit" actually made theirbodies more able to combat cancer and endure treatment.

By Pam Stephan

This blog was created as a resource for women that want information on Mammograms
I will be blogging on many important Mammography topics such as:
Reasons To Get A Mammogram.
The Differences Between A Digital Mammogram And A Regular Mammogram.

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.