Direct Link for Alcohol Consumption in Women to Breast Cancer

Back in 2009 a study was released that showed even low levels of alcohol consumption for women carried increased risks for developing breast cancer. Despite the importance of the topic, It seemed to sink without so much as a murmur.

In Australia, alcohol is a familiar part of almost every aspect of social life, and sadly, statistics reflect the increased use of alcohol, especially by young women.

Yesterday the Australian Cancer Council released a position statement on the use of alcohol and it's direct link to developing a range of cancers. It's a stark change of policy, and reflects a position that many in the natural health field have held for years.

The report debunks the theory that moderate drinking may also help to reduce heart disease, and errs on the side of abstinence as the best option. It will be interesting to see how the liquor industry responds to this report !

Younger women, blurring the lines between feminism and sheer stupidity, are increasingly drinking their male counterparts under the table, in the mistaken belief that it's almost a badge of honour. TV serials such as Sex in The City glamorise the consumption of alcohol, even further, and cocktails, shots, and schnapps and are now standard fare on an evening out for young groups of women.

What needs to be urgently highlighted is why alcohol affects women quite differently to men. It's obvious that women get drunk quicker, and it's not because they have less body mass. It's more to do with their higher ratio of fat to water, and how diluted alcohol is when it hits the bloodstream. They also have less of an enzyme that helps break down alcohol. New research would indicate that heavy liquor takes a far greater toll on women's bodies more quickly, and as adults, they can develop liver disease 10 to 15 years earlier than men, even though consuming only a fraction of what men do.

Society is paying a huge price for the surge in the binge drinking mentality that now permeates much of the youth of the developed world, and the insane concept that getting 'wasted' equates to a great night out !

Young women are playing a deadly game of Russian roulette with their health and vitality and especially their fertility, by embracing the culture of alcohol consumption, often starting in their early teens.

In my clinic I am increasingly seeing young women in their early to mid twenties, seeking help for a wide range of health issues, related to weight gain, hormonal irregularities, breast lumps, extreme period pain, skin problems, headaches, backaches, mood swings, depression, adrenal burnout and insulin resistance.

The common denominator is often regular alcohol consumption, with frequent episodes of binge drinking.

It should come as NO surprise that the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in younger women, and I believe we are as yet only seeing the tip of the iceberg, in terms of what is likely to come. Women cannot continue to abuse their bodies to such an extent, without paying the piper at some point down the track.

It's time to speak up and start teaching our younger generations, the whole story of what price must be paid by a society that accepts and embraces a culture of alcohol abuse, as being par for the course.

In Good Health
Patricia

New Study Finds Food Packaging Significant Source of BPA Exposure

A joint US study by the Breast Cancer Fund and Silent Spring Foundation about to be published in EHP, a peer reviewed journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, has established definite links to elevated BPA levels, from packaged foods.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound found in some plastic products such as hard plastic baby bottles, water bottles, hard plastic microwavable cookware, some plastic storage bags and containers and in the linings of aluminum cans.

The study aimed to establish the leading cause of BPA exposure, and the article discusses the outcomes, and strategies for preventative measures to reduce potential toxicity.

The reality is that our environment is now a 'pea soup' of chemicals, and whilst there are some who continue to deny the effects of BPA accumulation in body fat, many laboratory studies have linked it to the probable development of breast cancer, and other serious health issues. To read the full report click here .

One of the main trends I see in food preparation today, is the widespread use of microwave ovens, and the accompanying plastic containers and plastic wrap to cover food. A simple change you can make immediately, would be to switch to glass dishes instead of plastic, if you can't survive without the one minute reheat. Pyrex is a great substitute as well, and they usually have covering lids.

Next time you reach for that canned tuna, baked beans, spaghetti, beetroot, or soup mix, remember this article, and think about how you might change your shopping habits to a 'fresh is best' approach.


Yours in Good Health
Patricia

Breast Cancer : Have We Lost Our Way ?

I stumbled across an interesting article out of Germany today, and having read it from top to bottom, just had to share it here. It was written some years ago, but the message remains as pertinent as ever.

It's hard hitting, controversial and has the courage to say many things that I believe people are thinking but not saying out loud, for multiple political reasons. Cancer is an incredibly emotive word, and many who have had a brush with it, will agree I'm sure, that the pressure from mainstream medicine to toe the party line, at times, can be immense.

CHOICE : in the treatment of breast cancer, is almost a dirty word, and anyone proposing to abstain from the conventional route, quickly runs the risk of being ridiculed and becoming a pariah, in the eyes of the mainstream medical establishment. The politics of fear are a powerful deterrant, and not for the faint hearted.

Whilst I respect the medical profession and all the associated modalities that work with cancer treatment, I also believe it's important to look at the entire treatment spectrum available, and I urge you to read this article with a thoughtful and open mind, and share it with those you feel might benefit. Click here for the full article. If you have any further questions feel free to drop me an email at totalhealthoptions@ bigpond.com

Yours in Good Health
Patricia

Breast Inflammation Key to Cancer Growth

In late December 2010, the magazine Cancer Research reported a story on new research just released about a study done at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, that offers some interesting validation to the benefit of addressing early inflammation in the breast, and keeping it under control, as a strategy to prevent breast cancer.

The study was funded by support from the National Institutes of Health, the Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk Medical Research Trust, and a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Researchers from the Nigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences in Japan, the National Cancer Institute, the University of Western Australia, and the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Medical School all contributed to the study.

Click here to read the full article. This is REALLY exciting news !

As part of any consultation I do with a client, this has always been something I place emphasis on. It's important to address any form of early inflammation in the body, and explore strategies of how best to control it. Thermal Imaging allows us to clearly visualise any changes in breast tissue, related to inflammation, MANY YEARS, ahead of potential trouble. As such, it is an extremely valuable tool in maintaining good breast health.

Have you considered trying Thermal Imaging as a screening option? Contact me on info@thermalscans.com.au for further information.

Jamie Oliver speaks on Preventative Health for our Children

If you have never heard of the TED talks, this might be the start of a real love affair for you, in having the opportunity to hear a range of people talk about pressing subjects, close to their hearts.

Renowned chef, Jamie Oliver speaks about the desperate need for us to reclaim the basic life skills of cooking, for our children, if we want to see them live their full potential life span.

It's a riveting 20 minute, from the heart, presentation, and I highly recommend you take the time to listen. As it unfolds, you will come to appreciate the connection between the loss of family time and the rise of obesity, in the Western world, and the accompanying horrendous roll call of chronic diseases.

Click here to listen.

Food Myths Finally Exposed

Wow it's July ! Been a bit of a break since my last post and lots happening in my world but I'll get to that later!

Very encouraging today to see the article in the SMH about the high sugar content in 'low fat' foods. It's an issue that I've been talking about for quite some years now, and as always mainstream media picks it up and suddenly it's 'news' !! Oh well, at least it's getting airplay :-) It's time people learned about what is really the greatest addictive substance on the planet far outweighting, nicotine, narcotic substances and alcohol, in terms of broad mainstream uptake.

This site has a comprehensive overview of what sugar does to the body and mind, and in light of the ever increasing issues with mental health, that our youth appear to be experiencing, one can only wonder if there are other, less well exposed issues that are contributing to the problem.

And in terms of breast cancer and diabetes prevention, this article by Jon Barron, is quite informative.

It's a huge topic, and one whose time has come, and if you'd like further information, don't hesitate to give me a call at the Clinic 02 6655 9400 or drop me an email at info@totalhealthoptions.com.au

As far as new developments, the Clinic will be moving across the hall to larger rooms next week, and there's a new exciting device that I've just become the proud owner of. Start training on it, end of next week, so watch this space for an update of what's happening!

In Good Health,
Patricia

Kiss of Death

It's the stuff of dreams, every girl wants that perfect pout. Imagine knowingly painting your lips every day with a glistening paint that's toxic and every time you lick your lips, swallow a beverage or eat something, not to mention kiss your loved one, it's leaving a trail of destruction.

Might sound a bit dramatic, but that's the reality of what's happening every single day for women who wear lipstick!

This article in today's SMH highlights the problem, and raises the issue of poor manufacturing standards. Who would believe that a product they so trustingly use contains lead ! It's a problem that most women continue to be completely oblivious to, and over time, quite possibly, can lead to a lethal outcome. Toxins accumulate in fatty tissue, stored there by the body, to protect vital organs, but when there is a need for energy production, these compounds get released.

The Townsend Newsletter produced an insightful article in 2007 exploring the potential link between heavy metals and breast cancer, and it doesn't take too much to connect the dots.

Think carefully the next time you apply that thick glossy colour to your lips, about what's really going into your body. There are companies now leading the way in better manufacturing, who have an ethical approach to this dilemma, and it pays to be informed. I'm looking into this further and will write about what I discover in the next week or two.

In the meantime, consider giving the lippie a miss !

In Good Health
Patricia