Cancer survival rates better with early detection
by KC Jones, ne news editor

    October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The predominate fact that all the experts want to proclaim is the importance of early detection. Prevention is another important issue that women and men both should strive to implement.

    According to the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, an estimated 192,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur during 2001 among women in the United States.

    The American Cancer Society estimates 40,000 women will die from breast cancer during 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women 15 to 54.

    Men can get breast cancer; however, females are 100 times more likely to get it. This year, 1,500 new cases are estimated for men with 400 resulting in death.

    The first line of defense for early detection of abnormalities is the monthly breast self-exam. Mostly, the women who examine themselves are the ones who discover breast lumps. It is very important to begin a routine of monthly self-exams to detect any changes in the breast. As a woman becomes familiar with the contour and texture of the breasts, it will become easy to discover any problems.

    Materials on how to perform breast self-examinations can be obtained from any of the TCC health centers.

    The top risk factors are out of one’s control. Females over 40 should be aware of the risk increase. Of women who have breast cancer, 77 percent are over 50. A family history that includes a mother or sister with breast cancer doubles the risk.

    Some risk factors are influenced by ingestion of certain substances. Oral contraceptive use or hormone therapy longer than five years results in a slightly greater chance of developing breast cancer.

    Alcohol consumption of two to five drinks a day increases the risk by 150 percent. Obesity, low fiber and high-fat diets are also associated with increased risk of breast cancer, especially in women after menopause. Physical inactivity can also increase risk.
    According to Judy Brady, a keynote speaker at the World Conference on Breast Cancer, July 1999, the American public is consuming several chemicals that contribute to the escalating rate of breast cancer

    “The bovine growth hormone is now prevalent in American milk. Monsanto has not yet given up trying to get that same substance into Canadian milk though Canada has so far refused to be a market for them. Bovine growth hormone has, by the way, been linked to breast cancer in women,” she said.

    Monsanto is the company that produces and markets the pesticide Roundup, the active ingredient being glyphosate. A study in Sweden made a conclusive link between exposure to glyphosate and lymphoma, an extremely deadly cancer. Cases of lymphoma have increased by over 80 percent in the last 25 years.

    Monsanto also is the Japanese corporation that has pushed the controversial aspartame on the unsuspecting American consumer.

    Roundup is also the principal pesticide used in Florida orange groves.

    Ironically, the American Cancer Society has made a lot of money by endorsing Florida orange juice as cancer prevention while remaining oblivious to the chemical contamination of cancer causing glyphosate.

    Soybeans are now being genetically engineered to withstand the onslaught of Roundup that kills weeds.

    Another tragic irony is while soybeans contain cancer-preventing properties, especially in regards to breast cancer, they may be introducing other cancers since many farmers are saturating their fields with glyphosate.

    Consumers need to be cautious of what they expose themselves to as well as their environment. Since many contaminates are hidden in the very food consumed, it is important be aware of any changes in the body.