THE MANCHIN REPORT: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
By Joe ManchinGovernor of West Virginia
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- As I began putting my thoughts together for this column, I realized it was Breast Cancer Awareness month. Interestingly, my mind actually went to thoughts of celebration and joy.
I realized that it is because as I think of many dear friends and family who have suffered through this disease, I celebrate that they are ALIVE and WELL! We know our rates of survival are up; our self-examinations are better; our clinical examinations are more accurate; our surgeries and treatments are more precise and customized, and best of all, the support, resources, and understanding for ladies at all ages are incredible.
From research and studies that are being done, the good news gets better: By making certain lifestyle adjustments, staying up to date on screenings, and taking immediate action if we have a concern, we will continue to improve the odds. This is true even when a mother or sister has had breast cancer, or test results show that we have a genetic predisposition.
The following recommendations -- some tried-and-true, others new and improved -- strengthen our odds against this insidious disease.
EAT WELL! From the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, we certainly broadcast that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is essential for overall wellness. According to Christine Homer, a surgeon and author of “Waking the Warrior Goddess, Dr. Christine Homer's Program to Protect Against and Fight Breast Cancer” (Basic Health), a plant-based diet may also decrease your breast-cancer risk. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals -- Dr. Homer calls them natural medicines -- that perform specific anticancer functions.
GET MOVING! Regular exercise -- even if it's just walking -- may lessen breast-cancer risk, according to a report published last spring in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Of nearly 3,000 women studied, those who performed moderate exercise such as walking three to five hours per week cut their risk of breast cancer by half. According to Dr. Homer, exercise works by boosting immune function and decreasing the amount of "bad" estrogen the body produces.
MODERATE ALCOHOL AND STOP SMOKING! Red wine has been touted as a cancer fighter because it contains antioxidants. But when it comes to staving off breast cancer, the risks of drinking red wine and all other alcoholic beverages may outweigh the benefits. The National Cancer Institute recommends consuming no more than one drink per day. Cigarette smoke is a threat to breast health, as well as health and wellness in general. And the earlier the habit is picked up,the greater the damage.
The more we learn, the more we realize that “healthy” eating and exercise makes us feel better, makes us look better, and certainly improves our odds against not only breast cancer but all diseases we strive to eliminate. While I am not sure of making a medical science breakthrough, I find a piece of delectable dark chocolate at the low ebb in my day a real boost and just tastes good! I guess that goes back to the old adage” “Moderation in all things.” Have a great month and celebrate life at every age!