by Sandra Lebeck

I was about to leave after having a “fitting” when the consultant asked me if I was good with a pen. Huh? What did she have in mind? “Well, I don’t know if I am or not,” was my reply. She said they were always looking for survivor stories for the Touch Of Courage newsletter. My reply was that I really wasn’t a survivor in the “whole” sense of the word as I was diagnosed with cystosarcoma and was one of the lucky ones who didn’t have to do the chemotherapy and radiation. She said “no problem” so I decided to tell you all about this stage of my life.

The time was May 1992. I was 51 years of age and things at that time in my life were going well. I found the lump on my right breast as I was taking a shower, about to go to my cousin’s daughter’s wedding. I had a physical already scheduled the next week so I went to the routine appointment. I didn’t tell the doctor what I had found but he found it right away when he did the exam! So, off to the surgeon I went. Because I wanted to know what the lump looked out, I was not out during the surgery.

When the same-day surgery was performed, they found I had a lump as big as my fist. Its removal left a cave in my breast. Oh well, I thought, at least it was out of my body. I was able to go home early because of no recovery time. Support from family and friends was a great help. My good friend, who had been through it all with me when my first husband died of leukemia in 1978 went with me to the follow up doctor appointments.

I knew about chemo and radiation so I was prepared for the worst. I was newly married and my husband had recently begun a different job so he couldn’t go to the doctor appointments. However, he was always there when I came home. In October of 1994, another lump! Not the way we plan our lives but it was apparently my turn again, so I called the same surgeon that had done the lumpectomy. This time he needed to remove the whole breast.

It was really good to have a very caring cancer support woman come to see me in the hospital. She talked to me and cheered me up - then homeward bound with the drain tubes and all. I remember attending a friend’s wedding with the drain tubes under my shirt. There was also the discomfort of fluid build up and several trips to be taped. But all turned out well.

I appreciate all the new bras and prosthetics that they have designed and improved through the years. The associate always makes me feel comfortable and happy. I just want everyone to do what they tell us - self exams, mammograms, visit your doctor for your yearly physicals and take care of yourself. 

​

Michelle Busch RD, LD

​One day you see the headlines proclaim that decreasing dietary fat will reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Almost the very next day the headline reads, “Dietary fat has no impact on breast cancer risk.” What are you supposed to believe? There’s seemingly so much contradiction, it’s hard to believe anyone knows what they are talking about. Unfortunately, the media does not really help you or me see the real picture. Any new study that makes a good headline hits the papers, often out of context and without regard to the true weight of the information presented.

The cause or causes of breast cancer, and all cancers for that matter, are not completely understood. It seems that a complex interaction of factors likely contributes to its origin. Some of these factors cannot be avoided such as heredity. On the other hand, lifestyle factors can be changed. Will changing your lifestyle prevent cancer? Not necessarily, but it will tip the scales in your favor. There are several things you CAN do that have been scientifically shown to reduce the risk of cancer occurrence and possibly recurrence. Things that have stood the test of time through research, even if we do not yet completely understand why and how.

The science of nutrition and cancer is relatively new and more exciting information is constantly being discovered. As the science develops, we better understand how diet affects health. Remember when all fat was bad? Well, now we understand that there are “good fats” and “bad fats.” The same is being discovered about sources of carbohydrates. Some information may seem contradictory, but in actuality we are gaining deeper understanding as the research continues.

It turns out that exercise may play as important a role in cancer prevention as diet, especially with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society produces guidelines for nutrition and physical activity which are updated every 5 years. Following is a summary of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines approved on May 19, 2006. They can be accessed with more detail on their website, www.cancer.org .

Keep in mind that if you have already been diagnosed with or have a history of breast cancer, it is thought that following these recommendations may possibly prevent the recurrence of cancer. More research is now being conducted on breast cancer survival in terms of diet and exercise. Exercise has been shown to be especially promising in reducing breast cancer recurrence. 

ACS Recommendations for Individual Choices:
• Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
o Balance caloric intake with physical activity.
o Avoid excessive weight gain throughout life.
o Achieve and maintain a healthy weight if currently overweight or obese.

• Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
o Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, above usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week; 45 to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity are preferable.
(My note: research has shown that as little as 10 minutes of activity a day may reduce risk. Some is definitely better than none!!! )

• Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant sources.
o Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
o Eat 5 or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
o Choose whole grains in preference to processed (refined) grains. o Limit consumption of processed and red meats.

• If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption.
o Drink no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men.

Contact a registered dietitian in your area if you would like help in individualizing a diet plan tailored to your needs. To help locate one in your area, check www.eatright.org or call your local hospital. 

​