FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Why You Need to Exercise, Sleep Well, and Brush Your Teeth

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

There is a lot of health advice out there, and boy do I have plenty to spare. As Thanksgiving rolls around, we can all, hopefully, be thankful for our good health. To remain happy and healthy there are three things you need to do: exercise, sleep well, and take care of your teeth.

We have known for a while now that vigorous exercise can help prevent breast cancer, but new research performed by the National Cancer Institute shows that getting enough shut-eye is necessary for the benefits of all your hard work to stick. Not getting adequate sleep can practically negate the benefits of exercise in lowering your breast cancer risk. I knew that not sleeping well increased breast cancer risk, but am a little surprised that it can negate exercise. Hopefully, exercising vigorously will help us all sleep solidly through the night. One thing that has helped me is getting rid of my digital alarm clock with its bright blue display.

To get the skinny on brushing your teeth,

Migraines Decrease Breast Cancer Risk

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Migraine sufferers take note! In an odd twist of hormone level functions, it looks like your pain might be protecting you. A new study discovered that women who have a history of migraines also have a 30 percent lower risk for developing breast cancer. Cancer researchers know that high levels of estrogen in the blood can increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. The thing about women who suffer from migraines is that they generally have low levels of estrogen. Even though the low levels of this hormone may trigger these agonizing episodes, it may also act as protection from the disease. This new data doesn't do much to help stop migraines, but it may help point researchers in new directions when it comes to finding ways to preventing certain types of hormone-related breast cancer.

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Another Reason to Exercise: Prevent Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

October may have been Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we've all been affected by the disease in one way or another and it's important that we keep on top of breast cancer news and research throughout the year as well.

Researchers have recently found that the higher a person's body mass index, the more likely she is to develop breast cancer. Obese women are also more likely to live shorter lives and suffer a recurrence of their cancer, and may also get a more deadly form of breast cancer (inflammatory breast cancer).

On the flip side, a separate study has found that vigorous exercise (running, fast jogging, aerobics, bicycling on hills, etc.) can reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 30 percent in normal-weight women.

So the moral of the story is to exercise and try and keep your body weight down as much as possible. The ways in which exercise helps your health far exceeds the annoyance of putting on your gym shoes and pounding through an hour at the gym. It's important that we keep reminding ourselves of this from time to time.

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Speak Up: How Have You Been Affected by Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:31:00 -0700

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close, but I know for many of you, you don't stop thinking about breast cancer when the month of October draws to an end. It's disheartening that breast cancer is so prevalent, and I'm sure every one of you knows someone who's been diagnosed, has recovered, or lost the battle against this horrible disease. Many of you have stories to share, and by letting others know it increases awareness about breast cancer and connects us in some way. For me, knowing that I'm not the only one with close friends affected by this disease makes it a little more bearable. So tell me, how have you been touched by breast cancer?

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Fact or Fiction: Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let's see what you know about this deadly disease. I've listed some statements about breast cancer. You decide which ones are fact and which ones are fiction.

Question 1

1 of 8

Men can get breast cancer.

Shower Clock Prevents Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

OK, well, maybe it doesn't scientifically prevent breast cancer cells from forming, but what it does do is remind you to do your monthly breast exams. We all know we should be doing them religiously so that we know instantly if something doesn't feel right, but it can be tough to remember every month. So the Cue Shower Clock ($25) does the remembering for you.

It suctions to the wall of your shower and all you do is set the clock to remind you seven days after your period, or if you don't have one you can choose the same day every month. I love that it can also remind you when it's time to go for your annual exam. The clock can work for up to four users, so if you live with other women or have daughters, you can encourage them to get in the habit, too.

Do you have a less techy way to remind yourself to do your self-breast exam. If so, share it below.

Does Eating Soy Cause Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I will admit that soy scares me a little. I know it's an inexpensive, cholesterol-free source of protein that can be enjoyed in so many ways from tofu, to soymilk, from edamame, to soy ice cream. I've also heard that eating too much soy has been linked to breast cancer. That's because soy contains phytoestrogens, a group of chemicals that mimic the hormone estrogen. Women need estrogen to regulate their menstrual cycles, have babies, and it's also involved with bone and heart health. Some experts are concerned that these phytoestrogens will stimulate the growth of estrogen-sensitive cancers since high exposures of estrogen over a woman's lifetime are linked with an increased risk for breast cancer. Others may argue that these plant-based estrogens may actually prevent breast cancer since they block the activity of the stronger human estrogen.

So what's a soy lover to do? To find out

The Skinny on: Breast Cancer Diets

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

In case you missed it, it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October is dedicated to highlighting this disease, which will affect one out of eight women. They say you are what you eat, but the connection between diet and breast cancer prevention is confusing to say the least.

An article over at Nutrition Data helped me sort out the topic, although there really is no clear-cut answer. The two most researched dietary links to breast cancer are low fat diets and soy products. Although cultures with high fat diets have a higher incidence of breast cancer, there have been no clear-cut conclusions from clinical trials on this subject. There are two sides of the debate on soy products. Since soy contains phytoestrogens, which act as weak estrogens in the body, it is thought to either stimulate estrogen-related cancers, like breast cancer, or to help prevent them. Once again there is no conclusive evidence either way, and most experts feel that soy products are fine in moderation.

These ambiguous conclusions don't mean that you are completely powerless in trying to prevent breast cancer. To see what you can do, just

Does Wearing a Bra Cause Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I know it seems crazy, but there's a rumor buzzing around that wearing a bra regularly can cause breast cancer, and that underwire bras are the worst culprits. Some folks worry that wearing a bra all day compresses the lymphatic system of the breast, resulting in accumulation of toxins that cause breast cancer. Just about every woman I know wears a bra, so are we all at risk? It doesn't make sense because men can get breast cancer too, and they don't wear bras. At least I don't think so.

Here are some comforting words straight from the American Cancer Society: "We do not know of any epidemiologic studies published in scientific journals that suggest bras directly contribute to breast cancer risk or that lymphatic compression by bras might cause breast cancer. "

So there you have it. Good thing too because the idea of going bra-less all the time doesn't sound too comfortable to me. Could you imagine running without a bra? I'm a huge fan of supporting whatever you got, and I'm psyched to pass on the info that wearing any kind of bra doesn't increase your risk of breast cancer.

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Birth Size and Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

And you thought your relationship to your mother was already complicated. Last year we learned that the size of your mother's hips might affect your risk for breast cancer. Daughters born to mothers with wide hips, according to a Finnish study, are three times as likely to develop breast cancer. New research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine adds more insight to the mother-daughter breast cancer connection. This time, however, the factors putting you at risk are your birth weight and birth length.

After analyzing data from 32 studies that evaluated more than 22,000 cases of breast cancer among more than 600,000 women, this study found that baby girls born weighing 8.8 pounds or greater had an increased chance of developing breast cancer, by 12 percent. If the baby girl was born long, measuring over 20 inches in length, her chance of developing the disease rose by 17 percent. While those numbers seem high to me, the epidemiologist behind the study feels they are quite modest and should not be a large concern for women that were considered large or long babies.

The connection between birth size and breast cancer is not understood, but could be related to high estrogen levels in the womb. These research findings are interesting, but have not yet affected the medical and screening practices for breast cancer. In other words if you weighed over 8.8 pounds at birth, you need not rush out for a mammogram. However, these findings could be a piece of the ever complicated puzzle of this disease.

For more information, visit the FitSugar Health Guide section on breast cancer.

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Ellen DeGeneres Joins the Anti-Breast Cancer Campaign

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Funny lady Ellen DeGeneres is getting serious about breast cancer. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she's recorded a series of phone messages urging women to help themselves fight this disease, the second most lethal kind of cancer affecting women. You can go online and send phone messages to your friends and family from Ellen that say, "Hi, this is Ellen DeGeneres and (insert your name here) told me to remind you that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you should schedule a check-up with your doctor."

Vitamin maker One a Day asked Ellen to join their campaign to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Ellen was happy to be on board since she likes to support an anti-breast cancer program each year. This issue is close to her heart since her own mother had a mastectomy 30 years ago. It's touched her family and she's well aware that she could be next. Since Ellen is so vulnerable to breast cancer, she gets a mammogram every year, and she's encouraging fellow women to be proactive about their breast health.

I just sent a message to my sister and it only took a minute!

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October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Today marks the first day of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a yearly international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, and cure. When it comes to breast cancer prevention, early detection through monthly self-breast exams and annual mammograms for women over 40 is key. So take this as your friendly reminder to take charge of your breast health.

Knowledge really is power, and having access to facts and support when dealing with breast cancer is imperative, so check out these helpful links from well-known websites:

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization (NBCAM): Info on early warning signs of breast cancer, male breast cancer, and current news articles about the disease
Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Info on how to prevent breast cancer, different types of treatments, and a list of complimentary therapies

For more helpful links about breast cancer

Christina Applegate Stands Up to Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Who would have thought that the ditsy and carefree character Kelly Bundy in the hit TV show Married . . . With Children would ever receive such shocking news. The actress, Christina Applegate, known also for her roles in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early enough through an MRI her doctor ordered, so the cancer isn't life-threatening and a full recovery is expected.

Christina is appearing on a one-hour TV special called “Stand Up To Cancer” to talk about her experience with breast cancer. It's airing on Sept. 5 to help raise funds for cancer research, and to increase awareness about this disease. Hopefully they'll talk about the importance of early detection and how necessary it is to have a doctor check you out if breast cancer is in your family, or if you've felt something you're concerned about.

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What If You Do Find a Lump?

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

A few weeks ago a study stated that self-breast exams didn't save lives, but I am not buying it. Many women I know have caught their breast cancer early because they did monthly exams. So if you're still a believer and continue to check yourself monthly, you should be reassured to know that most lumps you find aren't cancerous. Here's what you may feel according to Living.Health.com:

A soft lump: It's smooth and round (like a grape), and it moves a little when you press on it. This lump may be painful to the touch, and it can range in size from small to large. It could be a cyst or sacs filled with natural fluid, but you should get an ultrasound just to be sure. If it is a cyst, your doctor may recommend that you go on the Pill to lower your chance of developing cysts.

A hard lump: This will feel like a clearly defined smooth, hard, rubbery, round lump. It could be small like a pea, or up to five inches wide. If you can move it around under your skin and it doesn't hurt, then it sounds like it's a fibroadenoma, which is a noncancerous tumor. They're not as common as cysts, but not uncommon for women in their 20s and 30s since they're caused by hormonal changes. Of course, it's best to have your doctor take a look and perform some tests just to make sure.

To find out what else you may feel and what it means

Self Breast Exams – No Longer Needed?

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you often forget to perform your monthly self breast exams, you can rest easier and maybe even take the item off your to do list. An analysis by Cochrane Collaboration of two large studies on self breast exams (SBE) found that monthly self exams did not reduce breast cancer deaths. Even worse, these self exams lead to increased numbers of biopsies of benign lumps.

Like many women, this news perplexes me. But then again many women are perplexed by SBE to begin with since many lumps and bumps are perfectly normal. Many women are not quite sure how to perform a self exam and what exactly they are feeling for. This might be the reason why SBE aren't helping save lives. While I have friends who have survived breast cancer and these women found the tumors during their monthly breast exams, I still routinely forget to do mine. Due to the experience of my friends, I will continue to periodically do my SBE. A growing number of public health officials believe that unless a woman is highly motivated to do the self exams, due to a genetic risk for breast cancer, that the SBE are not necessary, especially for women in their 20s and 30s.

What do you think of this news? Are you relieved or confused? Tell me in the comment section below.

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Cynthia Nixon Battled Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Sometimes life does imitate art, and not in the ways we like. Actress Cynthia Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer two years, reminiscent of Sex and the City character Samantha Jones' fictional battle with breast cancer.

Nixon kept the matter private while undergoing treatment – a lumpectomy and six and a half weeks of radiation treatment – but now is bringing her story to the pubic by becoming an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen For a Cure. Since her mother had twice battled breast cancer, Nixon began getting annual mammograms at thirty-five, which is beyond helpful since early detection is key to beating breast cancer. Even though we all know we should be doing monthly breast exams, many of us just simply forget. Cynthia is here to remind you to check yourself. Her advice is simple, so let's all follow it. She says," Talk with your doctor, make healthy lifestyle choices and most importantly, know your body as that can make all the difference in the world."

If you forget your monthly breast exam sign up for a reminder here. You know that the ladies of SATC think it is more than OK for you to touch yourself. So do it!

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Start 'Em Young, Protect 'Em Against Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

We all know that exercise helps protect grown women against breast cancer, but according to CNN, new research has found that exercise during the teen years – starting as young as age 12 – can help protect girls from breast cancer when they are grown.

The best results, they say, are when the girl does regular exercise from ages 12 to 22 because it lowers her estrogen levels overall. What's more? Exercising early can also help reduce a girl's risk of obesity and increase her self esteem. If you're already over 22 and have been sedentary most of your life, don't worry: Starting exercise at any point helps your overall health significantly.

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Breastfed Women Have Lower Risk of Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Breastfeeding just got a little better. Recently, we learned that adults who were breastfed as infants have lower BMIs and HDL cholesterol levels, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. That's not the only benefit of breastfeeding. New studies show that adult women who were breastfed as infants may have a 17 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer, as compared to women who were not breastfed. The only hitch is that this doesn't hold true for first-born women — the decreased risk of developing breast cancer was found with women who had three or more older siblings. The benefits of breastfeeding keep expanding.

This study brings up more questions to consider, like does the age of the mother or how long the infant was breastfed have any impact on the risk of breast cancer? I'm sure more studies on this subject will be completed in the not-too-distant future, since breastfeeding is such a hot topic now. It is good for the baby and the mom.

So I'm curious, were you breastfed when you were a baby? Also, if you're a mom, did you breastfeed your babies? If you're planning on being a mom in the future, have you thought about breastfeeding? Share your thoughts about all this mama business below.

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Sleep Tight: Your Health and Your Sleep

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

If you have ever suffered from lack of sleep, you know how vital getting your Zs can be. It can even affect your ability to lose weight. We know that the quality of your sleep is important to your health, but it looks like more than just having a bad mattress can put your health at risk during slumber.

Ambient light during nighttime sleeping could raise your risk for breast cancer. A new study supports the theory that too much light at night interferes with the production of melatonin and increases the risk of breast cancer. Melatonin is a hormone that helps to control the sleep wake cycle and the exact reason dips in this hormone affect cancer rates is still to be determined. Researchers said that nighttime light is not by any means the sole factor in developing breast cancers, but the breast cancer rate in areas with average night lighting was found to be 37 percent higher than in areas with the lowest amount of light.

To see how noise affects your shut-eye, just

ACTivism: Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:30:00 -0800

October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the battle against the disease is fought daily. One great way to join the fight is to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation by participating in the Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk.

This walk sounds incredible. After raising a minimum of $2,200 for breast cancer research and initiatives, you walk 60 miles over the course of three days — about 15 to 22 miles a day. There are events in 14 cities starting in August and running through November. It might seem early to start planning for something happening at the end of Summer, but informational meetings are happening now (here's the link to the calendar of informational meetings). Plus you are going to want to train because that is half the fun. Plus we all know there are great health benefits to regular walking. Sugar user kscincotta lost 8 lbs. while training last year for her walk! She also raised $8,000 — wow! Good work all the way around!

Want to see if your city is participating? Then just

B Cup, Type A: Personality and Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

In the face of chronic disease, an arm chair analysis of the cause can often lead to a discussion of personality types and statements like, "Her depression lead to her cancer." A new Dutch study indicates that being a type A or type B personality doesn't lead to breast cancer.

This new study followed 9,700 women for thirteen years. The participants, all 43 years or older, were given a personality survey with questions about different traits including anxiety, anger, depression, optimism, and the ability to express emotions.

After 13 years, 271 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers, however, could find no correlation between personality and disease. So be you type A or type B, or any variation in between, your personality is not a factor in developing breast cancer. Red meat on the other hand, is quite a different story.

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City Living and Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

October might have been Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the research is not limited to a month. Researchers are persistent, and a new study gives city living women a reason to stay vigilant too.

New research from the UK indicates that women living in cities have much denser breast tissue than their country living counterparts. Combine this data with the previous research that indicates women with the densest breasts are considered four times as likely to develop breast cancer. There is a relationship between breast cancer and breast tissue.

There are three pieces of information to consider here:

Particles commonly found in air pollution, which is more common in urban areas, often mimic hormones that can interfere with the make up of breast tissue, and create denser tissue.
The more dense the breast tissue is the more difficult to detect tumors and suspicious growths with X rays. Mammograms are a specialized form of X-ray and are considered the most effective way of detecting tumors. Early stage cancer is more difficult to detect in dense breast tissue.
This study was performed on women who reside in London, 972 of them, in fact. An English health survey found that women residing in London were the thinnest in the country. This is important since there is an inverse relationship between breast density and body weight: thinner women generally have less body fat and therefore denser breast tissue.

If you live in a city, take heed. Remember to perform your monthly breast exams and take cancer screening seriously. You should also read 5 Things to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer.

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Breast Cancer: Prevention and Treatment

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Breast cancer is a deadly disease that 12.6% of all women will get in their lifetime.

As women, it's important for us to know all we can about breast cancer, about what we can do to prevent it, and also what to do if we're diagnosed.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take this quiz to test your knowledge.

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Breast Cancer Patients Feel Better With Yoga

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

The one thing we can all agree on is that everyone can benefit from doing yoga. It strengthens our bodies inside and out, and makes us feel relaxed and happy.

A new study has found that special yoga classes, with more restorative poses, can also help women battling breast cancer, especially those not taking chemotherapy. The study included 128 women, and the researchers randomly assigned half to a 12-week yoga program, and the other half were in a control group waiting list.

The classes were offered three times a week, and patients were encouraged to take at least one class a week. This wasn't a typical yoga class. The sequencing of postures was designed specifically to benefit those with breast cancer. During the study, the women doing yoga showed improvement in their quality of life, and in their spiritual, emotional, and social well-being. The more classes they attended, the better they felt.

Yoga programs are increasingly being offered in hospitals and rehab centers to benefit cancer patients, as well as prisoners and women in recovery. Knowing that yoga benefits people in need motivates me to practice even more.

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New Drug Fights Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Breast cancer is a horrible disease that claims the lives of many daughters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and sisters. Anyone can get breast cancer, and over 12.6% of women will be diagnosed with it at some point in their lives. That's why research that finds medicines and treatments to cure this dreadful epidemic are so vital.

I didn't know this, but breast cancer isn't just one disease, but a family of diseases. That means not all tumors are the same, so they respond to different treatments. A new study has found a drug that can cut the recurrence of one type of tumor by 41%.

The drug called paclitaxel, when used with chemotherapy, can target HER2-positive (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) tumors. Of course these findings need to be subjected to further research, but this news gives us great hope. We are learning that there isn't a "one size fits all" type of treatment for breast cancer. With more research, new treatments will be discovered to defeat all types of breast cancer.

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Women's Hips and Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

You wouldn't think that your hips had anything to do with breast cancer, but new research shows a connection. The size and shape of a mother's hips may affect her daughter's risk of breast cancer.

There was a study conducted with 6,370 Finnish women. Those born to mothers with relatively wide hips had a rate of breast cancer that was three times higher than those born to mothers with thinner hips. The rate was nearly seven times higher if the daughter was not the first born.

What constitutes "relatively wide hips"? The widest distance between the wing-like structures at the top of the pelvis is called the intercristal diameter. A woman is more likely to develop breast cancer if her mother's hips have an intercristal diameter of more than 11.8 inches.

Why is that? To find out

Facts and Figures: Breast Cancer Stats

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to test your knowledge about this deadly disease.

Sadly, we all know that it's responsible for taking the lives of many women, and knowing the numbers is another way to become aware and help fight the disease. I must admit that I generally don't find statistics to be very motivational, but these inspire me!

Take this quiz and see if you know the facts and figures.

2 Minute Breast Exam Project

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Even though mammograms are considered the best form of early breast cancer detection, they are not completely accurate. Since early detection of breast cancer is key to surviving the disease, it is important to do all that you can to stay abreast (no pun intended) of the issue. You should do monthly self breast exams (sign up here for a monthly email reminder) and you should receive a clinical breast exam at your annual appointment, be in gynecological visit or your annual physical. The problem is many women don't receive a breast exam, or if they do it is often hurried and brief.

That is where the 2 Minute Breast Exam Project comes in. Dr. William Goodson, who spearheads the project, wants women to know that they should be receiving a full two minute breast exam. That is a full minute per breast. He has even created a video of a two minute breast exam to illustrate how thorough the exam should be. Not only is it informative for self breast exams, but it teaches us to want our doctors to spend time on the exam. Plus, it is important to know that it is not disrespectful of them to do so. In fact it is good medicine.

The Alcohol and Breast Cancer Connection

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought you'd like to know that drinking any type of alcohol adds to the risk of developing breast cancer. We're talking, wine (even red), beer, and liquor. It has nothing to do with the kind of beverage you choose, it's the amount of alcohol you consume that could pose a problem.

Previous studies made a connection to alcohol and breast cancer risk, but there were conflicting views about what kinds of alcohol had this effect.

This new study analyzed 70,033 women of different races, from 1978 to 1985. By 2004, 2,829 of the participants were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers discovered that it didn't matter what kind of alcoholic drinks these women consumed, but the women that drank one to two servings of alcohol a day increased their risk of developing the disease by 10%. Women kicking back more than three drinks a day increased their risk by 30%.

I know that we've all been drilled to think that having a glass of red wine a day is healthy for our heart, but when it comes to breast cancer the same is not true. It's not clear why alcohol increases breast cancer risk, but some experts think it raises hormone levels in the blood, which could potentially cause cancer.

Fit's Tips: As with everything, moderation is the key. Enjoying an occasional drink is fine, but know that pounding a 6-pack every night may increase your risk for developing breast cancer.

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Tea Kettles for a Cure

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

You know that I'm always in the mood for a nice relaxing cup of tea. Now your health can benefit from all the healthy antioxidants found in tea while you benefit others with these tea kettles from a couple of great causes!

Here is the LIVESTRONG kettle by Chantal (for $39.95). A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of this will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which provides funds for cancer research, education and support for those affected by cancer. In the signature "Livestrong" yellow color, this has a 1.8-qt. capacity.
This KitchenAid Cook for the Cure stainless steel tea kettle ($51.99) has pink silicone handles. For every teakettle sold, KitchenAid will make a $5.00 donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for breast cancer research and outreach.

Fit's Tips: What a great gift idea! Buy some of you favorite tea to accompany it and you'll be doing something kind for a friend and helping these foundations too!

Sunscreen and Breast Cancer Risk

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I have heard rumors lately that sunscreen can cause breast cancer. Sounds frightening doesn't it? Our tried and true enemy against skin cancer and wrinkling may be an enemy itself? Well, it doesn't seem to be true, but the answer is a little bit more complicated.

Here's the deal: some ultraviolet (UV) filters used in sunscreen may mimic estrogen according to animal and laboratory studies and thereby disrupt the endocrine system. Just to review a little human biology, the endocrine system uses hormones to regulate functions like metabolism, growth and development. However, there is no evidence that human exposure to these types of endocrine disruptors in the low levels used in sunscreen create health problems. In fact, a study using human volunteers found that even though UV filters were absorbed by the skin, they had no effect on the volunteers over all health or hormone levels, even estrogen.

Hopefully more research will be done on this matter. In the mean time, if you are concerned about messing with your endocrine system look for sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (these block the UV rays rather than filter them), since these ingredients are not absorbed by your skin and they don't mimic estrogen.

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Fat Bastard Wine: Drink for Good

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Looking for another reason to have that glass of wine tonight?

Well, during the months of September and October Fat Bastard (sells for $10.99) will donate 25 cents for every bottle sold to support breast cancer research, education, screening and patient support. So why not have a glass of wine, not only will you be supporting the fight against breast cancer, but one or two glasses are supposed to be beneficial to your health.

Visit FatBastardWine.com to find out where you can buy it.

Santé!

Breast Cancer Linked to Grapefruit !?!

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I just found out some horrible news about a study involving vitamin C packed grapefruit. Eating this refreshing citrus fruit could raise your risk of developing breast cancer, particularly if you are a post-menopausal woman.

How is that possible? I thought all fruits and veggies were considered healthy. Here's the deal. Oestrogen is the hormone associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. An enzyme in your body called Cytochrome P450 3A4 (or CYP3A4) is involved in metabolizing oestrogen. Grapefruit may inhibit the metabolizing enzyme, which in turn makes oestrogen levels in your body rise, which could lead to breast cancer.

The study included 50,000 post-menopausal women and found that women who ate just a quarter of grapefruit a day increased their risk for breast cancer by up to 30%. Researchers are not suggesting you stop eating grapefruit, since more research is needed. These results definitely get us thinking about how our diets can affect our health on a molecular level.

Since these women were over 50, and we know that other lifestyle factors including drinking alcohol, being overweight, and eating red meat have also been linked to breast cancer, I'm going to let this whole grapefruit study pass by and wait for more research. What do you all think?

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Make Your Chest Grow with Lipo?

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Sometimes health headlines sound more like science fiction than fact, and this little bit of news definitely fits that categorization.

Scientists have figured out a way to move fat, mined via liposuction from undesirable body locations like the belly, booty or thighs, and transfer the fat where many ladies want more fat - their breasts!!! Harnessing stem cell technology, scientists can now inject a fat and stem cell mixture into breasts where the mixture encourages new breast tissue to grow. Talk about bosom buddies.

Although the procedure only takes about an hour to implement, one must wait about 6 months for the results to appear. More research is needed, but in the early trials of the procedure, called Celution, have been successful. In one study 19 women in Japan, all of whom had had at least partial mastectomies, all responded well to the treatment, with no major side-effects.

Celution could revolutionize cosmetic surgery and "breast enhancements," making silicone breast implants a thing of past - although the two procedures are similarly priced. While I think this procedure can really help women who have had mastectomies and desire breast reconstruction without taking muscle from another part of their bodies, part of me wishes there was no societal pressure to have "bodacious ta-tas." I guess that wish really sounds like science fiction.

I am curious what you all think about this - let me know in the comments section below.

In Praise of: The Avocado

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I really do love avocados. I might even marry one, that is how deeply I adore this veggie, or technically fruit - but an avocado in any other category would still be just as creamy and delish.

Spring is the season when avocados are at their peak, but since they are grown in California (primarily Hass variety) and Florida (mostly Fuerte) there is usually a decent supply all year round. Since this is their season, I am hoping to see the price fall a bit, because in the off season avocados may be available but pricey.

Aside from their exquisite taste and texture, avocados are chock full of wonderful nutrients. They are high in vitamin K, potassium, and dietary fiber. I love that this smooth textured veggie contains fiber - about 3.5 grams per half cup - a wonderful surprise, I know.

Avocados also contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, the good kind of fat since it may help to lower cholesterol. Plus, oleic acid has recently been shown to offer significant protection against breast cancer - always a bonus for the ladies. Another reason to add avocado to your salad is that it increases your body's ability to absorb the health-promoting carotenoids that vegetables provide. I love that there are so many reasons to add one of my favorite foods to everything.

I suggest adding avocado to your sandwiches, salads, even spreading it on toast in the morning - that is when I refer to avocados as vegan butter. Plus there is always guacamole. Here's a tip from YumSugar on how to avoid yucky avocados.

If you love avocado, tell me your favorite way to eat it below in the comments section. Let's spread the avocado love around!!!!

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Cancer More Likely for Minorities?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:45:00 -0700

It's a sad truth that for the most part, minorities tend to lack health insurance and access to good medical care because of poverty and cultural differences. This means that minorities are more likely to develop and die from cancer because they can't afford to get treated.

Now new research is discovering that money isn't the only cause. Genetics may also have something to do with minorities developing and dying from cancer.

Researchers examined healthy breast tissue samples from 26 black women and 22 white women. One gene involved in cell division and growth, and another gene involved in cellular energy production. Both genes were more active in African American women.

These two genes found in normal breast tissue of African American women may predispose them to developing a more aggressive breast cancer than white women. They'll also develop it at a younger age so they have a higher risk of dying from it. This is sad news for women considering that eating red meat can also increase a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among U.S women after lung cancer. About 400,000 women die from it each year.

Fit's Tips: If you want to do something to support breast cancer patients and survivors, check out Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer.

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Red Meat Linked to Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

We all know that eating too much red meat can be bad for our hearts. Now new research from the University of Leeds shows that eating red meat also increases a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.

35,000 women were tested over the course of 7 years, and those who ate red meat every day had a 56% greater risk of breast cancer than those who ate none.

Processed meat such as bacon, sausage, and ham are much worse than regular red meat such as steak. Those who ate processed meat every day, ran a 64% great risk of breast cancer than those who didn't eat any red meat.

Now I'm not saying you need to omit red meat altogether (unless you want to), just try to eat it 3 or less times a week (you know how I love moderation).

Fit's Tips: Eating 30g of fiber a day could cut your risk for developing breast cancer in half. Also heart pumping exercise has healthy effects on hormone levels and weight maintenance, which could also reduce your risk.

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Do You Do a Breast Exam Every Month?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 08:45:43 -0700

You might have seen the somewhat provocative ad (a woman with her fingers over her nipple) for the Susan Komen Foundation for a Cure. It is a great organization and the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. They also fund research for curing breast cancer. Looking at the ad every day has gotten me wondering if you all do self breast examinations monthly since early detection is key.

Do You Do a Breast Exam Every Month?

Yes I do one monthly.

I do them sporadically.

I forget, but think I should do them.

Nope...I don't do them at all.

Weekend Reading: My One-Night Stand With Cancer

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 10:30:00 -0800

Looking for inspiration? Well, Tania Katan's memoir, My One-Night Stand With Cancer, will definitely inspire you. This book is not only a touching, moving, real, honest account of her getting breast cancer twice, it is also hilarious. And that is the last thing you'd ever expect from a cancer memoir. She is courageous, brave, and most of all, totally funny.

Katan was diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer at age 21 and survived that – but lost her right breast. 10 years later, she lost her left breast to the same disease.

You may have heard of her, running marathons topless to heighten people's awareness of breast cancer. She found that running allowed her to create a healthy body that’s capable of enduring anything.

As a runner and a woman, I found this book to be beyond inspiring. It's a beautiful, down-to-earth account of strength and hope. You can get it through Amazon for $12.44.

Do Bras Cause Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 04:00:00 -0800

So recently I heard an astonishing statement from someone in my yoga class. "Wearing a bra causes breast cancer. And under-wires are the worst."

What? This can't be true. Every woman I know wears a bra. And what about men who get breast cancer? I'm sure they don't wear bras. As soon as I got home, I searched for some facts to back this up.

I did find a lot of info "claiming" the same statement, but none of these sites could back it up with science.

I was happy to find this tidbit from the Canadian Cancer Society that said, "At this time, there is no reliable, scientific evidence that shows a link between wearing a bra and developing breast cancer."

Want to know what else I found? Then

Another Reason to Exercise: Breast Cancer Prevention

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 07:30:00 -0800

I find the benefits of exercise most often overwhelm my inertia. Benefits like: staying calm when my kids give the dog a macaroni and cheese body scrub, or being able to eat a cookie without remorse. A new study on exercise and breast cancer will definitely help me on those days when the couch and Oprah seem like a better choice than running.

Web M.D. recently reported on a study that had "raise your heart rate" motivating results. It seems that women who reported getting more than six hours of strenuous recreational physical activity a week were 23% less likely to have breast cancer, when compared with sedentary women. Now 6 hours of strenuous exercise may seem like a lot, but the benefits seems to cross all age ranges of women who participated in the study - meaning both pre- and post menopausal women. That is good news since eating over 20 grams of fiber a day only benefit pre-menopausal women,

Although the study doesn't prove that exercise single-handedly prevented breast cancer nor does it show how exercise may lower breast cancer risk, researchers believe that exercise has a healthy effect on hormone levels and weight maintenance.

The study does note that the women interviewed might not have accurately recalled their workout habits - we tend to exaggerate our healthy habits. To read more on the study check it out on Web MD. For guidance on cardio workouts check out these FitSugar exercise plans.

MoonWalk - Uniting Against Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:00:00 -0800

Walk the Walk is a charity committed to raising money and awareness for breast cancer research and cancer care. They are also passionate about encouraging women and men to become healthier, fitter, and to take charge of their own well being.

One of their fundraisers is called the MoonWalk. It's taking place on June 16, 2007, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Not only are the men and women power walking throughout the entire night, they are doing it wearing decorated bras to raise awareness for breast cancer.

You can go to their website to register.

Fit's Tips: If you won't be in Scotland for the MoonWalk, you can still help raise money for breast cancer. Host your own fundraiser event and donate all the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Fund.

Want to see a video about "The Moonlight Walk to Kingsley Vale." Then

Fiber Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

A new UK study shows that women who eat a diet high in fiber significantly reduce their risk for breast cancer by up to 50%. WOW.

According to the study, pre-menopausal women need to eat 30 grams of fiber daily to reap the benefits. One serving of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats contains 4 grams of fiber. So eating oatmeal is not enough, but it's always a great way to start off your fiber day.

Sadly, the average American only eats about 15 grams of fiber daily. Switching to whole wheat bread and eating 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day should do the trick. Beans and legumes are another great way to add fiber to your diet. Or you can always supplement with high fiber products like Metamucil.

The researchers feel their study "further highlights the importance of eating a healthy diet for reducing the risk of cancer."

I eat some whole wheat toast to that.

Breast Cancer and Cartoons: Cancer Vixen

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:00:00 -0800

I was reading Healthbolt earlier today when I came across this gem - Cancer Vixen. The name pretty much sums it up. Told in graphic novel form, cartoonist Marisa Acocella Marchetto tells her tale of battling breast cancer.

Her intro reads:

What happens when a shoe-crazy, lipstick-obsessed, wine swilling, pasta slurping, fashion-fanatic, single-forever, about-to-get-married big city girl cartoonist (me, Marisa Acocella) with a fabulous life finds…A LUMP IN HER BREAST?!?

Full of dark humor, irony and honesty, Cancer Vixen is a great read. Check it out and Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Reduce Breast Cancer with Dusting?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 02:20:05 -0800

If you are like me, the motivation to dust comes only with a looming parental visit. Well, motivation might just have arrived. The BBC reported recently on new findings about exercise and the prevention of breast cancer. It seems the one activity that reduced both pre- and post-menopausal women's risk for the disease was housework. It cut the risk by a significant 20 to 30 percent.

Researchers concluded that...

... their results suggested that moderate forms of physical activity, such as housework, may be more important than less frequent but more intense recreational physical activity in reducing breast cancer risk.

Since I believe in making all movement count, I shall dust and vacuum now with vigor.

Calling All You Carnivores!

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 09:37:26 -0800

MSNBC recently reported that eating 1.5 servings per day of red meat may double a woman’s risk of a common type (hormone related) of breast cancer compared to those who eat fewer than 3 servings per week. Furthermore, they say that two new studies suggest that vitamin supplements will do little if anything to protect her heart.

Fit's Tip: I'm not saying it's time to turn vegan, but if you are a steak a day type of girl it may be wise to cut down your intake since red meat not only can raise your risk for breast cancer but it can also be very high in fat and calories.