1	PREVENTING BREAST CANCER… SUE MCLEOD
2
3	The Precautionary Principal When an activity raises the threat of harm to human health and the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not established with absolute scientific certainty.
4
5
6
7	PREVENTING BREAST CANCER WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
8	"WILL SAVE LIVES" WILL SAVE LIVES IF
9	"OUR" OUR PRACTICES HABITS WORK CULTURE CHANGE
10	10 EASY STEPS FOR ALL THE COMMUNITY THE FAMILY THE INDIVIDUAL
11	EASY STEP 1 STOP: Using plastics in microwaves GO : Glass or porcelain
12	WHY: Go glass or porcelain Porcelain and glass as containers do not emit estrogen-mimicking chemicals whereas plastic containers may. Safe practice is to use glass or porcelain as microwave containers Go: Microwave in glass or porcelain
13	EASY STEP 2 STOP: Using pesticides on food chain GO : Organic
14	WHY: Go organic Certified Organic food is not legally subjected to any synthetic chemicals which may mimic estrogen and cause breast cancer cells to proliferate. Synthetic chemicals implicated with BC are Lindane, DDT, and Atrazine to name a few. Certified Organic food is regarded as ‘safe’ food. Encourage Organic gardening programmes in schools. Education for the environment will change the world. Source out the best ‘safe’ produce you can afford, preferably organic. Go: Organic
15
16	EASY STEP 3 STOP: Excess estrogen GO : Alternative remedies
17	WHY: Go alternative remedies Xenoestrogens, meaning a molecule that mimics estrogen, comes into our environment through pesticide/ herbicide sprays, plastics, and surfactants. Synthetic estrogens are present in the Pill and HRT. Additional estrogen must be a concern as estrogen increases cellular growth. Progesterone aids in cell death (apotosis). Plant estrogens, (Phytoestrogens) are alternative remedies that help to minimise the occupation of unwanted estrogen molecule (esterone) on the cell receptors that aid cell growth. To counteract this women need to limit estrogen exposure throughout their lifetime. Estrogen is like fertiliser to a wheat crop. Go: Alternative estrogen.
18	EASY STEP 4 STOP: Using synthetic cosmetics GO : Nature skin care
19	WHY: Go nature skincare All synthetic chemical derived cosmetics including shampoos, antiperspirants, lipsticks, and perfumes contain preservatives and sterilising chemicals. Chemicals, like formaldehyde, are carcinogenic and others like Parabans stop enzyme activity happening in the product to prevent spoiling. The preservative action continues on the skin, is absorbed into skin tissue and taken up by the blood stream. Parabans effectively limit the normal enzyme activity of the body creating cellular problems. 'Nature Skincare' cosmetics use natural plant material with chemical preserving qualities to maintain the life of the product. eg Leptospernum scoparium (Manuka oil) Synthetic chemicals are; sodium lauryl sulphate, aldehydes, parabans, aluminium chlorohydrate. Learn to read labels. Go: Nature skincare
20
21	EASY STEP 5 STOP: Excess radiation during dental X-rays GO : Shield with lead apron
22
23	WHY: Go shield excess radiation During Dental x-rays the breast tissue can absorb the scatter radiation unless protected by a lead apron. It is important to protect breast tissue especially in adolescent girls during dental x-rays from radiation as it is a proven cause of cancer. Radiation is cumulative. Women with breast cancer should consider the annual dose of radiation. Bone scans, chest x-rays, mammography, scintimammography, CT scans are all radiation and must not be undertaken for purposes other than essential diagnostic evaluation. Demand that a lead rubber apron shield areas other than that which is critical for examination or treatment. Go: Shield/avoid excess radiation.
24	EASY STEP 6 STOP: Denial GO : Check your breasts
25	WHY: Go check your breasts BC can happen to you. BC is a global epidemic. Checking breast tissue should be regarded as normal, acceptable and necessary for all women. Join a breast screen programme if one is available, do regular self-examination, have a clinical breast check as part of regular health care. Pay for your mammography if necessary or lobby your health provider services for free services. Recommended: 40 to 50 yrs annual mammogram, 50 plus every two years. If BC is within the family extra surveillance will be required. Early detection increases the chances of surviving and less disfiguring surgery.
26	GO: check your breast
27	EASY STEP 7 STOP: Inactivity GO : Exercise
28	WHY: Go exercise Estrogen is burnt up during exercise. Inactivity is predominantly sitting still all day. A brisk walk made during a lunch break if no other time is available for recreation is beneficial. Estrogen is also eliminated via the stools in a normal healthy digestive system. Exercise helps to prevent constipation, which means a shorter time for the absorption of estrogen from the digestive tract into the body systems. Estrogen is stored in fat tissue and a breast contains fat tissue. Exercise burns not just fat but excess estrogen. Go Walk
29
30	EASY STEP 8 STOP: Bottle feeding GO: Breast fed
31	"Breast tissue is not hormonally..." Breast tissue is not hormonally mature until the woman breast-feeds. Until then the breast tissue is at increased risk to changes within the DNA. Women who breast-feed their babies for a minimum of three months have a proven factor for a decreased risk in getting breast cancer. The leaching of xenoestrogens into milk from plastic babies' bottles particularly if micro-waved must also be a concern. Another concern is that the first breast fed baby may receive stored toxins from the breast during feeding. This risk according to Scientist Sandra Steingraber has not yet been fully established for the effect on the baby's health in later life. This is the chief reason why we must Stop BC where it starts. Breast milk is high on the food chain for human beings and toxins must be eliminated from the environment. A woman's body is the first environment. Go: Breast fed if possible
32	Breast feed if possible
33	EASY STEP 9 STOP: Ignorance GO: Informed
34	WHY: Go informed Knowledge is power and power gains control. We must be in charge of our breast health. We need to read books on breast cancer and Learn to search the internet for reputable Breast websites; Medical Institutions, National Cancer Organisations or Foundations. ( book list is on handout) We need to advocate for better treatment and prevention. The subject of Breast Health & Cancer requires knowledge that embraces the medical, environment and holistic realms. GO: Informed.
35	EASY STEP 10 STOP: Silence GO: Talk
36	WHY: Go talk Women are bonded by shared experiences such as pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. When things go wrong we need to break our silence and talk. Breast cancer is threatening our lives. Studies show that women who join other women with a shared experience such as Breast Cancer have a higher percentage of overcoming the disease process. Women need to care for themselves as well as nurture everyone else. Go: Talk about problems
37
38
39	WHY BOTHER?! STATISTICS : We cannot afford to ignore them. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women and leading cause of cancer death. New Zealand Figures are: 2345 women diagnosed in 2002 1990 “ “ in 1997 Death rate is 21.1% This averages out to be 600 plus women every year. 200 More than die on our roads.
40	DO SOMETHING breast cancer where it starts?
41	START THE GO PRACTICES NOW
42	YOUR ???’s and Suggestions
43	INFORMATION