The Link Between Disease and Inflammation

There's a fascinating article in the December 2009 U.S. News & World Report issue entitled, "Quenching the Slow Burn," and subtitled, "The evidence is mounting that chronic inflammation plays a role in diseases from cancer to heart disease to Alzheimer's. Here's how you can stop it."

Most of us have heard that inflammation is at the root cause of diseases like cancer, diabetes and so many more. And evidence keeps pointing in that direction. "Cancer, diabetes, depression, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's -- these seemingly diverse diseases are increasingly thought to have a common denominator: inflammation." (Quote is from U.S. News & World Report, December 2009, page 32.)

I'm not going to go into the why, although the article talks a bit about that. An interesting side-note in the discussion: what 'kick-starts' the disease? It seems in each person it's different, or unique. It might be smoking, or obesity (due to inflammatory proteins produced by fat cells), or a disease confined to one area (e.g., gum disease). However, what I'm most interested in, and for the purpose of this article we'll confine ourselves to a discussion of: what can we do to prevent inflammation? I will be quoting from the article in the points below.

* Assess yourself. Are you overweight, or even more importantly, is your body fat distribution -- on your waist as opposed to your hips and thighs -- more detrimental to your health? "Having a large waist measurement -- at or above 35 inches for a woman and 40 inches for a man -- means you're likely to have excess inflammation." Also, high blood pressure, high glucose levels (diabetes), and high cholesterol can also trigger inflammatory responses.

* Change to a Mediterranean diet. "Consuming a Mediterranean-style diet -- rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish -- is known to protect the heart, and that's probably because it lowers the level of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body."

* Get active, but don't overdo it. This is pretty interesting. It's obvious that regular exercise can move your metabolism, "but research also suggests that superlong workouts can cause inflammation levels to spike for a day or two afterward."

* Reduce stress and get adequate sleep. An interesting study by Shively "demonstrated that monkeys that were the most subordinate in their social groups -- which means they got less grooming from their peers and were often the target of aggression -- also put on more belly fat when fed a Western-style diet high in fat and cholesterol compared with monkeys that were at the top of the pecking order. Anything that stresses the body, from too little sleep to too much tension, can cause belly fat to accumulate."

* Floss and brush twice every day. "The link between gum disease and heart disease has been well established... The very same bacteria that cause inflammation and swelling in the gums appear to be a source of inflammation and thickening of the arteries."

* Consider probiotics. "...the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt and probiotics supplements can help keep in check the 'bad' bacteria that reside in your gut and generate an inflammatory response. Try a daily serving or two of yogurt and other dairy products containing probiotics.... You can also try the supplement Align."

Colonscopy - Prep Day Is Sh**

There is nothing more gruesome than Prep Day for the next-day colonoscopy. Nothing.

This is my fourth time. I should know all the ins-and-outs (sorry). Still, I read the instructions over three times so that I'd get it right. I prepared the icky Go-Lytely liquid and put it in the refrigerator that morning. I put everything out on the table: the pill I would take at 5pm. The instructions. The directions on how to get to East Bay Endoscopy.

At 5 in the evening, I took the pill. And half an hour later, I started the dreaded process of drinking one glass of Go-Lytely every 15 minutes. Hell, I don't even drink that much water during a regular day. Maybe if I did, well, that water is under the bridge.

Let me just interject that I don't know how those people who prepare Go-Lytely think that it's a lemon flavor they're giving me. If I were a lemon I'd be angry, very angry. It's more like a, say, dishwater-puke kind of flavor, not to be recommended.

I drank it all. Still, everything did not go well. I wasn't finished evacuating when it came time to get into the car and drive to the Endoscopy Center in Emeryville. I've been through this before, in a different way, when, a few years ago, I threw up and said to hell with it: I'm not finishing that horrible libation. As a result, the the pictures of my colon weren't clear. And I had to return a year later, do the whole thing all over again. I vowed that would not happen again.

Well, I got a slight reprieve. This time I did everything I was supposed to, but the results were still not clear. So I have to return in two years.

Next time I either need to start earlier or get a stronger laxative.

I'm still smiling, though: the results were super! No polyps in evidence. That's the good news.

And I have hopes that in two years they'll have developed an easier way of doing this.

Get started, scientists. You have time.

The Colonoscopy

It was right there on my calendar. I didn't receive a postcard or letter from the gastroenterologist's office. I didn't wait. I went to my doctor, told her it had been 3 years, and I need another colonoscopy. She was surprised.

Most of us don't beg for these things. I'm not begging, but I'm not going to ignore it. It was the first of these in 2003 that made me aware, made everyone aware, that I had cancer. I'm kinda wondering what's been going on in there since. (I've had two colonoscopies since then; the latest was fine and clean, and the one before that not so much - there were several polyps adhered to the colon wall, but all benign.)

So I arranged with my partner to go with me to Dr. Hosseini's office in Berkeley. He did my last three, I believe. He did a minor check-up of my heart and my stomach region in the office, and then pronounced that everything seems fine. I don't think doctors are aware that, frankly, if they do too much, it would scare me off. Too intrusive an examination would definitely do that.

I thought they'd be booked past Christmas. Unfortunately, not. So, I'm scheduled for December 1st. I don't dread that date. I dread the day before.

How Gender Affects Your Cancer Risk

There was an interesting article in the October 2009 issue of Bottom Line Health about "the surprising differences" of gender when it comes to cancer risk. Here are some of their conclusions and a summation of their advice:

Bladder Cancer: The increased risk of bladder cancer among men is "mainly due to environmental factors, including smoking (more men smoke) and job-related exposure to toxins -- especially in the processing industries, such as textile, metal, rubber, and printing, which often use heavy metals and other carcinogens." Also, men urinate less often than women, on average, "exposing the bladder to potential carcinogens longer."
Self-defense for men and women: Don't smoke. If you have symptoms of bladder cancer, such as blood in your urine, see a doctor. If you're at increased risk (see the above), talk to your doctor about the new tumor marker tests that can help identify this kind of cancer early.

Colorectal Cancer: This year, colorectal cancer is expected to attack 76,000 men and 71,000 women in the US. HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, significantly lowers menopausal women's risk for this type of cancer. One can assume from this that younger women are protected somewhat by higher estrogen levels. Women have shorter intestines than men (because women are generally smaller), thus lowering the transit time for food to pass through the digestive tract. Since women average three-and-one-half to four daily servings of fruits and vegetables, on average, than men, who average two to two-and-one-half, fewer women are stricken with this disease.
Self-defense for both genders: Starting at age 50, get a colonoscopy regularly, a test where a doctor checks for precancerous polyps in your colorectal tract.

Esophageal Cancer: GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a primary risk factors for this type of cancer. With GERD, the esophagus is repeatedly exposed to acid, which can cause cellular changes in the lining that may lead to cancer. Men are much more likely to have GERD, as well as related risk factors, such as drinking heavily, which increases stomach acid production. Plus, men are more likely to have big bellies, a factor which increases pressure on the stomach contents. In the US, esophageal cancer will affect 13,000 men and 3,500 women this year.
Self-defense: Drink in moderation (up to one drink daily if you're a woman, up to two drinks daily if you're a man), and lose weight, if necessary. Have any signs of chronic acid reflux treated.

Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, striking about 116,000 men and 103,000 women in the US this year. Ten percent of lung cancer patients have never smoked, and women are the most likely to make up this group. Women's risk for this type of cancer may be due to second-hand smoke, but also to estrogen, which some studies indicate can fuel lung cancer tumor growth. HRT, for example, has been show to increase death risk, especially among women smokers.
Self-defense: Do not smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke, radon and asbestos whenever possible.

Melanoma: Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and is more common among women than men under the age of 40. It occurs equally in both sexes between the ages of 40 and 50, and strikes significantly more men than women after 50. Estrogen may account for the difference in melanoma rates. About 30,000 women and 39,000 men in the US are struck by melanoma each year.

In addition, there's a new study out of New York University that found that women under 40 with melanoma "were much more likely to have a variation in the potentially cancer-promoting gene called MDM2." Screening for this variation with a blood test may help identify women at risk.
Self-defense for both men and women: Undergo yearly skin exams by a dermatologist, and perform self-exams in front of a mirror to identify changes in size, shape and color of existing moles. Check also for new moles, spots or freckles that look unusual.

It's All Pink at the Coliseum

I'm a Survivor. I'm a Cancer Survivor.

500 Breast Cancer Survivors went onto the Coliseum playing field this evening to celebrate the fact that they're still alive. And I was there to watch them for the fifth year in a row.

It was a sea of pink, a glorious deep pink, as the women sang, danced, pranced across the field, some of them with walkers, others with canes, others helping others. Glorious.

The Oakland Athletics have raised over $1 million for cancer research/awareness in 11 years. This year they raised $75,000. We all can be proud of that.

It was so great to see pink all over the stadium, too -- old people, young people, even male teenagers, all wearing pink. We are all in this together, after all.

Cancer Screenings Help Detect Disease Early

This is from the Health Net mailing:

Colon and rectal cancer. Various tests can screen for this disease. Screening usually begins at age 50. How often you get screened depends on which test your doctor recommends.

Breast cancer. Starting at age 40, women should have a mammogram every year. Some women may need to start when they are younger and have mammograms more often.

Cervical cancer. Women should have their first cervical cancer screening about 3 years after they begin having sex, but no later than age 21. Cervical cancer screenings should be done once a year for women in their 20s. After age 30, women who have had 3 normal tests in a row may switch to 1 cervical cancer screening every 2 or 3 years.

Prostate cancer. For most men, tests to detect prostate cancer should be offered beginning at age 50. Men at high risk, such as African Americans, should start at age 45. Exams include a DRE (digital rectal exam) and a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.

Skin cancer. Regularly check your skin -- especially moles -- for signs of skin cancer. If you find a new mole unlike the others or notice a change in a mole, see your doctor.

Sleeping Disorders

This information is second-hand, as I learned it from a friend who took her son to a sleeping disorder doctor.

His advice for those who are having trouble sleeping...

We all know about having a place for sleep, and sleep only. No late-night television. No caffeine or eating right before bed. But he also suggested:

* Two hours before bedtime, no computer. The bright screen throws your sleeping mechanism off.

* Two hours before those two hours of bedtime (i.e., 4 hours before bedtime), if you're on the computer, put the overhead light on. Don't do it in the dark.

* If you can't sleep while lying still in bed for 30 minutes, get up and read something. It should be something non-stimulating, almost boring, by soft light.

Of course, this is general advice for people who do not have severe sleeping disorders.

Cancer Therapies Discussed on Video

CancerConsultants.com has some nifty videos to watch experts discuss various therapies. You can find it here.

Wow. I have to get used to this new technology!

Oakland Athletics Breast Cancer Awareness Day

The Oakland Athletics have announced their Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which is at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, September 5, 2009, at 6:05pm.

Breast cancer survivors get a free ticket to the game, and can march on the field with other cancer survivors before the game.

Here's their official statement:

The Oakland Athletics are a proud sponsor of the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

The Oakland Athletics are hosting Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Saturday, September 5.

The Oakland Athletics are inviting all breast cancer survivors to attend. Breast cancer survivors receive two free tickets and get to participate in an on-field activity. All participating breast cancer survivor form a pink ribbon the field. In addition, survivors receive a special gift from the Oakland Athletics.

If you know a breast cancer patient or survivor who might like to participate please have them call our hotline at 1-866-457-6669 or you can register online by visiting this website.

If you would like to purchase tickets for the game there is a pdf on the website above that allows you to purchase discounted tickets that also have $5 from each ticket support the Bay Area Making Strides walk.

Due to corporate, team, and player contributions, Breast Cancer Awareness Day generates over $50,000 for the American Cancer Society's work to defeat breast cancer.

Drinking Coffee Helps with the Pain of Exercise

Diabetes Forecast (August 2009) reports a study of 24 college-age men who took a caffeine pill an hour before 30 minutes of intense exercise felt last pain during the exercise.

The men's perception of pain was lower on days when they took the caffeine, regardless of whether they were regular coffee drinkers or not. The amount of caffeine the participants took was 5 milligrams per kilogram, or 2.2 pounds of body weight, or the equivalent of 2.5 to 3 cups of coffee, the average amount that Americans drink daily.

Identifying Drugs that can kill Cancer Stem Cells

Researchers have discovered a way to identify drugs that can specifically attack and kill cancer stem cells, a finding that could lead to a new generation of anticancer medicines and a new strategy of treatment. See this New York Times article for the news and the controversy.

Aspirin Decreases Mortality after Colorectal Cancer

This is very exciting news, reported in the August 12, 2009 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers from the Harvard Medical School reported that "regular aspirin use after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer decreases the risk or dying of colorectal cancer that expresses COX-2."

"Studies have consistently shown that regular aspirin use decreases the incidence of colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer.""

Cancer = Fatigue

There's a marvelous article in this month's Women & Cancer (Summer 2009) which gives some hints as to how to beat the fatigue that cancer will inevitably cause. Here are some of their suggestions.

*Eat small, frequent meals.

*Choose low glycemic foods such as whole grains, brown rice, oatmeal, and green vegetables.

*Eat a little more protein than normal (easy-to-digest protein, such as whey powder, is best).

*Choose healthy fats, such as olive oil or almond butter.

*Stay hydrated.

*Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine and chocolate.

*Avoid refined sugar.

CNNHealth Invites Your Questions

On August 24, 2009, health experts are getting together and will answer YOUR questions about cancer at the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit. Take a look at this link to participate on CNNHealth.

Breast Feeding Can Benefit the Mother as Well

Thanks to reader Dawn who pointed us to this web page on SFGate.com.

"New moms are well aware of the dozens of ways babies benefit from breast milk, but they often don't realize that nursing a child also benefits their own bodies. Studies have shown that women who breast-fed have a reduced risk of osteoporosis and ovarian cancer, as well as high blood pressure and heart disease decades later... And now a new study indicates that women who breast feed their babies even for short periods of time may lower their risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer if they have a family history of the disease."

H1N1: The Epidemic

I went to my diabetes class the other day at Lifelong Medical, and Dr. Miller advised us that H1N1, or Swine Flu, is right around the corner in epidemic proportions. However, she also told us that we, older diabetics, are not the target audience for prevention.

The swine flu will attack pregnant women and children between 6 months and 24 years of age. And the danger of this flu is that H1N1 looks just like the other flu. The difference is:

Fever: 100 degrees (not much above our norm of 98.6)
Body Aches

So be on the lookout. The best source of information, according to Dr. Miller, is her favorite website, www.cdc.com, the Center for Disease Control website, which, in recent months, has really expanded their page on H1N1.

CDC is developing a vaccine for H1N1, but it's not yet finished. The CDC hopes to be finished with it by fall, just in time for what they think will be an epidemic.

Dr. Miller suggests that we, as diabetics, get the two shots for H1N1 (imagine: 2 shots!) as well as the 3rd shot for the normal flu. And keep washing your hands!

How to Reduce Your Cholesterol...Without Meds

There was an interesting article in the latest UC Berkeley Wellness Letter (Aug 2009) on how to lower your cholesterol without medication. Or at least, which myths about lowering your cholesterol are actually true?

Niacin: Niacin is actually a drug and is sold by prescription as well as over the counter. "It's a proven way to lower LDL by up to 30%, and unlike statins, it also substantially boosts HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduces triglycerides (fats in the blood). Be careful: Niacin products can increase the risk of liver damage. Begin niacin therapy only under a doctor's supervision.

Sterols or Stanols: These are plant compounds which interfere with the absorption of dietary cholesterol. It's seems worth trying, as the FDA has allowed its sale and the claim that the dose will reduce the risk of heart disease if they supply at least 400 milligrams of sterols per serving, for a daily dose of 800 mg.

Soluble Fiber Supplements: Everyone knows that fruit, vegetables and grains rich in soluble fiber is good for lowering cholesterol. Psyllium is part of this, a seed grain sold as a laxative and fiber supplement, and can lower LDL by 5 to 15%. However, it takes high doses to get that kind of response, and such doses can cause gas and bloating - so start with a low dose.

Red Yeast Rice Extract: This extract is made by fermenting red yeast on rice, and it's long been used in Asia as a heart treatment. It actually contains a statin compound, lovastatin, and is sold over the counter as brand name Mevacor. It may be effective, but it's safer to take prescription quality statin under a physician's care.

Fish Oil Supplements: The omega-3 fats in fish have a lot of potential cardiovascular benefits, but they are not known for lowering cholesterol.

Garlic: Inconsistent results on garlic studies. Eat garlic if you like it, but not to lower cholesterol.

Guggul Extract (Guggulipid): Guggul is a gummy resin from a tree in India. Extract guggulipid is approved as a drug to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. However, two well-designed studies found no lowering of LDL, but did not frequent side effects. Not recommended.

Policosanol: Policosanol is usually derived from sugar cane or beeswax. Policosanol is made in Cuba, and most of the studies have been conducted there. Independent studies apart from the Cuban ones have found it ineffective. The supplement is usually combined with other ingredients, making it unsafe.

Artichoke Leaf Extract: A recent review by the Cochrane Collaboration states that results aren't convincing. Not recommended.

Death Rates from Cancer Continue to Decline

From the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter (August 2009):

"The American Cancer Society's latest annual report shows that between 1990 and 2005, mortality rates decreased by 19% among men and 11% among women. If these rates had not improved, an additional 650,000 cancer deaths would have occurred in the U.S. during those 15 years. The decline is attributable to a reduction in smoking rates, increased screening (especially for colon cancer), and improved treatments."

Lee National Denim Day

Mark it on your calendars: October 2nd is Lee National Denim Day. The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) will receive 100 percent of all Denim Day proceeds, up to $250,000.

Wear your favorite jeans on that day, and find out more about Denim Day at www.StopBreastCancer.org/denimday.

Also, tonight I'm going to hear the author of "The Adventures of Cancer Bitch," S.L. Wisenberg, speak at the Women's Cancer Resource Center. It's 6:30pm at the WCRC, which is on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland.

Meal Planning

I had a recent class at Lifelong Medical, my clinic, about putting together meals at home. Most of what I remember about the class was taking little plastic renditions of food -- like corn, or a steak, or fruit -- and positioning them on my plate. One-third was fruit or nonstarchy vegetables, one-third was protein (like fish or steak), one-third was breads or grains or starch (like potato or corn). I found it quite enlightening.

I just got a little booklet that I ordered through one of my Diabetes magazines. It's called Meal Planning for People with Diabetes. And it's quite helpful. Yes, it gives me the calories for, say, a small apple, but what's more important is that it gives me what a portion size is for each of these choices. One-third of a cup of baked beans is 80 calories. One four-ounce apple is 60. 17 grapes, or 3 ounces, is 60 calories. In fact, all of their fruit choices are 60 calories because they tell us how much will make 60: 1/2 a banana, 3/4 cup of blueberries, etc. Very useful. If I think I can eat a whole bag of cherries in one sitting.... well, the book tells me that I can have 12 cherries. That's one serving.

And there's a visual to help me. A closed fist is equivalent to 1 cup. The palm of my hand is 3 ounces. What fits inside my closed palm, palm side up, is 1 ounce.

WCRC Cooking Classes

The Women's Cancer Resource Center (located on Telegraph in Oakland) is having some cooking classes this summer 2009 and beyond:

Cooking Club
With Sandy Der, Chef and Certified Nutrition Consultant

Register with margo@wcrc.org or call 510-601-4040 x111.

Wednesday, July 15, 6-8 PM
Sprouting & Krauting - Learn about the benefits of fermented foods and how to make them - pickles, sauerkraut, kombuchas & more.

Wednesday, August 19, 6-8 PM
Foods of West Africa!

Wednesday, September 16, 6-8 PM
Noodles from around the worlds. Will include some gluten-free noodle dishes.

Wednesday, October 21, 6-8 PM
All About Beans.

Wednesday, November 18, 6-8 PM
Fun with Winter Squash.

The Scare of a Lifetime

The older we get, the more health scares we are bound to receive. It's better than the alternative, especially if it wakes you up.

I had one two weeks ago, and I'm determined to take action this time around.

The Scare: I had two weeks of horrible bronchitis, and just had to get through it, as there was nothing the doctor could do for me. However, because of my health issues, with the fact that I was wheezing, she ordered a chest x-ray. The tech reading the x-ray told me I didn't have pneumonia, just bronchitis, but there was something else they found on the x-ray. I had an enlarged heart.

An enlarged heart is a problem for all kinds of issues, but mostly it can't do the job it's supposed to do, pump blood out in an efficient manner. The finding may also indicate that there are weak areas in the heart, like a valve. The next step is to have the echocardiogram, which I had today, and to stop whatever was causing the heart to enlarge in the first place. Control your blood pressure, for one. Reduce your weight, and continue with an exercise program.

The tech today told me that, in his experience and unofficially, I do not have an enlarged heart. (Yeah, whew.) However, one of the valves had an issue of some sort, perhaps the source of that heart murmur I knew I had. It would bear watching, he said.

So I'm getting serious, more serious about my weight and eating. Eating is a big issue for me, and I couldn't even tell you why. I eat the wrong things, in the wrong proportion, and I'm mainly going for the sugar rush at the end of the day.

So, in one week, I've lost 5 pounds. A good trend.

But one of the big reasons I am convinced I have to lose weight has little to do with this health scare. Well, a little but not a lot. My weight is preventing me from being diagnosed correctly.

One possible reason for the enlarged heart x-ray reading was the bronchitis coupled with my size. Also, getting a baseline on a treadmill stress test I attempted to take two years ago was halted because of my weight. I'm overjoyed, really, that the cardiac tech today was able to read the sonar pulses, that my size and underlying fat didn't prevent him from getting true readings.

Hey, any motivation works, right? Besides, every doctor I ever see mentions it repetitively. That gets so old.

Licorice Fights Cancer

This is a really interesting article in the British publication, Mail Online, about the health benefits of cancer.

According to the article, "licorice could offer valuable protection against sunburn and skin cancer." Skin cancer is the most common cancer among 15- to 34-year-olds, according to the article, but it's not clear whether those are just British teens and young adults they're talking about. Judging by our sun-worshipping culture here in the States, I suspect not.

"According to the National Cancer Institute in the US, when applied to the skin, liquorice extract helps combat UV damage and can reduce sunburn by acting as a powerful anti-inflammatory." In addition, the article talks about the possible extraction of whatever the active ingredient is in licorice in order to form preventative skin creams.

Most Type 2 Diabetes Can Be Stopped at Childhood

That's the name of a USAToday article, published June 22, 2009. Pretty intriguing that we as a nation could actually stop Type 2 diabetes, and yet we don't.

Of course, as the article points out, it's awfully hard for an eight-year-old to turn away from that donut when their friends are having one. Or two.

"About 150,000 children in the USA have been diagnosed with diabetes, most with Type 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the number of children with Type 2 diabetes has been rising steadily in the past decade.... according to the CDC.... Type 2 is especially affecting Hispanic, African American and American Indian youth."

The reasons why this rate has been rising are rather interesting. "'We have a new generation of children who are metabolically different. We think there's been a series of genetic mutations - linked to environmental and lifestyle changes - over the last few generations that have led to this,' says (Melinda) Sothern (professor of public health at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans). Why a child's body stops using insulin properly - called insulin insensitivity - isn't clear, but Sothern says her government-funded study suggests a child's current body fat is the strongest predictor of poor insulin sensitivity.

"While the majority of chubby kids don't get diabetes, if a child has a family history, or a mother who had gestational diabetes was obese while pregnant or did not breast-feed, they can be at risk, Sothern says." Of course, add that to the high-sugar, high-fat diet most kids consume in the United States, and you can predict the outlook.

The article suggests several behavioral changes for young Type 2's. Actually, I think I as an adult could use a closer look at these suggestions.

- "Think before you eat. Break out of the rut of eating when you're bored or lonely.

- "Eat a little bit less at meals. Leave food on your plate. Order small portions, not large.

- "Limit fatty foods. Burgers and fries are high in fat; try pretzels instead of potato chips.

- "Cut sugar. Switch to sugar-free drinks.

- "Even with diabetes, you can still eat cake and ice cream, just not every day. Ask your doctor to help you plan for occasional treats.

- "Be active. Don't just listen to music - dance.

- "Play after school. Or try a sport; take lessons.

- "Turn off TV. Watch just one show a day."

Pharmacy Phooey

I've had bronchitis now for exactly 9 days now. Never a laughing matter, it is now time for frowning.

Oh, I'm not concerned. I saw the doctor on the 6th day, and she had me get a chest x-ray. The x-ray confirmed that I don't have pneumonia. That's a good thing. But the bad thing was, I still have bronchitis. And there's really nothing they can do for me.

The doctor asked her office people to call in a prescription for an inhalant, though, to my local drugstore pharmacy. Only they called it into the wrong pharmacy. And they called in three days later than they said they would.

Today was the 3rd time I had been to the pharmacy. After ascertaining which pharmacy, I went to the right one this time, wheezing and coughing, and stood in a very long line. Thirty minutes later, I reached the front of the line only to be told, "Go see that other person over there."

I won't reiterate the rhetoric, but the clerk didn't have time to deal with me, didn't take time to even find out my name, and I walked out without the inhaler. I won't die because of this, or even suffer that much, but I do wonder how many sick or elderly people go to the pharmacy and find that they can't deal with the pain of being invisible, or maltreated.

I saw several people being told, over and over, in a voice escalating in volume, to go sit over there. Most of the people who stood there bewildered did so because they don't speak English. But apparently these clerks couldn't figure that out.

I don't mean and I certainly don't want for this blog to be a rant - but you have to think, there's got to be a better way to get people their prescriptions.

Control Can Help Cancer Patients

There's an interesting article in the New York Times that is entitled "The Limits of Control." It discusses how, in order to be happy, one must have control over some important aspects of life. Lose control, and people sink into depression, stress and experience onset of disease.

The point of the article is that some people go too far in trying to control in their lives what should be uncontrollable. However, for the purposes of this article, I would like to stick to the original concept: control of some important aspects of a person's life is a good thing, even needed.

And so this, I believe, works for health care. The best treatments work if the patient is involved. Health care these days is optimal if the patient is involved in important decisions, and kept informed along the way. I think that's why informative classes, and formation of action plans, as well as group discussion groups, can be vital to a person's health care approach.

4 Keys to Longevity

There's an article in USA Today that talks about National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner's new book, "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest." Buettner traveled to Sardinia, Italy, Costa Rica and the Greek island Ikaria, the latter destination "where people nap often and enjoy regular festivals, sometimes five in one week."

Buettner and his colleagues took what they learned from their journeys to a little town in the Midwest, Albert Lea, Minnesota. Their goal was to help the residents there "live longer, better." Albert Lea, a town of 18,000, has some health issues: about 40% of its residents are overweight, and close to 30% have hypertension. The town was chosen among several others because its residents were most motivated to change.

The project's strategy: eat more fruits and vegetables, walk instead of drive, stay productive and social well into old age, and seek inner fulfillment.

The six-month-long strategy to transform the town was broken down into a four-pronged attack:

-Community environment. Creating more bike paths, garden plots, a new farmer's market.
-Social groups. Forming walk, biking clubs.
-Home and work habitats. Revamping school and business cafeterias, grocery stores and restaurants.
-Building the inner self. Motivational seminars.

So far, 20% of residents have signed on. The original goal was 10%.

The whole idea, says Buettner, is based around research that shows about 20% of our longevity is linked to genetics, whereas 80% is environmentally influenced.

The Latest Buzz on Tinnitus

The hidden medical issue. Tinnitus. I have a couple of friends who have casually mentioned they suffer from this. I also have a friend whose husband thinks he's going to go crazy due to tinnitus. Apparently each person bears this disease individually and differently.

Tinnitus is often described as "ringing in the ears." The Latin, tinnire, means "to ring." But it isn't necessarily ringing. It could be buzzing, humming, whistling, hissing, and even roaring.

According to the American Tinnitus Association, 12 million people, most of them over 60, experience symptoms severe enough to seek medical advice. But, so far, there is no cure.

There's a great article in this month's John Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50 (July 2009) on tinnitus.

Since the cause of tinnitus is frequently in the inner ear, so the article suggests anyone who complains of these symptoms get an audiogram (hearing test), which will indicate how much hearing has been lost. It will also help determine if "centrally located tinnitus" is the more likely cause.

Be advised that there are medical conditions or medication which could be contributing to the effect, including thyroid disorders and high blood pressure, as well as 200 possible medications, including common pain relievers. Many patients are also given an MRI scan, which can detect tumors, enlarged blood vessels, or other abnormalities.

The article suggests that the first step in treatment is to cut out caffeine. "Many people who give up caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and soda and foods like chocolate find that their tinnitus symptoms improve," says Dr. Lloyd Minor, M.D., Director of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at John Hopkins.

Another treatment is "to mask the internal noise with external noise." You might find relief from the noise of a fan or humidifier. Headphones can also help mask tinnitus with sounds, music or white noise. In-ear masking devices are available, but they're rather expensive (around $1,400). There's also such a thing as a Tinnitus Retraining Device (TRT), which combines ear devices that emit low-volume sounds with active counseling about tinnitus. The idea is that you retrain your brain to turn tinnitus into background noise. Treatment can be rather expensive, and can take up to two years.

Since those who suffer from tinnitus can suffer from anxiety and depression, and it's not surprising that they do, it's important that those who do get tested and then try some of these treatments to see if they can relieve the pain.

Nutritional Therapy

Here's an interesting British article on how a nutritional therapist can change your life.

Cancer Bitch to Speak

Thanks to author S.L. Wisenberg, who commented on the blog about my review of her book, The Adventures of Cancer Bitch.

She'll be reading at the Women's Cancer Resource Center on Telegraph in Oakland (see the link on the right side of the page) at 6:30pm on July 16, 2009.

Kenny Rankin Dies of Lung Cancer

I can't say this is personal news, but after following Kenny Rankin's singing career for about 40 years, it feels personal.

He died of lung cancer at the age of 67 on Sunday. People are still dying of lung cancer? I rarely hear about that cancer any more. It seems so 1950's.

This is devastating. The last time I saw him, I think, was about 4 years ago (?) or so at Yoshi's. I went with my friend, as we both shared a love for his music. His voice was so mellow, so smooth. He was jazzy in a rock 'n roll world. Even this morning, I was checking the pink pages for his name at Yoshi's, hoping to see his name so that I could see him perform one more time.

Another fine person struck down by a devastating disease. I think I remember that Kenny even mentioned, in that last set I saw, that he was a smoker. What an unfortunate, continuing decision.

What Makes Us Happy?

Case No. 218

How’s this for the good life? You’re rich, and you made the dough yourself. You’re well into your 80s, and have spent hardly a day in the hospital. Your wife had a cancer scare, but she’s recovered and by your side, just as she’s been for more than 60 years. Asked to rate the marriage on a#FF0000 scale of 1 to 9, where 1 is perfectly miserable and 9 is perfectly happy, you circle the highest number. You’ve got two good kids, grandkids too. A survey asks you: “If you had your life to live over again, what problem, if any, would you have sought help for and to whom would you have gone?” “Probably I am fooling myself,” you write, “but I don’t think I would want to change anything.” If only we could take what you’ve done, reduce it to a set of rules, and apply it systematically.

This is the beginning of a recent article in the Atlantic Monthly, and is an utterly fascinating summary of the work of George Vaillant and his rather obsessive but scientific study of 268 men who entered Harvard in the late 1930s, and tracked them through "war, career, marriage and divorce, parenthood and grandparenthood, and old age," in search of what makes for a good life.

Warning, however: details about each man's life, which appear in the article (each "case" cited is done so anonymously) are voluminous, sometimes irritatingly so. Vaillant measured everything he could think of, especially physically.

John F. Kennedy is now known, just discovered lately, to be one of these men. His records have been sealed for another 30 years.

Two traits Vaillant has identified which, in his opinion, help to make men happy: healthy adaptation to the issues and problems that surround them, and social aptitude, how well they get along with people.

To read the Atlantic Monthly article, click on this link.

Another Reason to Have that Cup of Tea

A new UCLA analysis of a group of studies (as reported in RemedyLife magazine, Summer 2009) as published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association concludes that "drinking at least three cups of green or black tea a day can slash your risk of stroke by 21 percent."

And it doesn't seem to matter how much tea you drink: the benefits keep on coming. "Each increase of three cups is associated with a 21 percent reduction in risk," says lead author Lenore Arab, Ph.D., a professor of medicine and biological chemist at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

She believes the effect may be due to the amino acid theanine. "It is almost exclusively in tea, and it's nearly 100 percent absorbed," says Dr. Arab.

RemedyLife suggests we aim for six cups throughout the day for the greatest benefit.

Colon Cancer Test Predicts Risk of Cancer Recurrence

According to a press release from Genomic Health, the Oncotype DX® colon cancer assay—a genomic test similar to one already in use for breast cancer—has been shown to predict the risk of cancer recurrence among patients with Stage II colon cancer. This test may eventually help guide colon cancer treatment decisions.

For the complete article from Cancer Consultants.com, look here.

Book Review: The Adventures of Cancer Bitch, by S.L. Wisenberg

The Adventures of Cancer Bitch was a collection of blog entries made into a book. But, actually, if you hadn't known that up front, you never would have guessed it.

Cancer picks strange bedfellows. Wisenberg is a writer in her late forties or so who is afraid and determined all at once. This is her chronicle of dealing with the news, dealing with the inevitable mastectomy, dealing with the chemo and loss of hair, dealing with her friends. She's outgoing, but cancer drives her inside. Despite all this, she's relentlessly witty, asking the questions we are afraid to ask, and often providing the answers.

It's well written, easy to follow, wonderful to read. For those who are going through this hell, it's a worthy read. For those who know someone who has, it's enlightening.

Ginger May Ease the Side Effects of Chemo

I feel this is an important discovery, one that could ease a lot of suffering: Adding ginger to foods before, during and after chemotherapy treatment may ease its side effects, according to one study.

Los Angeles Times' reporter Shari Roan, as reported through yesterday's Oakland Tribune (May 15, 2009), tells us that "simply adding a teaspoon of ginger to food consumed in the days before, during and after chemotherapy can reduce the often debilitating side effects of nausea and vomiting, a large, randomized clinical trial has found. A newer type of anti-nausea drug, when added to standard medications, can help such side effects as well.

"The findings are significant, cancer experts said, because about 70 percent of chemotherapy patients experience nausea and vomiting -- often severe -- during treatment.

"In the ginger study, 644 patients, most of them female, from 23 oncology practices throughout the United States received two standard anti-emetic medications at the time of chemotherapy. They also were given capsules containing either 0.5 gram, 1 gram or 1.5 grams of ginger, or placebo capsules. The patients took the capsules containing the placebo or ginger for three days before chemotherapy and three days after treatment.

"All of the patients receiving ginger experienced less nausea for four days after chemotherapy, said study lead author Julie Ryan of the University of Rochester Medical Center. Doses of 0.5 gram and 1 gram were the most effective, reducing nausea by 40 percent compared with the patients taking the placebo.

"Researchers do not know why ginger helps, Ryan said. But, she added, 'there is other research showing it has a potent anti-inflammatory effect in the gut.'"

Avoid Food Poisoning with Melon

According to the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter (June 2009), "before cutting a cantaloupe or any melon, wash it with cool running water and a scrub brush."

The article tells us that food poisoning from salmonella and other bacteria has been linked to melons, and if you cut right through the melon without washing and scrubbing the outside first, the bacteria can be sliced into the fruit.

They also add: be sure to refrigerate cut melon. Cut melon can be left out for up to 4 hours; after that, it should be discarded. If you're at a farmer's market, and you see cut melon for sale under non-refrigerated circumstances, don't buy it.

Tips for Preventing Osteoporosis

This is from the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, June 2009:

1. Do weight-bearing exercise (such as running or brisk walking), along with strength training, for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

2. Make your diet count. For calcium, eat low-fat and nonfat dairy products, leafy greens, and calcium-fortified foods. Fruits and vegetables provide other bone-building nutrients.

3. To make up for calcium and vitamin D shortfalls, you need supplements. Take a calcium supplement to reach 1,200 milligrams a day if you're over 50. The official daily vitamin D recommendation is 400 IU for people 51 to 70, and 600 IU for people over 70. But we advise 800 to 1,000 IU daily.

4. Don't smoke.

5. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. That may actually boost bone density, while heavy drinking reduces it.

6. Ask your doctor if any of your medications could be taking a toll on your bones.

Calcium Drives Off Cancer?

The Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 169, p. 391, as reported by The John Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50, suggests that consuming the recommended amount of calcium, which is between 1200 and 1500 mg daily, may have a health benefit beyond the usual one of making our bones strong.

"A large study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and AARP found that men who consumed at least 1,500 mg of dietary calcium daily were 16% less likely to get colon or other digestive cancers than men who consumed 500 mg or less.

"Women who reported consuming at least 1,300 mg each day were less likely to get any type of cancer."

Diet and Exercise are the Key to Reducing Risk of Cancer

A great article on news.scotsman.com tells us the results of a 5-year-study: that diet and exercise are the key to reducing our every day risk of cancer.

Click here for the link.

Book Review: Growing Up Again, by Mary Tyler Moore

I was at LAX this morning, and I had two hours to kill before lining up to board. I bought an interesting book and sat down to read.

The book is Growing Up Again, a new one by Mary Tyler Moore. The intriguing subtitle is: "Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes." I have to admit, that's what drew me in.

So I sat down in front of Gate 13, opened my bag of M&M's, and started reading. It wasn't long before the irony of that act was apparent to me. (Yes, I'm slow, and still deep in denial.)

Growing Up Again, published just recently, contains a lot about MTM's career, starting with the Dick Van Dyke show with a large dash of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She also throws in liberal doses of problems with her marriages and her parents. But that's all background, vital background, on how she deals with her Type I diabetes, and why. The book is all about diabetes, how she got it, how she deals with it, how she adjusts.

And remember that she was diagnosed at the age of 33, over 40 years ago, when a diabetic had to run a test strip, four times a day, under a stream of urine. Things are unbelievably easier now.

It's a fascinating journey. The good thing about this book is that it's inspiring because it's about a normal person. She doesn't handle the news well. She starts off her life with diabetes by using it to think she's now special, and worthy of attention. And it's her honesty and truth in this self-discovery that allows us in to witness this very personal story.

A criticism of the book is that it meanders endlessly. If you like chronological, or linear, you might have an issue with its structure. But if you can, stick with it, especially if you're diabetic. It's a journey, a message, that will speak to you.

By the time I reached the end of the book, I realize I've been, simply, a coward in how I am facing my diabetes. My self-awareness has been slow to come. I'd like to make a move to change, and I have Mary Tyler Moore to thank.

I do recommend Growing Up Again.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, otherwise known as CLL or cancer of the blood cells, is the most common type of adult leukemia. CLL accounts for nearly one-third of all leukemia cases. The average age of diagnosis is 72.

The May 2009 issue of NARFE magazine has a terrific article on CLL by Dr. Marilyn S. Radke. She says:

"Leukemia starts in the bone marrow -- the soft material in the center of bones where blood cells are formed (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets). CLL starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the bone marrow. CLL invades the blood and can spread to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and other parts of the body.

"One type of CLL grows slowly, rarely needs treatment and has an average survival of 15 years.

"Another type of CLL grows faster and has an average survival of eight years.

"Risk factors for CLL include:
- Certain chemical exposures;
- Family history (parent, sibling or child had CLL);
- Male gender;
- North American and European race/ethnicity.

"Smoking, diet, radiation and infections are not proven risk factors for CLL, and there are no known risk factors for CLL that a person can change to prevent this cancer.

"Symptoms of CLL can include the following:
- Weakness;
- Fatigue;
- Weight loss;
- Fever;
- Night sweats;
- Swollen lymph nodes (felt as lumps under the skin);
- Pain or 'fullness' ion the belly after eating (due to an enlarged spleen)."

Gentle Pilates at the WCRC

A "Gentle Pilates" class, with Erica Wright Belle, is being offered by the Women's Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) at their place in Oakland.

Gentle Pilates
Saturday, May 2, 10 - 11 am
RSVP: margo@wcrc.org or 510-601-4040x111
Where: 5741 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Walnuts Reduce Cancer in Lab Mice

todaysthv.com reports that researchers have found that walnuts reduce cancer in lab mice.

You can read the story at this link.

Breast Cancer Rate Tumbles to a Record Low

British online newspaper, The Independent, reports that "Britain's cancer community was celebrating yesterday after the charity Cancer Research UK reported that deaths from the disease have fallen to a record low."

The report also says that, even though the death rate has plummeted, the incidence of cancer has soared, doubling since 1971 to over 45,000 cases per year. "Breast cancer is now Britain's most common cancer, even though it principally affects only one sex (there are a few hundred male cases per year)."

The article points to early screening, improvements in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and longer-term hormone treatments as the cause for the drop.

See this link for The Independent's Health & WellBeing page.

What Are Friends For?

from the NY Times:

Excerpts from What Are Friends For? A Longer Life By TARA PARKER-POPE

Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship and social networks in overall health.

A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends.

A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk for obesity among people whose friends gained weight.

And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties could promote brain health as we age. “In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t terribly well appreciated,” said Rebecca G. Adams, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. “There is just scads of stuff on families and marriage, but very little on friendship. It baffles me. Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.”

In a new book, “The Girls From Ames: A Story of Women and a 40-Year Friendship” (Gotham), Jeffrey Zaslow tells the story of 11 childhood friends who scattered from Iowa to eight different states. Despite the distance, their friendships endured through college and marriage, divorce and other crises, including the death of one of the women in her 20s. Using scrapbooks, photo albums and the women’s own memories, Mr. Zaslow chronicles how their close friendships have shaped their lives and continue to sustain them. The role of friendship in their health and well-being is evident in almost every chapter. Two of the friends have recently learned they have breast cancer. Kelly Zwagerman, now a high school teacher who lives in Northfield, Minn., said that when she got her diagnosis in September 2007, her doctor told her to surround herself with loved ones. Instead, she reached out to her childhood friends, even though they lived far away. “The first people I told were the women from Ames,” she said in an interview. “I e-mailed them. I immediately had e-mails and phone calls and messages of support. It was instant that the love poured in from all of them.” When she complained that her treatment led to painful sores in her throat, an Ames girl sent a smoothie maker and recipes. Another, who had lost a daughter to leukemia, sent Ms. Zwagerman a hand-knitted hat, knowing her head would be cold without hair; still another sent pajamas made of special fabric to help cope with night sweats. Ms. Zwagerman said she was often more comfortable discussing her illness with her girlfriends than with her doctor. “We go so far back that these women will talk about anything,” she said. Ms. Zwagerman says her friends from Ames have been an essential factor in her treatment and recovery, and research bears her out.

In 2006, a study of nearly 3,000 nurses with breast cancer found that women without close friends were four times as likely to die from the disease as women with 10 or more friends. And notably, proximity and the amount of contact with a friend wasn’t associated with survival.

Just having friends was protective. Bella DePaulo, a visiting psychology professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, whose work focuses on single people and friendships, notes that in many studies, friendship has an even greater effect on health than a spouse or family member. In the study of nurses with breast cancer, having a spouse wasn’t associated with survival.

“People with stronger friendship networks feel like there is someone they can turn to,” said Karen A. Roberto, director of the center for gerontology at Virginia Tech. “Friendship is an undervalued resource. The consistent message of these studies is that friends make your life better.”

Women's Health Fair at San Leandro Library May 16th

The 2nd Annual Women's Health Fair will be held at the San Leandro Public Library:

When: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 10am to 2pm
Where: San Leandro Public Library, in the Karp/Estudillo Room and Lecture Hall
Address: 300 Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro, CA
What: Free health screenings, hear about nutrition facts every woman needs to know, talk to health professionals, obtain the latest women's health information.

They will also have speakers on the following topics:
Feeling Fabulous After 50 from Head to Toe
Weight Loss at Any Cost vs. Health at Any Size
Fitness at Home: Exercises You Can Do in Your Living Room
Breast Cancer: Learn the Statistics, Risks and Latest Treatments

Free admission, but reservations are required by calling (510) 583-8818, or by visiting their government district website.

Thanks to California State Assemblywoman, the Honorable Mary Hayashi, for sponsoring this.

Diabetes Study: Doctors Too Strict in Treatment

USA Today (April 21, 2009) reports that "doctors may be urging their Type 2 diabetes patients to maintain blood-sugar goals that are too strict, suggests an article in this week's Annals of Internal Medicine."

The authors of the journal study reviewed several trials of people with Type 2 diabetes and noted that, in their opinion, the patients are "burdened with complex treatments, hypoglycemia, weight gain and costs."

The authors go on to say that treatment concerning A1C level should be on a case-by-case basis, and not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. They suggest that physicians focus more on supporting healthy habits, preventive care and reducing cardiovascular risks as well as individualizing patients' A1C targets.

Exercise Will Reduce Risk of Cancer & Dementia

Exercise is a wonderful thing. It's absolutely a motivator to read about the benefits of walking, my preferred way of getting exercise.

Exercise reduces the risk of colon cancer and probably breast cancer. New research confirms this, according to the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter (May 2009). The British Journal of Cancer combined the results of 52 studies and found that physical activity reduces the risk by 24%, on average. And a recent German study of nearly 10,000 women concluded that physical activity could indeed help protect against breast cancer, especially for women over 50.

Research has consistently found that staying physically active is a key to preserving brain function. Studies have shown that older people who get regular exercise are less likely to decline mentally or develop dementia. Aerobic exercise such as running or cycling seems especially beneficial, but any activity can help, including strength training and ballroom dancing (these two were the focus of recent studies). Exercise probably benefits the brain by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, controlling weight, and improving cholesterol levels and blood sugars. In addition, brain scans show that aerobic exercise can actually improve brain activity and produce new brain cells and connections between them.

I'm posting this as I get ready to go out and walk my 3 miles. As I said, this kind of news is a great motivator.

Oats Are a Good Source of Fiber

Oats, along with barley, are the best source of a kind of soluble fiber called beta glucan. Beta glucan helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL). So, when you see a healthy claim on oat products, believe it.

Oat fiber helps control blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity.

Oats contain phytochemicals such as saponins and other antioxidants that may also help reduce the risk of heart disease. They may also help relax blood vessels and maintain blood flow.

All forms of oatmeal (such as old-fashioned, instant, steel-cut) are whole grains and are similarly nutritious. But "oatmeal breads" barely have enough oatmeal to allow them to maintain that healthy image, but not enough for actual health.

Source: UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, May 2009

Take Classes

I went to my first Diabetic Group meeting today. Actually, it's not my first, but I barely remember the other group meeting I attended; it was about 3 years ago or so.

I don't understand enough about diabetes, and I feel stupid even admitting that. So I admitted it today among the other 5 members and 3 staff. Fortunately, they're starting a Diabetics 101 at my clinic, and will notify me when it starts in a month or two.

My biggest problem with handling my diabetes is nutrition. I don't really understand what is a good meal, how to make a nutritious meal (that I will eat). What could be tasty but nutritious. And they apparently have one of THOSE classes going right now, once a month, so I'll attend that, too.

I made a goal of eating in a healthy way a few months ago, but I'm having problems following through. Hopefully, these classes, this information, will help.

Rage Workshop May 21st

The WCRC is holding a free Rage Workshop at their offices on May 21st:

Healing Rage Workshop
Transform your rage~
A Rage Workshop is being given by the Women's Cancer Resource Center on May 21, 2009.

Host: Ruth King
Type: Education - Workshop
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Women’s Cancer Resource Center
Street: 5741 Telegraph Avenue
City/Town: Oakland, CA
Phone: 5106014040

Skin Cancer Deadliest for Women in Their 20's

According to a new United Kingdom study, as reported by News-Medical.Net: "The deadliest form of skin cancer has now become the most common kind of cancer for women in their 20s - according to the latest figures from Cancer Research UK which launches its 2009 SunSmart campaign today.

"Almost every day of the year in the UK a woman between 20 and 29 is diagnosed with malignant melanoma - the potentially fatal form of skin cancer. In this age range there are twice as many cases of melanoma as there are of breast cancer.

"Latest figures show around 340 women in their 20s were diagnosed with melanoma in a single year.

"And for women in their thirties melanoma has risen to be the third most common cancer after breast and cervix."

Omega-3 Vitamins Can Fight Cancer

The Senior Journal (seniorjournal.com) reported that, "Researchers who found that docosahexanoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oils, reduced the size of tumors in lab animals and enhanced the positive effects of the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, while limiting its harmful side effects, are calling for wider use of omega-3 in the fight against cancer."

For the entire article, see this link.

Blushing Drinkers Are Prone to Cancer

It was an interesting article posted on the New York Times news service: "People whose faces turn red when they drink alcohol may be facing more than embarrassment. The flushing may indicate an increased risk for a deadly throat cancer, researchers report."

There are other indicators, including nausea and a rapid heartbeat, which may or may not appear in such cases. The problem comes from an inherited deficiency in an enzyme called ALDH2, and can mostly be found in people of East Asian ancestry.

This deficiency results in an inability to metabolize alcohol, which leads to an accumulation in the body of a toxin called acetaldehyde.

Some people have such violent reactions that they are unable to consume large amounts of alcohol. The ironic part is that this reaction actually protects them against the increased risk of cancer since they can't consume too much and become heavy drinkers.

Mary Tyler Moore's Book on Diabetes

I read in USA Today yesterday (March 23, 2009) that Mary Tyler Moore, the actress from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show, has written a book about handling diabetes in her life.

She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 30. The book, Growing Up Again, offers a personal account of living with this disease.

When she first learned she had Type 1, she had a vision of "languishing on a chaise lounge, nibbling chocolates." She soon learned about sticking herself to check her glucose level, and injecting herself with a syringe.

She has now lost a lot of her vision, which means she can't enjoy a lot of her hobbies. But she remains upbeat and courageous.

How to Lower Your Blood Pressure

In Best Life magazine (April 2009), someone wrote into the health column, asking if an orange a day would automatically reduce his blood pressure.

No, replied cardiologist Steven E. Nissen, MD.

But he did offer this advice:

"To lower your blood pressure without (or in addition to) medication, exercise vigorously for 30 minutes a day, lose weight, consume a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and reduce your salt intake. The last two strategies alone can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 points."

Cancer Victims Helped By New Government Program

This from John Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50 (April 2009):

"Social Security benefits are now quicker and easier to get for people who have certain cancers and debilitating diseases. A new program, Compassionate Allowances, speeds up claims processing for people with qualifying conditions. For more information, check the program's website."

Giving to Breast Cancer Research for Broadway Cares

My partner Ruth and I attended the San Francisco performance of "Wicked" yesterday, and we had a blast.

During the curtain call, actor Nicolas Dromard, who plays Fiyero in the play, announced that they were doing several things for Broadway Cares to benefit AIDS and breast cancer research. In addition to the usual t-shirts, etc., they were selling photo opportunities with the two witches, Elphaba and Glinda. Of course, we couldn't pass that up.

So the photo shows me, actress Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda), actress Vicki Noon (Elphaba in green face), and Ruth. I had a hard time pushing into the billowing Glinda dress to get reasonably close to her; it's extremely substantial and weighs a ton, according to one of the stage hands, the one who has to transport Glinda's dresses. But I managed. And it was wonderful to actually meet these performers, still see them in their wonderful costumes.

It's a very cool play if you haven't seen it, and turns the Wizard of Oz myth on its ear in several respects. And you'll be humming the songs when you exit. And if you get a chance, support Broadway Cares in its very worthy causes.

Sleep for Weight Loss

One of our readers sent us the below article. She found it on AOL. Be sure and read the numbered pieces of advice at the end, a prescription for how to set yourself up for more sleep.

We don't want to give the impression that this makeover was effortless; finding time for more sleep does take work. In fact, one of our testers, Natasha Crawford, 33, wasn’t able to stick to the plan for more than two or three nights a week because of a crazy job schedule. But even though she didn’t lose weight, by the end of the plan she had still lost a total of two and a half inches off her waist, bust and hips.

At least two dozen studies have documented that people tend to weigh more if they sleep less, says Sanjay Patel, M.D., a researcher at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. In a 16-year study of almost 70,000 women, Dr. Patel and his colleagues found that those who slept five hours or less a night were 30 percent more likely to gain 30-plus pounds than those who got more rest. In fact, some experts believe lack of sleep is one reason for America’s obesity epidemic. The average woman gets six hours and 40 minutes of sleep most nights, according to the National Sleep Foundation -- much less than the seven-and-a-half-hour minimum our experts say healthy women need.

What exactly is the sleep-weight connection? Science shows that sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on hormones that control appetite, cravings and the metabolism of fat. See how these findings translate to your body.

Whether you notice it or not, you probably eat more, sometimes much more, when you’re tired. Proof: Researchers at the University of Chicago allowed people to sleep five and half hours one night and eight and a half on another, then measured how many free snacks the participants downed the next day. They ate an average of 221 calories more when sleepy -- an amount that could translate into almost a pound of fat gained after two weeks! “When women are deprived of sleep, they have an increase in ghrelin -- what we call the ‘go’ hormone -- because it makes you want to go eat more,” says Breus, clinical director of the sleep division at Southwest Spine & Sport in Scottsdale, Arizona, and author of Beauty Sleep. “They also have a drop in leptin, the ‘stop’ hormone that tells you to stop when you’re full.” Not only do you want more food when you’re sleep-deprived, you also want junkier food: Your body craves simple carbohydrates (chocolate, pastries, candy) that it can break down fast for quick energy, explains Breus. “I used to eat a ton of sugar every afternoon,” "Glamour" volunteer Johnson says. “But now I can have just a small piece and feel satisfied.”

Even before seeing the number on the scale drop much, our testers noticed other changes. Three weeks into the plan, Braverman easily put on a pair of pants that used to be too snug. And at the two-month mark, Hamilton-Romeo told us, “My stomach is getting flatter and my love handles smaller.” By the end of 10 weeks, she’d shaved almost five inches off her waist, hips, bust and thighs -- even though, at 5’4” and 133 pounds, she wasn’t overweight to begin with. The explanation? “During deep sleep, your brain secretes a large amount of growth hormone, which tells your body how to break down fat for fuel,” explains Breus. “Deprive your body of deep sleep, and when extra calories get stored as fat, there isn’t enough growth hormone to break it down. So your body takes a shortcut and packs it away in your butt, thighs, belly -- wherever you tend to put on weight.” Says Braverman, who lost a total of two and a half inches: “The changes in my body fascinate me, because I really haven’t changed anything except my sleep habits. I eat the way I always have and exercise the same amount, maybe even less because my schedule is tighter now that I have to go to bed earlier!”

Perhaps not surprisingly, all of the women on our plan said they felt much less tired. And though we told them not to make any conscious exercise changes, a couple of them couldn’t help themselves. “I’ve always worked out,” Barr told us, “but I’m spending more time at the gym because I finally have the energy!” Says Foley, “I used to have days when I’d want to go home and just veg out on the couch; now I’d rather run or do something physical -- a complete revolution in my lifestyle.” Breus wasn’t surprised. “Your perception of how hard or easy exercise is to do is directly affected by how sleep-deprived you are,” he says.

1. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
Write down the time you need to get up in the morning, then count back seven and a half hours. That is the time you need to be in bed. But we're not out to kill all your fun: On Friday or Saturday nights, you can go to bed one or two hours later than usual and sleep in one or two hours the next morning -- as long as you get your required seven and a half hours.

2. Start a bedtime routine.
Create a presleep ritual -- such as light reading, a hot bath, stretching -- beginning somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour before the time you've planned to close your eyes. Pretty soon, your body will start to associate specific actions with relaxation and falling asleep. And turn off your TV, computer, BlackBerry and cell phone before that time begins. "When your brain senses light shining in your eyes, it stimulates the wake response and lowers melatonin, the hormone that cues you to feel drowsy," says Steven Park, M.D., author of "Sleep, Interrupted."

3. Watch your caffeine and alcohol habits.
Don't have any caffeine after 2:30 P.M. (including caffeinated tea and soda), and avoid sipping alcohol three hours before bedtime. Booze may knock you out at first, but it keeps you from getting deep sleep, says Breus. As the sleep-inducing powers wear off, you may even wake up.

4. Experiment with exactly how much sleep you really need.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, some women require as many as nine hours of sleep a night. If you're snoozing seven and a half hours and still can't wake up without your alarm, you need more. Try hitting the sack 15 minutes earlier each night until you reach the perfect time for you -- it may take a week or so before you reach your own ideal sleep number.

What to Say to the Doctor

I was talking to a young friend the other day. She was complaining about various aches she had, and that whenever she went to the doctor she would bring up one and then get sidetracked and forget the others.

Remedy Magazine (Spring 2009) had an article suggesting the best way of approaching that doctor's meeting.

Have an Agenda. Decide what you want to accomplish in your visit. This includes getting to the cause of your various symptoms as well as less urgent concerns, like prescription medication refills.

Prioritize. Write down your complaints or symptoms, then list them from most urgent to least. That way, if you get sidetracked or forget to go down the list, you'll have covered the most important issues.

Know Your Medications. Review your medications -- and why your doctor put you on them -- when you visit the doctor in order to avoid problems and dangerous interactions of the meds. The simplest way to do this is to bring the bottles with you.

Speak Up. If your doctor suggests a treatment plan that will be hard for you to follow, ask for adjustments. Doctors' orders should take in to effect your lifestyle and values. But your doctor won't know unless you tell them.

Early Detection for Cancer

Thanks to a reader for sending me this link to a recent Wired magazine article on early detection of cancer. Our reader says, "It's an interesting piece on how money is being spent to fight cancer and the potential for getting an edge on the disease through better early detection."

Optimists Live Longer than Pessimists

A new study (as reported in today's USA Today, March 12, 2009) suggests that you'll live healthier and longer if you're the glass-is-half-full kind of person.

The study analyzed 100,000 women in the Women's Health Initiative and found that optimists -- women who expected that good things, not bad, would happen -- were 30% less likely to die of heart disease during the course of the study than pessimists.

And "trusting" women were 23% less likely to die of cancer than their "cynically hostile" -- or highly mistrustful -- counterparts.

Which am I? Well, I have always considered myself an optimist but a cautious one. However, I do have friends who say I'm negative about possible outcomes. I mean, when I go to an event, I won't bother trying to seek out the closest parking space but will grab the first one I can as long as it's reasonably near.

I certainly don't see myself as "cynically hostile." Do you see yourself that way?

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, California and the United States.

Getting screened via colonoscopy is the most important thing you can do for yourself in regards to this deadly disease. Do it now, and schedule it regularly (once every 10 years for those at low risk) in concert with your doctor's advice.

MRI Doesn't Reduce Risk for High-Risk Women

This is from the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Basically, they found that surgery on the healthy breast once a woman is found with breast cancer only reduces the risk of cancer from 0.7% to 0.04%, but that women often choose the surgery anyway. And that MRI of the opposite breast in such women has shown no overall survival benefit.

"Many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast fear that they are at increased risk of getting cancer in their other breast. Actually, the risk of that happening is, on average, 0.7% per year. In recent years, more and more radiologists are doing MRI screenings of the healthy breast in diagnosed women. Is there any benefit of using MRI to look at a woman’s healthy breast when she has been diagnosed with breast cancer? What are the benefits and risks?

"In his presentation, Dr. Tuttle showed that the expanded use of breast MRI among newly diagnosed patients is one of the main factors behind the doubling of contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (removing of the opposite, non-affected breast before breast cancer is found in that breast). Although prophylatic surgery reduced the risk of cancer development in the opposite breast by 95%, it is important to remember that the annual risk was small to begin with. That means that prophylatic surgery reduced the risk from 0.7% to 0.04%. Dr. Tuttle noted that there was no proven survival benefit from such aggressive surgery, but many patients still opted for it.

"In multiple prior studies, researchers found that MRI screening of the opposite breast at the time of initial diagnosis led to a large proportion of women undergoing unnecessary biopsies. Prior research has also shown no overall survival benefit from contralateral prophylactic mastectomies. We are also concerned that prophylactic mastectomies create complications that can delay recommended chemotherapy or radiation. NBCC’s analyses points out that while existing guidelines recommend MRI screening for high-risk women (positive BRCA 1 or 2 mutation), there is no proof that vigilant surveillance and screening save lives.

"No studies have shown that MRI reduces a woman’s risk of dying from breast cancer."