I love TheBreastCancerSite.com. Not only will you find the latest, breaking news in the breast cancer research field, you will find instructions for self-exams, many common breast cancer myths are confirmed or debunked, there are inspiring articles, and you can send free ecards from this site. My favorite feature is that by simply clicking on the home page everyday, the sponsors of the website will donate free mammograms to women who cannot afford to got one. Seriously, that is all you have to do! Go to TheBreastCancerSite.com and click on pink box, right on the home page, where is says to "Click here for free mammograms". There are no catches and no strings attached! You can also do some shopping from here. It is a great place to buy gifts, especially with the holidays coming up (great teacher gifts!). All of the proceeds from the sale of these items goes to Breast Cancer Research.
I have been clicking on the box, everyday for 3 years, and it is the easiest way to help other women, without taking more than 10 extra seconds out of your day. I keep the site bookmarked right above my 'Weather' bookmark (which I check every day), and give it a quick click, before I check the weather.
Their donated mammogram numbers were down in 2008, from 3,801 free mammograms in 2007 to 3,315 donated mammograms in 2008. You can follow the 2009 results here, and watch your 'clicking' in action. Hopefully, the 2009 numbers will be back up.
If you do not already know someone affected by breast cancer, chances are, in your lifetime, you will. If you are a woman, it is crucial to do your monthly self exams, visit your doctor every year and get your annual mammograms.
Medical science has not yet reached a point where they can prevent breast cancer from happening, but you can lower your risk significantly. It is estimated that almost 40 % of breast cancer cases in the US, or about 70,000 cases every year, could be prevented by making these straightforward everyday changes, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. I was shocked to hear that 40% of breast cancer cases can be prevented by making lifestyle changes! That is a huge number! I do not want to be one of those 70,000 patients who get a cancer that could have been prevented. None of these changes are drastic, and they will help you live a healthier, happier life anyway.
1 - Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. (have a banana in the morning, some carrot and celery sticks with lunch and a salad or vegetable soup with dinner....not too hard!)
2 - Maintain a healthy body weight throughout your life. (try to keep your BMI under 25, and not yo-yo diet...I know, easier said, than done.)
3 - Minimize or avoid alcohol (women should have no more than one drink a day) and don't smoke at all. (no one is telling you to give up your evening cocktail...plus, smoking is a nasty habit!)
4 - Exercise regularly for the rest of your life, about 30 minutes a day (you know the drill...park in a spot as far away as possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator, etc....) .
5 - Breastfeed your baby. (if possible...if you do not want to, don't...having a new baby is stressful enough, without worrying about 'having' to breastfeed!)
6 - Eat healthy, monosaturated fats, like canola oil, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avoid saturated fats like sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils.(this is easy if you stay away from processed foods and read ingredient labels)
7 - Minimize consumption of white foods....white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and foods containing them. These foods trigger hormonal changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue. (instead eat whole grain bread, brown rice, sweet potatoes and foods high in fiber).
8 - Minimize expose to pharmacologic estrogens, unless medically indicated. (talk to your doctor about this one)
9 - Take a multivitamin everyday. (this one is a no-brainer!)
10 - Get adequate sleep. (7 - 8 hours per night should do it, get to be earlier if you have to!)
11 - Maintain a positive mental outlook. Reduce stress. The mind-body associations with breast cancer are significant. This one is so important. Do whatever it is you have to do to get yourself to a good place in life. Enjoy the simple pleasures of life (a hot bath, a good book, a beautiful day), and find the humor in things (I still laugh whenever I see someone ungracefully trip and fall). It is this sense of joy, inner peace and happiness that helps to carry you through the painful experiences in your life. Take yourself lightly and remember to play and have fun! When was the last time you did something really fun? If you cannot even remember when it was....go out today, and do something fun!
Have you clicked today at http://www.TheBreastCancerSite.com?
Clicks fund FREE mammograms for women -- at no cost to you.
Click today and help spread the word by telling a friend!
Source: www.thebreastcancersite.com
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