*** I initially wrote this post in October 2014. ***
My doctor had discovered a lump in my left breast, and I was awaiting my mammogram appointment. . .the outcome of which would change the entire trajectory of my life. Thought I’d bring it back in 2022. . .memories. . .
October has two highlights; my wedding anniversary and Halloween. Other than serving as ammunition for bad (taste) jokes, they have nothing in common.
October is also breast cancer awareness month, which has much in common with Halloween.
I don’t know a single woman, myself included, for whom the thought of a breast cancer diagnosis is not terrifying.
A little over a year ago, following news of a cancer diagnosis for two people very close to me, I titled my newsletter Too Much Cancer, Dammit!, and received more responses than I had before or have had since.
There IS too much cancer, damn it.
There’s so much, in fact, that I would argue even in months not devoted to breast cancer awareness (or colon, cervical, liver, brain, ovarian, prostate and all the other cancers), we can’t help but be aware.
We’re not winning the war on breast cancer.
We may be winning the war on early detection, better screening, and treatment – death rates from breast cancer have fallen 1.9% per year since 2002 – yet rates for new breast cancer cases have remained steady for the past 10 years. (1)
The theme of my aforementioned newsletter was prevention. I’ve devoted my career to educating on preventive lifestyle habits, primarily nutrition and fitness.
The data is overwhelmingly strong – the choices we make on a daily basis directly influence our health. It’s what I advocate for, believe in, and strive to live in my own life.
Yet, regardless of how staunch my position on prevention and cancer, there is no guarantee; for anyone.
In no way can we control (although I could win a gold medal for trying) every aspect of our environment; an environment that is toxic in so many ways.
While we all carry cancer genes, some of us (i.e. my maternal relatives) have the added risk factor of genetic pre-disposition.
Sometimes the deck is simply stacked against us.
I occasionally wonder what would happen if I were diagnosed with cancer (my secret fear, by the way).
I wonder if it would change your perspective on taking care of yourself, as in, “Well, if Cathy Leman has cancer, there’s no hope for anyone – I give up.”
If that was your thought, it would make me really, really sad.
We can’t forget to consider the big picture. Cancer doesn’t appear as the result of something unhealthy you did last week; it takes literally years to develop. (2)
If I were to be diagnosed with cancer, I couldn’t ignore the fact that I haven’t lived my entire life with the attention to prevention that I have prioritized in the last couple of decades.
I can assure you that for much of my twenties, breast cancer prevention wasn’t on my radar; many of my habits during that time weren’t exactly supportive of good health.
At the time of a cancer diagnosis it’s natural to wonder “what caused it?”, yet other than positive genetic tests, it’s essentially impossible to know.
Excess weight, smoking, inactivity, and too much alcohol have all been implicated in contributing to breast cancer, but so has exposure to chemicals in certain plastics (who hasn’t experienced THAT?), and a dizzying collection of toxicity we’ve not clearly identified, and couldn’t avoid if we tried.
That said, I maintain that preventive lifestyle habits put us in a position to fight back hard at whatever health curveball life we’re thrown – even a ghoulish, macabre cancer diagnosis.
A healthy, strong body stacks the deck in our favor, perhaps by. . .
- having a less invasive form of disease
- slowing the rate of disease progression
- supporting the ability to withstand treatments with fewer side effects and stronger recovery
During this month of October (and beyond!), I encourage you to follow the recommendations for breast cancer awareness:
- get screened
- know your risk factors
- know what’s “normal” for you
- practice preventive lifestyle behaviors
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Thanks for reading my blog post!
Most survivors of hormone-positive breast cancer get anxious when they think about what to eat after finishing treatment, so I’ve created the Peaceful Plate program to help survivors eat with peace, not panic.
When you eat with peace, you feel free to enjoy your food again.
Ready to eat with peace?
CLICK HERE and grab your FREE copy of The Five Foods Survivors Should Eat
CLICK THIS LINK and watch my 2-minute Peaceful Plate program video!
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your dietitian or doctor for guidance specific to your needs.
SOURCES
(1) Female Breast Cancer; New Cases, Deaths and 5-Year Survival Rate
(2) How Quickly Do Tumours Develop?