Recent Comments:
A pear a day ...
That's Fit
Jan 14th 2008 2:02PM Great reminder to eat an apple - or a pear a day. In addition to protecting against heart disease, the National Cancer Institute has reported that foods containing flavenoids, may reduce the risk of lung cancer up to 50 percent. Since both apples and pears are members of the "dirty dozen," the top twelve foods most likely to contain pesticides, it may be wise to choose these organically grown.
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
www.avoidcancernow.com
Radon risk at highest in winter months
That's Fit
Jan 3rd 2008 1:03AM Thank you Chris for bringing up this very real concern!
Radon is currently the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and should be entirely preventable through testing homes. Test kits can be purchased at most hardware stores, and if levels are abnormal the EPA, and many state health departments can provide help on what to do next. There is even a hotline 1-800-SOS-RADON people can call for advice.
Thanks again for addressing radon in our homes. We hear so much about the HPV vaccine, and whether or not it should be mandated, yet over 5 times as many people die from lung cancer from radon in their homes each year, as those who die from HPV related cancers. And, testing homes for radon has no side effects, or controversy!
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
www.avoidcancernow.com
Low doses of radiation and breast cancer: A connection
The Cancer Blog
Aug 31st 2007 6:28PM This is worrisome, and should be a good reminder to all of us, that risks and benefits of any procedure should be weighed. Another study published in the journal "Cancer" last year, showed a four-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer in women carrying a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, if they have chest x-rays prior to the age of 20. While many of these x-rays can guide treatment and may be life-saving, benefits and risks need to be weighed carefully. Most young girls have not had genetic testing for breast cancer, so it is hard to know who is at risk.
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice for Preventing Cancer"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Your couch might be killing you
The Cancer Blog
Aug 30th 2007 1:55PM Thanks for bringing up PBDE's. If we do not find these concerning enough for ourselves, we should avoid PBDE(polybrominated-diphenyl ether)-treated plastics for the sake of firefighters. When burned, PBDE's release very toxic, carcinogenic compounds. Fire-fighters already have an elevated risk of developing several cancers including those of the brain, kidney, bladder, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia -- lets help them out where we can!
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice for Preventing Cancer"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
No link between breast cancer and acrylamide found
The Cancer Blog
Aug 22nd 2007 4:21PM This study provides some reassurance as we watch our teens indulge in fast food, but concern over consumption of french fries still remains. A study published in "Lancet" demonstrated that those who eat at fast food establishments two or more times per week are twice as likely to be obese, and obesity is responsible for 20 percent of cancer in women in the US. Another study published in "The International Journal of Cancer" showed that women who consumed a large amounts of french fries when they were children had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Whatever the mechanism, it would seem wise to cut down on fries whether or not acrylamide poses a cancer risk!
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Should heart imaging CT scans for young women be ruled out?
The Cancer Blog
Jul 23rd 2007 3:22PM I think what this study does, is raise public awareness that we need to discuss risks and benefits of procedures with our health care providers. Although uncommon, some 20 year old women due to various factors, may be more at risk of heart disease than some 70 year old men.
Another recent study also pointed out this concern over radiation. It was found that women who carry a certain genetic mutation for breast cancer had a four-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer if they had chest x-rays before the age of 20. While many of these studies can guide treatment and be life-saving, sometimes a safer alternative, such as a thorough exam and close follow-up, can be effective.
Lynne Elridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
What are you willing to give up?
That's Fit
Jul 14th 2007 5:19PM I agree our health is so much more important. Currently 20 percent of cancers in women in the US are due to obesity. If people truly understood this, perhaps the fries would not be as tempting (acrylamide in fries is listed as a human carcinogen as well).
Rather than talking about foods to avoid, I appreciate the American Institute for Cancer Research's approach. They recently released a cookbook "The New American Plate" focuses on weight control as well as healthy eating. Their philosophy is, that to eat healthy food, it has to taste wonderful. If we make attempts to make the healthy foods in our diet scrumptious, hopefully we will be less tempted by any of these "choices". They have great recipe ideas available at www.aicr.org.
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Sunblock is cheaper than Chemo
That's Fit
Jun 28th 2007 7:16PM I agree that sunblock is much cheaper than chemotherapy, and chemotherapy fails more often. So your readers understand, there is a difference between sunblock and sunscreen. Sunblock blocks both UVA and UVB rays quite effectively as long as it is reapplied often. Products that do this include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
With regard to sunscreen, always choose a product that protects against UVA as well as UVB rays even if it is more expensive. Products that just screen out UVB rays (the "burning rays"), have not been shown to protect against the deadliest skin cancers. Look for products containing either mexoryl SX (In L'Oreals Anthelios SX) or helioplex (found in several Neutrogena products).
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Cravings and the undoing of a diet
That's Fit
Jun 25th 2007 1:39PM Thanks for sharing this information on taking control of cravings. Most of us know that the current obesity epidemic parallels an increase in portion size in our diets over the past 30 years. The average woman is eating 335 calories per day more than she did only 30 years ago, and to combat this with exercise alone would require walking 75 minutes a day more than she did 30 years ago simply to maintain her weight.
Despite this knowledge, portions are hard to limit when our stomachs grumble. For those looking for helpful recipes for weight loss, the American Institute for Cancer Research has taken the approach of proportion rather than portion. Filling our plates with 2/3 low calorie density foods and limiting high calorie density foods to only 1/3. This can help stop the grumbling tummy and still significantly limit calories.
They have many recipes available at their website, www.aicr.org, and have also published a cookbook titled "The New American Plate, Recipes for a Healthy Weight and a Healthy Life". At a recent talk in Minneapolis, it was clear that their approach is very empowering and refreshing for those health-conscious people trying to shed a few pounds.
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
How to get kids eating healthy when they're picky eaters
That's Fit
Jun 23rd 2007 2:31PM Thanks so much for sharing these tips! Knowing that our childrens diet now affects their risk of cancer both in childhood and later in life, it is important that they eat right!
As a mom of four I know some kids are born pickier than others! These tips are great, but sometimes it takes us as parents needing advice (myself included). I have found the book "Parenting with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline M.D. and Jim Fay, a great resource when I find myself pulling out hair trying to keep my kids healthy!
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
