I made appointments for my routine annual physicals as I normally do every year. Things were a little different this year as I had to make some adjustments because I had recently moved. One test after another came back fine, and my doctors applauded my perceived healthy life style as evidenced by low blood pressure, low cholesterol and lack any physical symptoms of disease. It would be another year of good health – that is until I got a call from the Breast Imaging Center at the hospital telling me to come in for more tests, they found something that needed to be looked into.
After receiving the call from the Breast Imaging Center, I remember hanging up the phone and thinking, there is no way I could have cancer. I work out, I eat healthy, and I just completed my Board Certification in Holistic Health – I am okay, I know about wellness. I was also gripped by an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty – I did not sleep at all that night. I started doing some homework about my risk factors and getting real about my lifestyle. I was surprised to learn that there were certain risks for getting breast cancer that I could do nothing about such as my age, the age that I gave birth to my first child, previous use of hormones or family history. That being said, there were several things that could begin doing immediately to lower my risk of getting breast cancer.
First and foremost, I had to look at my diet. Most days I was eating healthy but I could certainly increase my intake of nutrient dense plant based foods which contain phytochemicals that are reported to protect the body from harmful compounds in food and prevent cell damage and mutations. I was already eating a decent amount of fruits and vegetables, but now knowing that my life literally depends on it somehow brought a dose of reality into the situation, I was not eating nearly enough. I intend to increase my consumption of known cancer fighting superfoods like broccoli, spinach, kale, and berries just to name a few. There are also certain foods that I will be eliminating entirely like high fat dairy and meats and all processed foods.
Second, I had to evaluate my stress levels. Research indicates that stress plays a role in certain cancers. In fact in Katherine Russell Rich’s book, The Red Devil she speaks about how she discovered a breast lump right after her divorce. I found several other examples of women who after periods of chronic stress found a lump and were diagnosed with cancer or other chronic disease. This to me was a huge wakeup call that forced me to closely evaluate my personal and career choices to see what issues were causing stress and how I look at how I could eliminate them completely. After all, what could possibly be worth risking your health for?
Third, I had to take a look at my weight. Several studies have been published indicating that a BMI of 25 or greater puts women at risk for breast and other cancers. My BMI is 26.5 and while it does seem like a lot, it is significant when considering my overall risk factors for cancer. I want to do everything possible to minimize my risk for cancer – prevention is key. Reducing my weight by about 10-15 lbs will bring my BMI just under 25 and reducing my risk for cancer.
Forth, continue to get regular and consistent exercise – at least 4 hours per week. As I recently completed the More Fitness Half Marathon, this seemingly would not be a problem; however I had to admit that my exercise habits were sporadic at certain times like the recent winter months or during periods of increased activity/travel for work. I had to ensure that exercise was a priority for my wellbeing.
Last and probably most difficult is the elimination of alcohol. While I am not a heavy drinker, I do enjoy a glass of wine now and then. Published reports link alcohol use to an increase in breast cancer risk, and that’s just not worth it to me.
So what is next…well, I had my follow-up exam and the results are that I probably don’t have cancer. Yes, seriously I got a letter saying just that and I am scheduled for a follow-up in six months. Rather than sitting around worrying the future, I’ve decided to commit to a lifestyle that significantly reduces my risk for cancer and other chronic disease. I will also be sharing the journey as part of my program – Making the Case for Wellness which is designed to increase awareness on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
