. . . a history of the promise
In 1982, Nancy Brinker promised her sister Susan G. Komen that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer, the disease that would soon take Susan's life. That promise became the foundation of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (formerly the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) and launched the global breast cancer movement. The first Komen Race for the Cure stunned the city of Dallas when 800 determined women in running shoes took to the streets to raise money for breast cancer research. To date, nearly $1 billion Komen dollars raised have been invested in medical research, legislative initiative and community outreach programs aimed at finding a cure for breast cancer.
Nancy Brinker had hoped to find that cure within 10 years. Although that has not happened, Nancy's grassroots movement has forever changed the way people talk about and treat breast cancer, and has changed the term breast cancer patients to breast cancer survivors. 2008 marks the 26th year of her dedication to the promise she made to her sister Susan.
AICR study stresses the importance of a Whole Food Diet
A recent AICR (American Institute of Cancer Research) report entitled "Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective" examined over 4,500 studies on the link between diet and breast cancer. The report found that a diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables and beans significantly reduces cancer risk.
A variety of plant-based whole foods working together is thought to be more beneficial than the effect of isolated supplements and vitamin pills. According to Ritva Butrum, Ph. D., "The concept of synergy is key. Future cancer-fighting efforts are more likely to revolve around dietary adjustments than one miracle pill."
The Role of Fiber in Breast Cancer Prevention
The Cancer Project, an organization dedicated to advancing cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research, finds fiber to be essential to the body's ability to eliminate excess estrogens, which may contribute to the risk of breast cancer. As the liver filters estrogens from the blood, it sends them through the bile duct into the intestinal tract, where fiber effectively soaks them up and carries them out of the body.
A recent Swedish study found that women with higher fiber intake at the time of breast cancer diagnosis were more likely to have smaller tumors than women who consumed very little fiber. In the study, the "higher fiber" women averaged only about 19 grams of fiber per day; most authorities recommend at least 30 grams daily, and an optimal intake of over 40 grams per day.
Breast Cancer in Men
The American Cancer Society estimates that by year-end 2007, over 2,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States. Though breast cancer is 100 times less common among men than women, men may not realize they can be at risk and thus may ignore breast lumps assuming they are just cysts of some kind. For this reason, men may not get medical treatment soon enough, and, because they have less breast tissue, malignant tumors do not have far to go to reach the underlying muscle tissue. For men, the extent of spread beyond the breast is most critical to the prognosis.
Because breast cancer in men is uncommon, so is screening mammography. Men with more than one female relative with breast cancer may be advised by their doctor to have a mammogram, but all men are advised to be aware of any changes in their breasts, especially after age 65.
Pink Ribbon Smoothie
Strawberries have been shown to contain high levels of ellagic acid, a proven anti-carcinogen, anti-mutagen and anti-cancer initiator. Grapes contain resveratrol, which has been proven to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. According to Dr. Andrew Dannenburg at Cornell University Medical College, recent research on resveratrol indicates that it inhibits the development of an enzyme commonly linked to breast cancer.
The beauty of using your Vitamix machine to make this recipe is that you'll be releasing the powerful phytochemicals found in strawberries and grapes and making them more bioavailable. Vitamix processing literally breaks through the cell walls of whole foods to release nutrients that go undigested when food is simply chewed.
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh
- 1 slice ginger, fresh
- 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup ice cubes
Directions
Place all ingredients in the Vitamix container in the order listed. Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1. Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to #10; then to HIGH. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Yields 2-1/2 cups.
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source: vitamix
