Childhood obesity is recognized when total body weight is more than 25% fat in boys and more than 32% fat in girls. With the associated health risks and issues of self-esteem that accompany childhood obesity, it is important that parents take this issue seriously.

The cause of childhood obesity has many variables. Heredity is a definite factor. Metabolic rates are initially genetically set, they can however be influenced by a myriad of contributing factors. Caloric intake and activity levels play a major role, and are the key to readjusting the body’s own natural expenditure of energy.

While it is a fact that children of obese parents are 40% more likely to be obese also, the age of the onset of obesity is also a determining factor as to whether a child will become an obese adult.

As children struggle for autonomy in the formative years, body image is often directly related to a child’s self-esteem. The age-old adage that “children can be cruel” is a life lesson known to many children categorized as obese. Helping your child develop healthy eating habits early on could influence them for a lifetime. Starting early could make the difference in your child’s outlook.

It should be a doctor that diagnoses obesity in a child. Having a baseline weight chart and a realistic plan of action is essential for implementing an individualized plan for the child. As a life style change is often indicated, the entire family needs to take an active role. Once the plan is initiated, consistency and support are the keys.

One of the biggest mistakes parents sometimes make early on, is using food as a reward. In the child’s mind an association between good and food can cause an unrealistic dependency on food as a source of comfort. On the opposite end of the spectrum, children restricted from making any of their own food choices may become more prone to obsessing about goodies that have been denied them. A balance of the two must be achieved to instill a healthy attitude towards food.

Very young children have an inborn “full” switch. Many parents of toddlers create an issue about eating where none should exist. Making a child “finish” all that is on his plate could inadvertently cause validation that the feeling of fullness should be regularly over-ridden. A mistake that should be avoided.

To assist a child with weight loss, activity levels need to be increased and this usually works best with the whole families involvement. Make activity a regular part of the child’s life through both organized activities and family fun that encourages active participation by the child. Limiting the hours that a child may watch television is often a way of reducing snacking used to alleviate boredom. Taking the child for a walk to the park or bike ride can be healthy alternatives. Totally denying the child “treats” is an other common mistake with some families. If the child feels constantly denied, the want for treats can increase in an unnatural manner.

Providing healthy and balanced meals are a given, but something as simple as sitting down as a family for the meal can help reinforce good habits by example. Offering fruits and vegetables in a kid friendly manner can make them enjoy the foods you serve. Many children will eat raw vegetables much more readily than cooked ones so offer them as a source of snacks. Limit the amount of high-caloric foods that are on hand in your kitchen. If a child knows there are cookies in the cupboard they will be less likely to ask for a banana or an apple. It also must be remembered that children should not be totally restricted from fat as it is necessary for the rapid cell growth that their bodies are undergoing during childhood.

Making the program fun and varied can assist your child’s outlook toward eating and exercise. Try to incorporate the changes in a way that your child will enjoy. This could be the time to get the rollerblades they have wanted or to enroll them in swimming lessons. Make an after dinner walk a fun routine for the entire family.

Implementing the changes in a gradual way is another option that works well for very young children. The benefits will show not only in the child’s shape but also in the added image of self they feel from the sense of accomplishment at reaching their goals. You may even lose weight, too!

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Your physician

One of the most important health care decisions that you will make is your choice of a personal physician. The physician is central to your health care team, and is responsible for helping you maintain your overall health. In addition to detecting and treating ailments or adverse conditions, your physician and his or her coworkers should also serve as primary sources of health care information. Because the physician plays such an important role in your overall health care, it is important that you understand the full range of the physician’s role as health care and information provider.

In providing any type of treatment or counseling, your physician should base his or her decisions upon an extensive knowledge of your current condition and past medical history. A complete medical history should include the information that is listed in the “Medical history checklist” section. Your physician should keep accurate and comprehensive medical records containing this information. Because your treatment (and your health) is dependent upon a full disclosure of your medical history, as well as any factors that may currently be affecting your health (i.e., stress, smoking, drug use, etc.), it is important that you inform your physician as fully as possible, even if you might not consider this information important.

It is important that you inform your personal physician of any other physicians, dentists, or other health care professionals that you are seeing. You should also inform your physician of the pharmacy that you use or intend to use, so that he or she can contact the pharmacist if necessary.

In treating any health problem, your physician should make every effort to help you understand completely the nature of the problem and its treatment. He or she should take the time to explain the problem, why it may have occurred, and what preventive measures (if any) can be taken to avoid it in the future.

Your physician should explain fully the reasons for any prescribed treatment. He or she should also be willing to discuss alternative therapies, especially if you are uncomfortable with the one that has been prescribed. Your physician should always be willing to answer all of your questions to your satisfaction.

In selecting a physician, you should look for one who will provide a full range of services. Asking for a full medical history and providing complete information about your treatment and medications are some of these services. There are several other issues that you may want to consider. Does your physician:

* Inquire about your general health as well as specific problems?
* Have a good working relationship with your pharmacist? With the nurses and staff at his/her office?
* Periodically have you bring in bottles or labels from all of the medications (prescription and nonprescription) that you are taking or have at home?
* Periodically check the status of your vaccinations?
Consult peers with specialty training for difficult problems?

You may also want to consider your physician’s medical credentials. Your local medical society should be able to provide specific facts about your physician’s training, experience, and membership in professional societies.

Your pharmacist is an important member of your health care team. In addition to performing traditional services, such as dispensing medications, your pharmacist can help you understand your medications and how to take them safely and effectively. By keeping accurate and up-to-date records and monitoring your use of medications, your pharmacist can help to protect you from improper medication therapy, unwanted side effects, and dangerous drug interactions. Because your pharmacist can play a vital role in protecting and improving your health, you should seek a pharmacist who will provide these services.

To provide you with the best possible care, your pharmacist should be informed about your current condition and medication history. Your personal medication history should include the information that is listed in the “Medical history checklist” section. Your pharmacist should also be aware of any special packaging needs that you may have (such as child-resistant or easy-to-open containers). Your pharmacist should keep accurate and up-to-date records that contain this information. If you visit a new pharmacy that does not have access to your medication records, it is important that you inform that pharmacist as fully as possible about your medical history or provide him or her with a copy of your medication records from your previous pharmacy. In general, in order to get the most out of your pharmacy services, it is best to get all of your medications from the same pharmacy.

Your pharmacist should be a knowledgeable and approachable source of information about your medications. Some of the information that your pharmacist should explain is listed in the “What you need to know about your medicines” section. Ideally, this information should also be provided in written form, so that you may refer to it later if you have any questions or problems. The pharmacist should always be willing to answer any questions that you have regarding your medications, and should also be willing to contact your physician or other health care professionals (dentist, nurses, etc.) on your behalf if necessary.

Your pharmacist can also help you with information on the costs of your medicines. Many medicines are available from more than one company. They may have equal effects but different costs. Your insurance company, HMO, or other third-party payment group may reimburse you for only some of these medications or only for part of their costs. Your pharmacist will be able to tell you which of these medications are covered by your payment plan or which cost less.

In selecting a pharmacist, it is important that you understand the role of the pharmacist as a member of your health care team and the extent of information that he or she should be asking for and providing.

Because pharmacies can offer different types of services and have different policies regarding patient information, some of the issues that you should consider in selecting a pharmacist also relate to the pharmacy where that person practices. There are several issues regarding the pharmacist and pharmacy that you should consider, such as:

* Does the pharmacy offer written information about the generic medication? Home delivery?
* Are you able to talk to your pharmacist without other people hearing you?
* Can the pharmacist be reached easily by phone? In an emergency, is a pharmacist available twenty-four hours (including weekends and holidays) by phone?
* What types of payment are accepted in the pharmacy?
* Does the pharmacy accept your HMO or third-party payment plan?
Does the pharmacy offer any specialized services, such as diabetes education?

A smoker who has quit but has relapsed a few times may always refer to himself or herself as a smoker, just as an alcoholic would say, “My name is Bob and I am an alcoholic.” The implication and meaning are the same. The smoker will always use it to remind himself that he is, at heart, a smoker.

Muriel explains further. “I blew it once when I had quit for almost three years. I was in a new job for a year and was so used to not smoking. My work mates were treating me as a person who had never smoked. They would often make deprecating remarks to me about smokers, and even though I even told a couple of them that I once smoked, they paid no attention. So just as I used to play mind games with myself when I was trying to quit smoking, I now began to fool myself that I fit the description that these non-smokers had of me. I believed it without giving too much thought to it.

One day when I found myself in a crowd of smokers, I lit someone’s cigarette for them. People laughed. I didn’t feel anything, or so I thought. Then stupidly, I played the game a few more times in the day. In all, I took about four puffs. Those four puffs got the ball rolling again, and I was back at it fulltime by the end of the week. That time though, my smoking increased to a couple of packs a day. So in my case, I will always think of myself as ‘a smoker struggling to remain quit’ and will say so up front whenever I can.”

Brad: “Not a big deal for me. I’ve been an ex-smoker all my life,” he laughs. “An ex-smoker for a year or two, an ex-smoker for a few months, or an ex-smoker for six years. Every few years, I go back to it, not that I’m proud of it. I even call myself ‘an ex-smoker in relapse’. I don’t like being a smoker.” He smiles again. Asked when he would give up smoking for the final time, he replied, “I say I will never go back to it, but something’s always happened that I would give in. One of these days I’ll get it right.”

“Edgar told me, “I am a non-smoker, period. It’s a mindset, an attitude. I refuse to be led back into the trappings or to anything that will make me smoke again. I don’t ever want to have to quit again. Smokers nowadays shy away from non-smokers, so by aligning myself with them, no one bothers me. I really don’t think much about the whole question. Yeah, I smoked once. I don’t any more. I’m a non-smoker.”

Joye added another dimension to it. “My children are almost at the age I was when I began smoking. By calling myself a non-smoker, I may be giving them a message, but if they have a moment of rebelliousness such as the one that led me to smoke in the first place, then it would upset me. So instead, I tell them the little I know about genetics and how some day scientists will discover or isolate the addiction gene. There’s no doubt in my mind that they will. So I want my children to know that they probably carry that gene and I really don’t want to see them struggling to overcome an addiction. We discuss smoking and drugs and alcohol. There’s depression on my husband’s side of the family and there apparently is a genetic factor in that too. So if I give my children anything in life, it’s the idea of avoiding those things, not because they’re weaker than others, but because in our family, those are the things we know we have to avoid. Wish us well, will you?”

“Maybe you’d better see a sex therapist.” That’s what Karisa was told by her gynecologist after he had run some tests and found nothing wrong. “In other words, he thought it was all in my head,” said the twenty-nine-year-old middle-school teacher. But Karisa knew that the burning sensation and the painful intercourse she was experiencing were real and that something definitely was not right.

Fortunately, Karisa didn’t let her (former) doctor’s words stop her. She did some research on her own and found information about what appeared to be the answer: vulvar vestibulitis. She then went to a new gynecologist for another opinion and had her suspicions confirmed.

WHAT IS VULVAR VESTIBULITIS?

Vulvar vestibulitis is a type of vulvodynia, a syndrome characterized by stinging, irritation, burning, and a raw feeling in the external female genitalia, or vulva, and inflammation of the vaginal opening and the surrounding tissues. These symptoms make sexual intercourse extremely painful and impossible for many women.

In fact, the Vulvar Pain Foundation estimates that 100,000 to 150,000 Women in the Untied States suffer with this syndrome. (This could be greatly underestimated, however, as many doctors don’t recognize this syndrome.) Most affected are white women ages 20 to 60. Not only is sexual intercourse painful for these women, but for many it is difficult to sit or walk because of the pain.

Symptoms of Vulvar Vestibulitis

* Severe pain in the genital area with pressure; for example, when exercising, biking, wearing tight clothing, using tampons, during

sexual intercourse

* Burning, stinging, feelings of rawness and irritation within the

vestibular area (below the urethra opening and above the hymen)

* Redness and inflammation in the vestibular area

* Difficulty walking or sitting

* · Sudden and frequent urge to urinate

WHAT CAUSES VULVAR VESTIBULITIS?

Researchers at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City discovered a gene which they believe may be responsible for about 50 percent of cases of vulvar vestibulitis. In the study, 52.9 percent of women with vulvar vestibulitis had the rare gene, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 gene). Less than 10 percent of women in the general population have this gene.

The IL-1 gene regulates inflammation in other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. This is the first time it has been associated with vulvar vestibulitis.

Stephen S. Witkin, PhD, a member of the study, says that simply having the rare gene doesn’t guarantee women will get the syndrome. Something must trigger the inflammation process.

That something could be several different things. Some studies indicate that the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be a trigger. One problem with this idea is that in most women who have the virus, their immune system destroys the virus, which makes it impossible for doctors to isolate and identify whether it was the culprit.

Other researchers suggest that yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, a history of cryotherapy and carbon dioxide laser therapy, and the use of

irritants such as spermicides, lubricants, soaps, and bath oils could trigger vulvar vestibulitis. Further research is needed to identify any

and all causative factors.

TREATMENT

For now, women who have vulvar vestibulitis can only treat symptoms rather than address the cause. Some of those effective treatments include:

· Tricholoroacetic acid, which destroys the affected skin and allows healthy skin to grow in its place

· Interferon injections, which enhance the immune system

· Steroid ointments, which relieve itching and burning

· Applying witch hazel, or taking a bath with baking soda to relieve itching

· Limiting intake of foods that contain high amounts of oxalate (e.g., spinach, peanuts, beets, chocolate, tea, wheat bran). Oxalates are an irritant that causes burning. By reducing oxalates in the diet you decrease the amount of oxalate crystals in the urine.

· Taking 1,200 to 1,800 mg calcium daily to reduce crystals in the urine

Dr. Witkin believes that with the discovery of the rare IL-1 gene, new treatment options may be around the corner. Already, several compounds that reduce inflammation are being tested.

2. Hair loss can be caused by some prescription drugs like diuretics and anti-depressants. You may be able to get permission from your doctor to take a lower dose of your medication. Or you may be able to substitute a different remedy for this medicine.

3. A hormone imbalance caused by hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can cause the levels of a chemical known as DH to become too high and attack your hair follicles. You can take medications that will solve this problem by rebalancing your thyroid hormone.

4. A lack of calories, often experienced by women who are dieting, can cause hair loss. A strict, low-calorie diet will cause problems like cramps, dehydration and fatigue. Get plenty of protein in your diet to avoid this problem. Your hair needs proteins for health and strength.

5. If you are experiencing high levels of stress, your hair follicles may become inactive. They may even be attacked by your white blood cells. This will cause very rapid hair loss. What is the fix? Try to relax, using yoga, therapy, meditation or other methods. Baldness can be caused by excessive pressure and stress, so it is a good idea to avoid it! It will be hard to grow hair if the pores aren’t closed. Help your pores recover quickly so your hair can regrow.

Does your hair continue to fall out no matter how many expensive products you use? It might be, so you should treat the cause.

Here are 5 terrible habits that can cause hair loss.

1. Washing your hair every day

It is not really necessary to wash your hair every day. Too much shampooing can cause hair loss. If you shampoo your hair every day, your sebaceous glands will produce too much oil in an effort to coat and protect your hair. This results in excess oil production. This can cause the hair to become to oily or too dry, depending upon its condition. It can also cause your hair color to become dull. Additionally, it causes hair loss.

2. Using too much conditioner

It is good to use conditioner to treat dry hair, but be careful not to use too much. Your hair will become fragile if you use too much conditioner. Chain forming proteins that are found in some conditioners can cause hair loss. So don’t leave hair conditioner on your hair over 15 minutes, and look at the directions for proper use.

3. Combing hair when wet

Wet hair is quite fragile. If you comb your hair while it’s still wet, the hair is likely to swell up and, ultimately, fall out. Arrange your hair with a wide toothed comb when it is wet. Wait a minute before using a toothed comb. If using a hair dryer, arrange the hair with your hands.

4. Binds hair when wet

Squeezing or wrapping your hair when you don’t have time to dry it can stress your hair. Dampness can cause fungi to grow. This can cause an itchy scalp. If you don’t get this fixed, it might lead to a scalp infection.

5. Using a hair dryer or straightener without protectants

If you are going to use a curling iron, straightening tool, or hair dryer, you must use a conditioner to protect your hair. Foregoing conditioner could cause your hair to be dry, dull and easily break off with heat. Before you use a straightening tool, be sure to dry your hair and/or use a protective product. Be sure to use a product that is designed for your kind of hair.

Lots of things can cause hair loss. Bad health is one condition. Hair loss can also be caused by a hormone imbalance or by slow circulation of the blood.

Researchers have been trying to transplant islet cells for years but have always run into the same problem. Those lethal antibodies are still present and they still assassinate beta cells, whether they are the manufacturer’s original parts, or on loan from the local donor bank.

The idea of islet transplants is nothing new. They have been futile up until the injection heard round the world. The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation issued a press release, announcing that Researchers at the University of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, had successfully transplanted islet cells in eight individuals. These diabetics were brittle diabetics who had uncontrollable blood sugars regardless of what they ate or the medication they used. Today, these people are diabetes-symptom-free and have been for almost a year.

The news was overwhelming. The procedure had been tried over 430 times and failed. Now, suddenly, this previously useless procedure offers hope of a cure.

What made the difference between over 430 failures and eight successes was a new immunosuppressive protocol that prevented the assassin antibodies from hitting their mark. According to The New England Journal of Medicine , the key was a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen consisting of sirolimus, tacrolimus and daclizumab. In English, that means that doctors had developed a regime of immunosuppressive drugs that had stopped the diabetic’s antibodies from killing the new beta cells. Therefore allowing them to attach and begin to produce insulin in type 1 diabetics whom previously needed to inject insulin to control their blood sugar.

Obviously the eight lucky donor recipients were just a small test to see if the new methods were successful. Now islet transplantation has moved into clinical trials at nine centers through out the world. Those centers are:

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at JDF Center for Islet Cell Transplantation at Harvard Medical School

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the JDF Center for Islet Transplantation at the University of Pennsylvania

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the Diabetes Institute of Immunology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the Diabetes Research Training Center of Washington University

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the Center for Islet Transplantation in Seattle

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at Beta Cell Transplantation at Vrije Universiteit Brusel, Brussels, Belgium

JDF Human Islet Distribution Program at the University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

Each of these centers will cull through applicants and perform 50-80 trial transplantations to try to duplicate the results of the University of Edmonton and see if this truly is a chance for a diabetes-free life.

Where’s the dotted line to sign on? Not so fast, there are some obstacles that need to be overcome and some more exciting announcements to tickle your toes and fire up your diabetes-free fantasies.

Right now, the transplants are only being done on the most brittle diabetics (those who cannot feel a low blood glucose beginning and find their blood sugars before they even have the chance to perform a glucose test). The reason for the limitations is that these are simply trials or tests. The outcome is not truly known. It is hoped that like the eight at Edmonton, these people will see their diabetes symptoms subside. But as can happen when small-scale success is attempted to be duplicated in large-scale proportions the outcome is unknown. Some of the test subjects could die. Others could find they are actually worse off than before the procedure. On the other hand, it could be found not to work at all on the majority of test subjects. Therefore, those with stable diabetes would be foolish to risk their lives and health on an untested procedure.

Other obstacles may prevent the procedure from wide-scale availability if it is found successful. One of these is the lack of donor pancreases. Aunt Martha cannot decide to donate hers to you because that would make Aunt Martha a diabetic. And cousin Suzy and your dad can’t join her, each donating a portion of their cells because it still puts them at too high a risk for developing the disease themselves. So all donor pancreases must be from fetal tissue or brain-dead organ donors.

What makes the donor shortage even worse is that it takes two donor pancreases for every transplant. So not only is there a shortage of donors, that shortage now becomes doubled.

Since the future of this so-called cure could look dim, why get excited at all? Well, human beings are stubborn. They just do not take no for an answer. In addition, they are crafty and inventive. What is an obstacle today becomes a stepping-stone tomorrow. In fact, there has already been progress in this direction and a whole new possibility of donor cells has come to light.

Researchers at the Joshin Diabetes Center, as reported by the Boston Globe, found gold from normally discarded pancreas tissue from which the islet cells have been removed. Using special culture techniques, they have been able to coax pancreatic ductal cells, which normally secrete very little insulin, to churn out larger amounts of the hormone.

The ductal cells are precursors that give rise to other pancreatic cells. In addition, mature ductal cells make a small amount of insulin, probably as a backup in case of trauma or injury to the pancreas.

Joshin researchers devised a way to turn the clock back in the ductal cells, so that they become immature again and produce more insulin. If the Joshin technique can be made more efficient and routine, this would be an enormous step in starting to address the shortage.

Procedures such as these will continue to be developed and tested until there is a cure available for every diabetic at a reasonable cost.

As of now the procedure is only being performed on type 1 diabetics because they are the most in need of a cure. That isn’t fair, but it is reality. However, there is speculation that this procedure may also benefit type 2 diabetics who still may produce some insulin.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body, although it produces insulin, fails to use it in the right way. Their cells do not take up the hormone and therefore fail to convert by-products of carbohydrates and proteins into energy. The cause for this is unknown. It could be because of changes within cell receptors or that the insulin produced is not efficient enough to be used correctly.

It is possible that new beta cells that are more effective will produce better insulin. This will then be accepted more readily by those cell receptors. Insulin that is more efficient might even heal broken down cell receptors.

After the type 1 crisis has passed, there is hope to expand the procedure into type 2s and see if it also may be an effective cure for all types of permanent diabetes.

Recently, University of Florida researchers cured diabetes in mice by transplanting into the rodents insulin-producing stem cells harvested from other mice. Stem cells, found in bone marrow and blood, are parent cells from which all new blood cells developed. Preliminary studies suggest that the technique will work in humans. The next step will be trying the technique with stem cells taken from human cadavers. So if islet transplantation doesn’t pan out, perhaps the mouse cure will.

You can be a part of making the cure a reality. First, stay as healthy a diabetic as you can be. A cure probably would not also remove any complications already in progress, so the healthier you are the better your chances of some day living a diabetes-free life. Follow your treatment plan, diet and have regular doctor follow-ups.

Push your government leaders to release even more money for diabetes research. What once was a dream could very well be a reality in our lifetimes. However, it will take money to grease those wheels. Why not become a supporter and advocate yourself? Get politically involved and don’t expect that others will do all the work. There is always a role for you to play.

Encourage your friends and loved ones to become organ donors. There is a drastic shortage in all needed organs and only by choosing to donate precious organs when you no longer need them can these shortages, including pancreatic ones, be alleviated.

Join your local diabetes associations so that they can remain strong both as powerful Washington lobbyists and as fundraisers for research projects. Moreover, stay informed. The more you know the healthier you will be.

There is one very simple way to ride smoothly regardless of your sport. You need to use the shock absorbers nature built into your body.

This means that you must always stay loose, don’t lock your knees and elbows. On skates and boards, leave your knees slightly bent. Watch pro skaters, they rarely stand with their legs straight out. Your knees will absorb the impact of bumps and you won’t loose your balance.

Now on a bike there is a little more to it, forget the fancy shocks built into your bike. These can help on really rough rides, but your shocks only take up a fraction of what your own body can. Also mechanical parts wear out and fail. It would be a mistake to rely on the bike shocks to work every time.

On your bike, set the seat height to allow you to stand on the petals with your knees slightly bent. On road bikes the seat height lets your legs straighten out when you are sitting on the seat. This is to high for MTB. You need to be over the seat more often than on it. (Remember lots of rocks and bumps).

Q: Am I at risk for breast cancer?

It is impossible to predict with accuracy who will get breast cancer, and who will not, since the exact causes of this disease are still being researched. But we do know some of the risk factors for breast cancer. Being aware of these risk factors can help a woman make the decision to have regular screening for breast cancer, and to take preventive measures.

Age and estrogen exposure:

Breast cancer appears to be a disease that affects primarily post-menopausal women, with most cases occurring in women over the age of 50. Caucasian women are at higher risk than those from minority groups. Apparently the cells that cause breast cancer have their growth stimulated by exposure to estrogen over a long period of time. Increasing the lifetime exposure to estrogen, whether from an early onset of menstrual periods, a late onset of menopause, delaying childbirth until after age 30, never having children, or hormone replacement therapy are risk factors in whether cancer cells are stimulated to grow in the breast tissue.

Genetic influence

A positive family history of breast cancer (a mother, sister, or daughter who have this disease) is considered a risk factor for this disease. The younger the age of the family member affected, the greater the risk. Certain genes such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 have also been identified as creating an increased possibility of breast cancer. If a woman is considered high risk, she should be tested for these genes, and she may be eligible for preventive treatment/screening.

Changes in breast tissue

Certain changes in the breast tissue can create an increased risk of cancer, such as atypical hyperplasia (an increased growth of tissue). Breasts that appear denser on mammograms because of increased amounts of lobular and ductal tissue (versus fatty tissue, which is less dense) apparently have an increased risk as well

Exposure to toxins

Some studies appear to show that women who drink alcohol are at increased risk. Exposure to radiation therapy of the breasts at a young age has also been implicated.

Weight gain

According to a Harvard medical study, 16 % of postmenopausal breast cancer was linked to weight gain, with the highest risk for women who put on 44 to 55 pounds after adolescence. The lowest risk was for women whose weight remained stable and did not flunctuate more than 4 to 5 pounds during adulthood.

One problem with identifying risk factors for breast cancer is that MOST women who develop it do not have any risk factors, other than increasing age.

Q: Is there a way to reduce my risk of breast cancer?

As noted above, for many women, there are NO identified risk factors. But there are things a woman can do to ensure either the prevention or early detection of breast cancer (when it is most treatable). Basically, the following tips are part of a healthier lifestyle.

Regular checkups:

These include checking at home by doing a monthly breast exam (the week after your period is the best time, when the breast is not tender). It is especially important to check under the nipple, the upper outer breast quadrant, and towards the armpit since these are areas where most breast cancers occur. Learning what your breasts normally are like will help you with identifying if any changes occur. If they do, notify your health care provider immediately for follow-up.

A yearly professional breast exam in addition to the home exams is important as well. These regular breast checks can find lumps that are smaller and have a better treatment prognosis.

A yearly mammogram, especially after age 40, when the risk of breast cancer goes up, is also an important preventive measure.

Decrease toxins:

Smoking has been identified as a possible risk factor for breast cancer, and quitting can help decrease the risk. Alcohol intake is another identified risk, and cutting down to 2 drinks or less a day has been associated with improved outcomes.

Healthy diet:

A diet that contains less fat (less than 20% of the daily intake) and includes more vegetables and fresh fruits has been recommended in helping to prevent cancer, since they contain antioxidants which fight against free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolism that can damage cells and lead to cancer) in the blood stream. Soy products are also linked with a decreased risk of breast cancer, since they contain genistein, a phytoestrogen).

Natural Progesterone

Estrogen dominance has been linked with an increased incidence of fibrotic breast tissues, cysts, and an increased risk of breast cancer. This is because estrogen tends to increase cell longetivity, and it is these “old cells” that have been implicated in causing breast cancer. Progesterone, on the other hand, encourages breast cells to “die out” when their time is completed, and reduces the risk that breast cancer will develop.

Exercise and weight loss

Exercise is believed to decreases the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. 1/2 hour a day minimum is recommended. Studies have shown that women who gain weight in adulthood are at an increased risk for breast cancer, and exercise is one way of creating and maintaining weight loss. The ideal is to keep a steady weight, without flunctuations up and down.

At first all I heard was his voice, he and a nurse were having a very animated conversation. My heart begin to pound knowing that whatever words came out of his mouth would forever change my life, and would be imprinted in my mind until my final days. My anticipation was growing with each second.

As he walked into the room, I tried to judge his body language as to whether or not the news he carried was good or bad. He began the conversation by the normal small talk, making me more nervous with every word. As he gave me my diagnosis, I held my breath. Hearing the words “no tumor detected,” I released my breath and smiled. I felt like hugging this man. My happiness was halted immediately by the stern look on his face. “The source of your seizures is an illness called Epilepsy. It is incurable, and from this point on, you will be limited in activities and we have yet to figure out if we can control these seizures…” He began to continue on, but I didn’t hear him. Seizures for the rest of my life? Uncontrolled? Medicine for the rest of my life? “Limited?” I have been active all my life. Swimming, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, all gone? I wanted so bad to swim in college; I was looking forward to it so much. The tears that I had held back flowed down my cheeks like two little rivers of shattered dreams. Almost ready to make that final leap into adulthood, I was jerked back by this diagnosis. I felt very angry, like fate had “jipped” me. For the next two months, I sank into a cocoon of self-pity, letting no one talk me out. Looking forward to college, moving out, experiencing life on my own, spreading my wings… I felt as if all this had been ripped from me. My entire life had been turned upside-down and that was all I could focus on. I saw my epilepsy as a huge brick wall holding me back from everything I had ever wanted.

As time passed the summer began to end, and the medicine I was on kept me seizure-free, I slowly began to gain back privileges that most take for granted. I was finally allowed to take showers without someone standing guard outside the door, waiting to rush in at the slightest sound of distress. I was allowed to be left alone. I was allowed to return to work, to re-join my swim team, and three months to the day after my last seizure, I was allowed to drive. The life I thought I’d lost was slowly trickling back to me.

Epilepsy has made me a much stronger person, and without it, I would not realize the true value of my life. I feel incredibly lucky. My life could very easily have been ripped away from me. I am finally at peace with this thing called “Epilepsy.” There are other epileptics out there who have seizures everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. I will still be on medicine for the rest of my life, and am still not out of the woods quite yet. The process of figuring out if one’s seizures are controlled is a long process, and it could be years before I really know. I have a long road of tests ahead of me, a long road of uncertainty. I am told I could have a seizure at any moment, but I’m ok with that. Epilepsy is now a part of me and I have accepted that. My life has pretty much returned to normal, the only difference being a pill taken three times a day. Free to do anything, with few exceptions, I feel great. Instead of being an obstacle in my way, epilepsy has actually turned out to be a great stepping stool in personal growth. I guess things aren’t always what they seem.