Stress and Breast Cancer

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can understandably be tough on any woman—but imagine being diagnosed the very day your husband’s vice presidential bid ends. Then, once the cancer has gone into remission, having it return in the midst of your husband’s grueling campaign for presidency. And then, as if all that weren’t enough, fighting the battle while it’s publicly revealed that your husband had an affair and fathered another woman’s child.

This was the scenario for Elizabeth Edwards, who succumbed to metastatic breast cancer a year ago this month. Her struggle sparked interest in a question that researchers have been asking for years: Does stress contribute to breast cancer?

No one knows for sure, but many scientists are interested in the relationship between the two. While some factors, like the breast cancer gene (find out more about getting tested for it at www.bracnow.com), have been definitively linked to breast cancer, stress is still undergoing research.

Looking for a Link

A study last year at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that stress was a sort of “fertilizer” that spurred the growth of breast cancer in mice, as it redirected immune cells meant to ward off the disease and helped tumors spread. They also found a 30-fold increase in cancer progression in stressed mice when compared with those that were not stressed.

A long-term study of 1,400 Swedish women in 2003 reported that women who were under stress had twice the risk of developing breast cancer as women who didn’t report issues with stress. Although the study was small, it did control for other factors such as family history of cancer, alcohol use, body weight, smoking, and age when a woman first got her period. Similarly, an Israeli study in 2008 showed that young women who had been through two or more traumatic life events were at a greater risk for breast cancer than those who hadn’t.

On the other hand, many studies have failed to find a link, such as one that looked at women who had lost a child—despite the extreme stress, they were no more likely to get breast cancer than other women.

Teasing out stress and its effects is difficult—for example, people who are stressed might be more likely to eat more unhealthily, drink more alcohol, or engage in some other behavior that could increase the risk for cancer.

Stress Busters

Although stress in small doses can be a great motivator, it seems likely that the kind of stress Edwards was under only made her fight against the disease more difficult. While scientists continue their research, it’s worth de-stressing in general if you feel that anxiety and tension are having a negative impact on your life. Here are six quick tips for minimizing day-to-day stressors:

• Say no to taking on more responsibilities if you already feel overwhelmed.

• Play music that makes you happy.

• Call a friend on the phone.

• Focus on your breathing.

• Get some fresh air, especially if you’re often cooped up indoors.

• Carve out time for things you enjoy.

 

About BRACAnalysis:

  • It enables you to make important choices and take steps to reduce the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
  • The results of the test can make a significant difference in your life and the lives of your family members, depending on your family history of cancer.
  • The cost of the test is reimbursed by most insurance plans.

If you’re wondering if BRAC Analysis is right for you, visit www.BRACnow.com for more information.

 

Oh, Sugar! All About Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy can throw a lot of curveballs your way—morning sickness, Braxton-Hicks contractions, strange cravings—but one development that catches many women by surprise and turns your 40 weeks into a whole new ballgame is the onset of gestational diabetes.

The result of high blood sugar in pregnancy, gestational diabetes affects approximately 18 percent of women, according to the American Diabetes Association. Why this happens to women who otherwise have no history of diabetes is still being researched, but it likely involves pregnancy hormones blocking the insulin in your body from properly doing its job, which is to help glucose (sugar) become fuel.

There typically aren’t any symptoms associated with gestational diabetes, so you’ll be screened at about 28 weeks for it. If your glucose levels are high, you’ll take an additional test to determine your diabetes status.

Whom It Affects

You’re more likely to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes if you are obese, have had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy, have a family history of diabetes, or previously gave birth to a large baby (around 9 pounds). For reasons that are unknown, women who are not white are more likely to be affected. Those 25 and younger are at a lower risk.

What It Means for You

To keep your gestational diabetes in check, you’ll need to be even more vigilant about having a healthy diet than you were before. Keeping sugar to a minimum is important, as is eating at regular intervals—no skipping meals! If your balanced diet and exercise routine don’t control your diabetes, you may have to take medications or insulin.

After you give birth, your diabetes is likely to disappear, but recent studies have shown that women who had gestational diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes down the road. Make sure your doctor screens you for diabetes symptoms as time goes on, and keep up the nutritious eating that was necessary during pregnancy. Exercise also helps.

What It Means for Your Baby

Babies born to moms with gestational diabetes are more likely to be bigger at birth, which could cause problems with delivery (or necessitate a C-section). They’re also at a higher risk for having low blood sugar levels and breathing problems in the first few days of their life. Because your baby will store extra fat if you have elevated sugar levels while pregnant, this could lead to a higher risk of being overweight in both childhood and adulthood.

The better you manage your gestational diabetes, the less likely it is that any problems will occur. So knock it out of the park with a healthy diet, moderate exercise and following your doctor’s recommendations, and you’ll have a great shot at being home free of any lasting complications to you or your newborn.

For help with a healthy eating plan for your pregnancy and beyond, consider A Better You, Dr. Rebecca Cipriano’s weight loss and weight management program. Call 732.866.8446 or email to set up an appointment to meet Dr. Rebecca and discuss how she can help you get on track now.

 

The Pros (and Cons) of Progestin-Only Birth Control

Continuing in her series on contraception, Dr. Julie Leizer talks the pros and cons of progestin-only birth control.

Some of the most commonly used methods of birth control are hormonal. However, there are 2 different types of hormonal birth control- combined (containing estrogen and progesterone) and progestin-only. Both types are equally effective when used properly, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The types of progestin-only birth control are the pill (mini-pill), the shot (called Depo-Provera), implant (Implanon), and IUD (Mirena).

Progestin methods are often used in women that can’t take estrogen due to certain medical conditions. People who have had blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis should not take estrogen-containing birth control. People prone to these conditions should also not use estrogen-containing birth control. The same goes for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, smokers >35y/o, and people with migraine headaches with an aura. People who are breastfeeding usually prefer progestin-only birth control because estrogen-containing birth control can decrease their milk supply.

The most common side effect of this type of birth control is irregular bleeding. People may experience bleeding in between periods, irregular spotting throughout their cycle, or they may stop getting a period all together. People may also experience headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, or weight gain. The progestin can increase your appetite, so although the medication itself does not cause weight gain if you are hungrier you may eat more and this can lead to weight gain. Depo-Provera most commonly causes weight gain as compared to the other methods discussed here.

The progestin-only pill, or mini-pill, is a pill that is taken daily. It is important to take the pill at the exact time every day, because even a delay as little as three hours can lower the efficacy of the pill. When starting the pill you should use a back-up method of birth control for the 1st week. The same should be done if a pill is missed. If used perfectly the failure rate is about 0.3%. Along with irregular bleeding, which is the most common side effect, people may also tend to develop ovarian cysts. This medication may not be effective if used in combination with certain anti-seizure medications.

Another type of progestin-only birth control is an injection called Depo-Provera. It is an injection that is given about every 12 weeks. This injection should be given ideally during the 1st 5 days of your period. In people that are breastfeeding the shot can be given during the post partum period, and it can even be given immediately after delivery. Again the most common side effect is irregular bleeding. Many people will stop getting a period completely after several injections. It can take about 6 months or more to get a regular cycle back after stopping the injection. Depo-Provera can lead to reversible bone loss, especially if used for more than 2 years. This bone loss is reversible after discontinuation of the shot, but it is important to take in sufficient calcium and vitamin D while using the shot.

Another kind of progestin-only birth control is the implant, called Implanon. This is a small implant, about 2 x 4 cm, which is placed in the upper arm. It must be inserted and removed by a healthcare provider. It can be left in place for 3 years. It also can lead to irregular bleeding or absence of your period.

The Mirena IUD is a device that sits in the uterus for up to 5 years while slowly releasing progesterone. For more details on this refer to last months article on IUDs.

Remember that all of these methods are fairly reliable methods of birth control. They are also helpful in people who have heavy periods because it can cause them to become lighter or to stop all together. None of these protect against sexually transmitted diseases, however, so you should always use condoms if you are at risk of developing an STD. Check in next month when we’ll be discussing combined hormonal methods of birth control.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Natural Ways to Stay Healthy All Winter Long

As moms and women on-the-go-go-go, we simply do not have time to get sick. It’s just not an option, right?

Here are our top ways to keep colds at bay during the sneezin’ season.

An Apple A Day

The old wives’ tale is true! Apples, especially the Red Delicious variety, are ripe with immunity-boosting antioxidants, which also increase heart and circulatory health and even lower cholesterol, thanks to their high fiber content. As with everything you are going to put in and on your body, choose organic whenever possible.

It’s A Wash

Washing your hands is one of the most effective and easiest ways to stay healthy. Scrub ‘em up good with soap and warm water (steer clear of antibacterial hand sanitizers—they do more harm than good) for a good 15 seconds (which is about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”). In between washes, be sure to keep your hands off of your face, as germs spread into the body via nose, mouth and eyes.

Skip It, Sugar!

Sugar is indeed the biggest dietary demon. If you want to fortify your body against everything from the common cold to cancer, kick sugar to the curb once and for all (barring a treat here and there, of course).

C You Soon

Citrus is loaded with vitamin C, which supports the immune system and alkalinizes your body, which not only keeps you from getting sick but ensures that you’ve got energy to spare.

Carrots Take The Cake

Packed with infection-fighting beta-carotene, carrots (and sweet potatoes and spinach) are a tasty way to snack sickness away.

I’ll Drink To That

Staying hydrated by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water a day not only keeps things flowing to help the body get rid of toxins but it keeps mucous thin and helps your mucous membranes resist infection.

Snooze So You Don’t Lose

A good night’s sleep is key—as in absolutely essential to your overall health. Being well-rested shores up your immune system and helps fight anything wicked that comes your way. For optimal natural health and energy, commit to a solid eight hours a night.

What a Tea-se!

Skip the caffeine (especially if you want to master a good night’s sleep) and go for caffeine-free herbal tea. Packed with L-theanine, a compound that helps supports the body’s response to infection, tea has been shown to help its avid drinkers produce more anti-bacterial proteins (up to five times more!) than non-tea drinkers.

Nice Moves

Exercise not only helps keep the pounds off, but it supports all of the body’s vital functions, which, in turn, staves off colds and other winter ailments. 30 minutes a day of cardio and light weight training are the look-good, feel-good prescription for life,

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