Dreaming the Breast Cancer Vaccine
By SusanMouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a proven cause of breast cancer in field and experimental mice. MMTV was discovered way back in 1936. MMTV-like viral genetic material has been identified in human breast tumors, but it’s not known whether it actually causes tumor development. Research has uncovered a human mammary tumor virus, HMTV, which is 95-98% similar to the mouse virus (MMTV), so they are believed to be the same virus.
HMTV has been found in approximately 40 percent of all human breast cancer specimens examined, in 60 percent of pregnancy-associated breast cancers, and in 71 percent of inflammatory breast cancers. Women whose tumors show evidence of the virus have antibodies to it 95 percent of the time, whereas normal, healthy women have antibodies to the virus less than 5 percent of the time.
A research team, led by Vincent Tuohy, PhD, at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, have developed a vaccine that prevents breast cancer tumors from forming in mice, while inhibiting the growth of existing tumors. The vaccine contains the antigen a-lactalbumin. In the latest study, genetically cancer-prone mice were vaccinated - half with a vaccine containing the antigen and half with a vaccine that didn’t contain the antigen. None of the mice vaccinated with the antigen developed breast cancer, while all of the other mice did.
Unlike the FDA approved cervical cancer vaccine and liver cancer vaccines, both of which target viruses (human papillomavirus and Hepatitis B viruses), this mouse vaccine targets cancer formation itself. Tuohy explains that the key in developing a human breast cancer vaccine is therefore to find a target within the tumor that isn’t typically found in a healthy person. In the case of breast cancer, they are targeting a-lactalbumin, a protein found in the majority of breast cancers but not in healthy women, except during lactation. The vaccine is expected to stimulate a woman’s immune system to target a-lactalbumin, stopping tumor formation without damaging healthy breast tissue.
The hoped for strategy would be to vaccinate women over 40, when breast cancer risk begins to increase and pregnancy becomes less likely. The vaccine would also be an alternative option for younger women with a heightened risk of breast cancer, instead of prophylactic mastectomies.
While there is still controversy over just how many breast cancers contain a-lactalbumin, Tuohy is hopeful that his findings might lead to vaccines for other types of cancer, and so am I. His vaccine is ready to be tested for safety in humans, but guess what. Komen has turned him down for funding 3 times and Avon has refused to even consider it. Hmmmm…. Maybe Mr. Tuohy scared the queens of pinkwashing when he said, “”If it works in humans the way it works in mice, this will be monumental. We could eliminate breast cancer.”
I first heard about the possibility of one or more breast cancer viruses from Dr. Kathleen Ruddy, founder of The Breast Health and Healing Foundation. Talk About Health hosted a question/answer session with Dr. Ruddy, which is a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about this topic.
Susan Beausang, 4Women.com
Further reading:
Spring Get-Togethers: What to Bring? Try Black-Eyed Pea & Red Pepper Hummus
By Pink Kitchen
This dip is not just loaded with bold flavor, but also nutrition. Black-eyed peas are powerful! Not only do they symbolize good luck – they are also loaded with iron. And the addition of roasted red pepper adds vitamin C, which amps up your iron absorption. Add a whole-grain bread or chip, and you’ve got a complete protein.
This hummus is topped with a Middle Eastern spice called nigella sativa. You can find it in ethnic markets or online. If you'd prefer, you can substitute cracked black pepper …but I highly recommend investing in a jar of nigella sativa, which has a wonderful toasted onion flavor.
A great dipping option for this hummus is toasted whole-grain bagels. Slice the bagels in half (if not pre-sliced), then cut into quarters. Place bagel pieces on a tray. Bake for 350 degrees until toasted, about 20 minutes (check after 15 minutes).
Black-Eyed Pea & Red Pepper Hummus
1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained (or 2 c. cooked)
1 tbsp. tahini
2 whole roasted red bell peppers (or the equivalent amount of red
pepper strips)
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. sea salt or pink salt
1 tbsp. nigella sativa
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. water
Topping: 2 tbsp. olive oil, additional nigella sativa for drizzle
Place all ingredients except toppings into a food processor and blend until smooth. Place hummus in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil and nigella sativa.
Thanksgiving and Family Medical History...
By Soccermom4FORCE
What do these two things have in
common?
In 2004 the Surgeon General of the U.S. declared the Thanksgiving
holiday, "Family History Day". At Thanksgiving families gather
from far and wide, so it is the perfect opportunity to discuss,
and more importantly document, your family medical
history.
With the focus on the role of genetics and heredity in medicine now, it is important for families to take the time to record as much medical history as possible. Our aging parents and grandparents have invaluable family information. If we do not take the time to compile these records, it will be lost to future generations whose health may depend on it.
To this end there
is a downloadable form on this site
https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action
that will make
the task easier. The information can then be stored on disc or by
other means and shared with all family members.
In reality we will all have family that suffer from one disease
or another. This tool will make having discussions with doctors
regarding treatment decisions for these illnesses much more
productive.
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Running on Empty - Coping with Cancer Stress
By DebbieWWGN
ABOUT: Debbie Woodbury is a
cancer survivor, blogger, speaker and advocate. She created
WhereWeGoNow, an
interactive online community for cancer survivors living life
beyond cancer. Join her to share and connect with other
survivors!What Do Mom Jeans Have to Do With Self-Confidence?
By DebbieWWGNWith realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world. Dalai Lama
Sometime in the 1980's or early 1990's I decided to stop wearing jeans because I looked horrible in them. I held my thighs responsible for what I saw in the mirror. Many years later, I rediscovered jeans and now wear them all the time. What changed? (Hint: There is no way I actually got thinner over the decades.)
What completely escaped me all those decades ago was that fashion itself doomed me to failure. The jean style back then was high-waisted (well above the belly-button) with tapered legs. I put them on and instantly looked like a pear on stilts. What's more, they flattened out my derriere, making it look wider than it actually was. Today that same jean style is affectionately known as the Mom Jean. If you are wearing them right now, I apologize if I offend, but believe me when I say that you can do so much better.
Is it any wonder I felt ugly when I wore those jeans? Of course not. What is a wonder is how easily I took the blame for what I saw in the mirror. Rather than recognize that the jean itself was wrong for my body, I labeled my body as wrong. What I saw in the mirror mirrored my self-confidence. I completely believe that true beauty lies within. But, if we look in the mirror and see something horrifying, it's hard to get past it sometimes. That's why I had such a hard time with the scars from my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery that first summer. When I looked in the mirror, the butchery my body underwent to treat a disease became a part of my self image. Just like those jeans, the ugliness of my surgeries projected ugliness onto me.
As time went on, I realized I did not have to label myself as damaged and ugly. I participated in the American Cancer Society's "Look Good...Feel Better" program and had a wonderful experience. I joined a rehabilitative exercise class, signed up at the local YMCA and began doing yoga. Taking back control over my body gave me self-confidence which exceeded the level I had pre-cancer.
Self-confidence has many sources, but I think one of the most important is the support we give ourselves. Most of us do feel better when we look good. Take a class, expand your horizons, make your nest comfortable and nurturing. When you give yourself the support you need to feel better, you give yourself the gift of self-confidence. From there, who knows what you can do to build a better world?
Did your level of self-confidence take a hit because of cancer? What are you doing to build it back up?
ABOUT: Debbie Woodbury is a cancer survivor, blogger, speaker and advocate. She created WhereWeGoNow.com, an interactive online community for cancer survivors living life beyond cancer. Join her to share and connect with other survivors!
WhereWeGoNow.com
Twitter: DebbieWWGN
Facebook: WhereWeGoNow as Cancer Survivors
Copyright 2012 Where We Go Now, LLC
HOLIDAY BLAWG
By Susan
How does one put the “merry” into Merry Christmas or the “happy” into Happy Holidays when your Mother has received a diagnosis of DLBCL (Diffuse Large-B-Cell Lymphoma) two weeks before Christmas?
I recently wrote about the seemingly dismissive attitudes of doctors when dealing with intermittent symptoms from my otherwise healthy 89-year-old mother. Mom has had a pain in a specific spot in her back for over a year. In her doctor’s defense, she has had her share of diagnostic tests that did not reveal any abnormalities. BUT she has also been rushed to the hospital several times when the pain became too severe to tolerate. She’s been told the pain stemmed from arthritic changes - even though the spot was sensitive to the touch and not achy bone pain. Doctors also suggested that the pain was possibly psychosomatic (ie. in her mind). Only when the tumor screamed out, “Hey, look at me!” and she experienced 3 pleural effusions resulting in 3 thoracenteses ( lung tap to remove fluid) did the doctors start to suspect something more serious.
When fluid accumulates in areas of the body where it doesn’t belong, it can be a sign of a malignancy. Mom is a 27-year breast cancer survivor, having had a mastectomy without any other treatment. This fluid was on the side of her mastectomy. After 2 lung taps that did not show any significant pathology, I suggested to the doctor that he order a PET scan. Well, Medicare had the last word on that request: “Not indicated - not paying”. The pain persisted and the fluid kept coming. Finally, on the last CTA a 7 cm pleural paraenchymal mass was detected and biopsied. I expected to hear that my mother has a distant metastasis of her breast cancer, but I was wrong.
DLBCL is a very aggressive form of cancer. Mom’s oncologist suspects that the spot that she persistently complained about was the cancer presenting itself almost a year ago. NOW they would like to get a PET scan to see the involvement in other areas. I’m not trying to play Monday quarterback here but how much responsibility lies with the patient to push for more testing? And it seems that Medicare has the final word anyway.
Holiday cheer is hard to come by in my house at the moment. I’m normally a person that takes on adverse situations and tries to find a silver lining or acceptance. My Mom’s attitude is amazing and certainly helping the rest of us. She has some difficult decisions and perhaps a rough road ahead. I’m afraid that this situation may forever shape our Holiday memories. My advice is to give your Mom a hug and tell her you love her. Life is full of surprises and sometimes it’s not in the form of a wrapped present under the tree.
Susan Beausang, President 4women.com
PATIENT ADVOCATES- THE FLOUR IN THE CAKE
By Susan
As my Mom continues to suffer the side effects of a fluoroquinolone drug, I am more convinced than ever of the importance of patient advocates, especially for the elderly. Mom has Lymphoma, the bad kind, but her symptoms today - confusion, anxiety, and disorientation are not related to her underlying disease or her age. I know the symptoms all to well, the nasty side effects of fluoroquinolones, as I too was “floxed“.
Mom has always been independent and competent, making her own medical, financial, and life decisions. Today she is scared, needs someone to help her navigate through this broken medical system and make decisions for her. I can vividly remember feeling the same way when I was “floxed” years ago. Although it took me more than a year to recover, I had youth in my favor and was not suffering from cancer.
Yesterday was mom’s scheduled treatment day. The doctor decided she was too run down to risk receiving treatment. I keep wondering if it’s not the Avelox preventing her from receiving the treatment she needs. I can’t tell you how anxious I was to get at those doctors and hear their justification for prescribing a restricted, last-resort antibiotic, contraindicated for the elderly, and intended for treatment of confirmed bacterial infections that have not responded to other treatment. THIS is the drug they gave my mom for her cold symptoms.
The nurse chose to argue with me, but I would have none of it. I INSISTED that Mom’s records instruct that she is NEVER to be prescribed any fluoroquinolones. The nurse asked, “How about Cipro (another flouroquinilone)?” I’m like, “What part of NO fluoroquinolones do you not understand!?” She continued to try and sell me on fluoroquinolones, when the doctor came in. Lucky for him, he agreed with me, and Mom’s records now show that she has an allergy to fluoroquinolones.
Patient advocacy has gone from being the frosting on the medical care cake to being a necessary ingredient in any recipe for medical care that does more harm than good. Patients have to be informed, but all the information in the world still doesn’t help if you (or your advocate) doesn’t have the tenacity to insist that your views, concerns, and wishes be acknowledged, with or without the MD behind your name. This is especially critical for the elderly, who often do not have the resilience to recover from medical mistakes or sloppy drug-pushing.
What has happened to our medical system? Once upon a time, there was a deep bond of trust between doctors and patients, back when we didn’t need to be a walking pharmaceutical encyclopedia to understand our medical care. What if we didn’t have the internet? Would we (the patients and patient advocates) be better or worse off? How do you think your doctor would answer that question? Are you willing to rely on information that you receive from your doctor, or do you feel the need to research and direct your own care?
Susan Beausang, 4Women.com
Are you affiliated?
By Terry“Thought you'd like to see this in case you are affiliated” -with a link regarding a pink organization my acquaintance does not lend his approval was the brief message….
Are you affiliated….a song floated through my tired brain, “Are you affiliated”….wove around and somehow became the Hendrix song, “Are you experienced…." Most likely an artist my acquaintance might not approve of either…..and was the uninvited soundtrack to my uninvited day.
Are you affiliated … a deep tired that sleep will not help, after spending hours with a woman only 49 yrs old. Cindy, mom of Ian, 11 yrs old and Jamie 8 yrs old, who was in her last days of home hospice, after an 18 month battle, only downhill, never a break or even a pause in her fight with IBC, Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Are you affiliated….the older of the boys comes into the bedroom, unaware he might not get to see his mom awake again, absentmindedly leans into me, I with the same absentminded habit of a mom of five, draw him near. He hugs me, looks up and says, “I don’t know you, but I love you.”
Are you affiliated…when the family couldn’t handle what was happening, I was the one wiping the bile off of Cindy’s face, the vomiting was so bad…finally the emergency team came.
Are you affiliated….and when the ambulance doors closed in front of her house, I was the only one on the sidewalk to smile and tell her it will be ok, soon, it will be ok…
Affiliated? I don’t know. I have held many a hand of a woman dying of IBC, the rarest of the breast cancers, because you see, I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer too. And for whatever reason you don’t like whatever pink organization is out there, just because I have the most fatal form of breast cancer known, I am not in charge of the breast cancer world. Just like no one asked me, “btw, are you ready to get the shit kicked out of you by cancer?” No one from a major pink organization has called to ask me how they should spend their money. Again, I am not in charge. But what I am in charge of is how I spend my time, give my love, show my compassion...
Are you affiliated…the next lines of the song came to me, “Are You Experienced?
Ah! Have you ever been experienced?
Well, I have”
Post note: Hendrix said the message in "Are You Experienced?" is said to be to let go of the daily hardships of life and take a moment to relax and look at your life. Jimi tells us to find peace within ourselves; "not necessarily stoned, but beautiful". It is also said that the song is also meant about love.
Is Your Vitamin D Level Putting You at Risk?
By AngelaSeveral recent studies have shown that vitamin D may assist in the prevention of breast cancer. But did you know low levels of vitamin D could also be putting you at risk for the disease?
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that 74 percent of pre-menopausal women who were diagnosed with early stage breast cancer are deficient in vitamin D. In addition, women with early stage breast cancer that have lower vitamin D blood levels have worse outcomes than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
In another breast cancer study that pooled dose-response data from the Harvard Nurses Health Study and the St. George’s Hospital Study found that the data was very clear in showing that individuals in the group with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D had the highest rates of breast cancer and that breast cancer rates dropped as vitamin D blood levels increased.
How can you find your Vitamin D levels?
Vitamin D levels can be determined through a 25-hydroxyvitamin D,
or 25(OH)D blood test.
What are sufficient levels of Vitamin D?
In the studies mentioned, vitamin D levels were determined to be
sufficient at 30ng/mL or greater; insufficient at a level of
20-29 ng/mL; and deficient at levels below 20 ng/mL. Levels
consistently greater than 200ng/mL are considered to be
potentially toxic.
How can you get more Vitamin D?
The best ways to increase Vitamin D levels are first through
diet, then through exposure to sunlight, followed by supplements
of vitamin D3. Foods containing high levels of vitamin D include
cod liver oil, sockeye salmon, and mackerel.
Sun exposure should be 10-15 minutes daily and should be
discontinued before the skin begins to change color (tan or
burn). More
information on vitamin D sources
How much Vitamin D do you need?
The daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 400
international units (IU) of vitamin D does not appear to be
effective in correcting a deficiency. The serum levels associated
with a 50 percent risk reduction could be maintained by a daily
intake of 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3.
Vitamin D Co-Factors
In order to utilize vitamin D properly the body also needs
magnesium, zinc, vitamin K2, boron, genestein, and small amounts
of vitamin A.
What are some other benefits from Vitamin
D?
Adequate vitamin D levels also improve bone mineral density,
quality of life, and mood.
Susan G. Komen Foundation
www.komen.org
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary supplements
http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp
Vitamin D Council
www.vitamindcouncil.org
University of California, San Diego News Center http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/health/vitamind07.asp
Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
By Julie BFlaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
Up to 80% of breast cancer patients take dietary supplements to help treat breast cancer and flaxseed is the third most commonly used supplement. Flax seed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that the body converts to omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Flaxseed also contains lignan which acts as an estrogen receptor antagonist and may help in treatment of breast cancer.Both flaxseed and flax seed oil have been studied for their beneficial effects on breast cancer, in treatment and potential to reduce tumor growth.
Recently a study with a showed combination of TRAS, or Trastuzumab, with flaxseed oil enhanced the tumor-reducing effects. In fact, using a low dose of TRAS and flaxseed oil was as effective as high dose of TRAS. (TRAS is a first line drug therapy for breast cancer, when the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 is overexpressed.)
Other benefits of Flaxseed and Flax seed Oil:
Cardiovascular disease: can lower cholesterol, prevent and reduce atherosclerotic plaque, and may help with arrhythmia. Other health conditions that may see improvement are asthma, Parkinson’s, reduction in hot flashes, constipation (ground flaxseed), and psoriasis.
************************************************
Avoid flaxseed if you have a history of intestinal blockage or ileus, have swelling or stricture of the esophagus, or if you are pregnant. Consult with your doctor first if you are taking medications, are planning to become pregnant or breast feed, have allergies to medicines or foods, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s).
Flaxseed can be bought whole or ground, and flaxseed oil in liquid or capsule form. Flax seed or flaxseed oil should be protected from heat, oxygen, and light.
Ground Flaxseed:
*has a light, nutty flavor
*can be added to baked goods (such as muffins and cookies)
*can sprinkle on yogurt, cereals, cottage cheese, salads.
*keep cold (in the freezer) and store in an opaque container
*Recommended intake: 1-2 Tablespoons/day
*One tablespoon = 37 kcal, 1 gm pro, 3 gm fat, 2 gm fiber, 1.5 gm ALA
Flaxseed Oil:
*can buy in liquid or capsule form.
*keep refrigerated to prevent rancidity and preserve quality
*must keep cold (refrigerated)
*can add to salads or other cold foods
*Recommended intake: 1-2 Tablespoons/day
* One tablespoon = 120 kcal, 13.6 gm fat, 7 gm ALA
Julie’s Blueberry Flaxseed Muffins:
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
¾ cup ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg , beaten
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons applesauce
1 cup plain soy milk (or skim milk)
¾ cup rolled oats
1 ½ cups blueberries
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix the first 7 ingredients together.
3. Stir in the egg, butter, applesauce, and milk, until just blended.
4. Stir in oats and blueberries.
5. Fill paper lined muffin cups almost to the top.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Nutritional Analysis:
Each muffin contains: one tablespoon of ground flaxseed and 179 kcal, 27 gm carbohydrate, and 6 gm fat.
References:
Mason, J., Chen, J., Thompson, L., 2010. Flaxseed oil-transtuzumab interaction in breast cancer. Food and Chemical Toxicology 48, 2223-2226.
Thompson, L., Chen, J., Li, T., 2005. Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer. Clinical Cancer Research 11, 3828-3835.
MacLennan, M., Ma., D., 2010. Role of dietary fatty acids in mammary gland development and breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research 12: 211, 1-10.
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