Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone,
It's been quite a dark season for our country, for our world.  I'm not sure if it's because I am getting older that I see and understand tragedy or simply because there really is more tragedy in our world.  Whatever the case, I am looking forward to the blooms of a new year.  2013 is going to be a good year...  In March I will celebrate 5 years as a cancer survivor.  Wow, my first personal landmark!  I still think about cancer daily but not always in a scary way.  Most of the time, I am reading current studies, learning of a newly diagnosed person or reading a blog of a cancer patient's journey.  Even if you haven't had cancer, don't you feel like it's all around you?  I vow to finish the format of my blog Anticancer Amy in 2013.  There are so many things I want to add, but just need to find a professional to help me.  If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear from you.

If you are on the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen for breast cancer, you may have noticed it in the news this month.  One study published in Lancet looked at the benefits of staying on tamoxifen for 10 years vs. 5.  In this study, women who stayed on the drug for 10 years lowered their risk of cancer recurrence by 25% and lowered their risk of dying from cancer by 29% compared to those who took the drug for 5 years.   In another study published this week, researcers at Mayo Clinic found that the liver enzyme CYP2D6 plays a key role in how the body metabolized tamoxifen.  Women who are unable to effectively metabolize tamoxifen may benefit from switching to another drug.  A simple blood test can determine how this enzyme works in your body.  Keep note of these studies to ask your doctor about her recommendation.

As you start to think about your resolutions for the new year, consider the phrase anticancer lifestyle.  Small changes in your lifestyle could potentially alter the health of you and/or a family member for the BETTER.  If you live in Houston, save the date January 14 from 6-7:30 pm.  MDAnderson's Integrative Medicine clinic will present Cancer Prevention and the Power of Lifestyle Change.  Lorenzo Cohen, PhD and Richard Lee, MD will be discussing recent scientific evidence linking lifestyle to cancer. 

Be Well,

Obesityitis

Hi Everyone, Happy Thanksgiving!

I made an appointment for a routine CT scan this morning and before hanging up, the scheduler asked   “Mrs. Waltz, do you exceed the weight capacity of 300 lbs.?“  Huh?   The fact that she even had to ask me if I was over 300 lbs. tells me that there must be plenty of folks getting scanned who weigh plenty over 300 lbs.  I was shocked by her question, but the more I think about it, maybe I’m not. 

Obesityitis is everywhere- on TV shows, in commercials, in every restaurant, in every hospital, in every mall, in every school, in every everywhere.  Obesity has no boundaries- intelligent, rich, poor, young, canine, feline, you name it.  And drum roll please……………………  obesity is now competing with smoking for the numero uno risk for cancer.  Yes, obesity promotes cancer- all types of cancer.  Some of the major leaguers include breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. 

One of my favorite cancer survivors and wellness advocates David Servan-Schreiber wrote in his book Anticancer that the typical American diet is fertilizer for cancer.  If you know me, you know that I am on the thin side.  In fact, I have been thin all of my life- the ‘made fun of as a child skinny type’.  Even though I never struggled with weight, I grew up on the American diet that I know contributed to all the ailments I have dealt with in my 40 years.  Autoimmune issues since I was young, low blood sugar, sinus disease, colitis and then the Big Whammy Cancer. 

What is the typical American diet?  Is it the double meat pizza or chicken fried steak with a baked potato, or maybe a juicy hamburger with extra cheese, mayo and bacon?  My family went on a Disney cruise for Thanksgiving week and I’m pretty sure I witnessed plenty of cruisers enjoying the typical American diet.  What frustrated me the most was the choices for kids.  Every child menu consisted of chicken tenders, a ‘cheeseburger’ (I’m not sure what is really was), cheese pizza and macaroni & cheese.  All of them came with french fries.  There was always a healthier choice like baked cod.  But, most kids I saw were eating the ‘typical American diet’ (including my own).  By the end of the first night we had come up with some guidelines for our kids- every meal must include a fruit and a vegetable, one roll per dinner and Sprite only once a day.  Now, you are probably thinking “it’s vacation, don’t be so hard on them.”  That in my opinion is the typical American response.  Shouldn’t we guide our children to wellness no matter if we are on vacation or not?  My kids did enjoy plenty of Mickey chocolates on a stick and Mickey chocolates in our beds every night and Mickey waffles for breakfast.  Ai Yai Yai!  I wonder if Mickey is on Lipitor or Metformin, or if Minnie suffers from Celiac disease?  Have you seen the wheat belly on Donald?!  Come on Disney!

What is it going to take for America to change?  It’s hard when even the most magical place on earth is serving junk to our kids.  We have to be mindful- all the time, even when on vacation or in the middle of the holiday season.  (Like now, wink-wink!) 

I have a current favorite book.  It’s called Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD.  Pick up a copy and read the introduction- you will be hooked.  Dr. Davis believes that the increased consumption of genetically modified modern wheat explains the contrast between the slender folks of the fifties and the overweight folks of today.  Wheat Belly is full of measurable data consistently showing the extraordinary results of decreasing or eliminating modern wheat from your diet.  Thanks Dr. Tom for the recommendation J.

Be Well,

 

       

Use me God, Use me!

Hi Everyone,

It’s breast cancer awareness month and I am just learning of another friend going on hospice due to cancer.  As much as I support October awareness and all the other awareness months, it’s difficult (frankly it sucks) to be bombarded by cancer.  Behind the pink is a lot of fear and sadness.  Some days I’m feeling a little rose dust pink, other days it’s hot magenta.  Today I’m a mixture of pinks.  I’m thankful for my health and the wonderful events supporting breast cancer that I’m involved in this month.  But, I’m distressed by another life that will be taken from cancer.  These stories push me to fight for the cause even more.  I encourage you to get involved with one of the many organizations in this world that support cancer awareness, prevention, research and treatment.  It truly is life changing to give back.

Last week, I heard Giuliana and Bill Rancic speak at a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness.  Giuliana is a reporter for E! News and is on a reality show with her husband Bill who was the very first winner of Donald Trump's Apprentice.  As Giuiliana was telling her story of hurdle after hurdle in her adult life she said she asked God, “God, do you not like me?  Do you not like how I’m living my life?”  She was in the midst of so much sadness over the loss of a baby, infertility and then a breast cancer diagnosis.  Ugh, it was a punch in my stomach as I related to her story.  She then went on to share how God has used her and she can see purpose in the losses in her life.  No, she would never want to relive those losses, but she can now see in different lenses.  She has been blessed with life, a new baby and a husband who loves her (and is easy on the eyes- wink, wink)!  Thank you G&B for being so raw and humble as you travel the country to share your store.

I think, I hope, I pray that God has a lot of work left for me to do on this earth.  Use me God, please use me!  (I'm sure that is a song somewhere...)  Don't forget to support breast cancer awareness in your local community. 

 

Giuiliana & Bill

 

 

My golden friend Tara and I

New friends who invited us to sit at their front row table!

Be Well, 

A Few of My Favorite Things October 2012

 

 

 


     
 

 

      




      

A few ways to support breast cancer awareness month! 
Be Well,

 

University of MDA: Health 101

Hi Everyone,

I recently had the privilege of attending MD Anderson’s Cancer Survivorship Conference.  As always, it exceeded my expectations.   Walking into the Omni, where the conference was held, I was awestruck by the anti-cancer tools around me.  A gentleman was making fresh smoothies with whole fruits and yogurt, serving trays of berries and other fruits were abundant.  I saw hot teas galore, kashi this and kashi that- wow MDA, I was impressed!  After signing in I noticed a massage area and break out activities including yoga and salsa dancing.  Did I say yoga, yes yoga- oh and a class on the benefits of tea.  Clearly, a conference for Anticancer Amy!

So, did you know that there are over 13 million cancer survivors right now in the United States?  And by 2022 there will be an estimated 18 million survivors!  Yes, we are all touched by cancer in some way.  I learned there are 3 stages of survivorship:

Acute – include diagnosis, testing and treatment

Extended – maintenance or watchful monitoring (this is me)

Permanent – low risk patients

The discussions throughout the weekend had a common theme, “exercise, eat whole foods, maintain a healthy weight and avoid tobacco”.  The American Cancer Society states that 1/3 of all cancer deaths in the U.S. could be prevented by good diet and exercise.  Exercise was defined as 150 minutes of exercise per week.  A healthy diet defined as 5-6 servings of fruit/veggies a day and minimal processed meat and red meat.  Apparently obesity is giving tobacco a run for its money on being the number one factor in cancer!  Read more startling facts on obesity here- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120918190923.htm Fried chicken anyone??  Interesting that Mississippi possibly has the highest percentage of obesity, Colorado the lowest.  Obesity specifically is a risk factor for breast, colon, endometrium, esophageal, kidney, pancreas, and liver cancers, to name a few.  Read about prostate cancer and obesity here- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120924202530.htm 
And yet, more evidence-

Percentage of Cancers that Could Be Prevented via Diet, Activity and Weight Control*
Cancer Type	Percentage Prevented	Cases Prevented Annually
Breast, female	38%	86,210
Prostate	11%	26,591
Gallbladder	21%	2,060
Endometrial	70%	32,991
Esophageal	69%	12,047
Colorectal	45%	64,557
Pancreatic+	39%	17,128
Mouth, Pharyngeal & Laryngeal	63%	33,144
Kidney	24%	15,544
Liver	15%	4,308
Stomach	47%	10,020
Lung	36%	81,417

*Sources: AICR/WRCF, Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention 2009; Cancer Facts & Figures 2012, American Cancer Society.
+The CUP report on Pancreatic Cancer is expected to be released October 2012.

When it comes to breast cancer, early menstruation (less than 12 years of age) or later menopause (older than 55) increases your risk.  The physician speaking said that one reason is possibly due to estrogen being in your body for longer periods of time.  Researchers are still looking into it.  My question was “What about fertility treatments and the surge of hormones to regulate/ manipulate menstruation?  Is this a risk for young women?”  The physician again said they are actively looking at fertility and now include it in screening for medical history.  Hmmm……  My opinion is that fertility treatment does in fact have an effect on someone already at risk for cancer.  I see it sort of like a switch, a trigger.  The physician spoke in depth on cancer “initiators and promoters”, things like stress, smoking, family history, etc.  I see fertility treatment as one of these.  I am seeing more studies published that look at fertility and breast cancer.  If you have received or are considering fertility treatment, I urge you to question your physician on fertility and cancer.  Read more here- 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120706234743.htm 
 

I was most intrigued at the conference by a medical panel which included Ronald DePinho, M.D. (President of MDA), Holly Holmes, M.D.  (Geriatrician in the Internal Medicine Clinic) and Karen Lu, M.D. (director of MDA Clinical Cancer Genetics Program and High-Risk Ovarian Cancer Screening Clinics).  MDA is on the forefront of individualized cancer care.  Cancer is a disease of the genes and MDA’s goal is to continue to develop targeted therapy specifically for your cancer.  This involves identifying gene sequences so that drs know which genes to target/ silence.   Read more here about recent genetic analysis of breast cancer very interesting) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/health/study-finds-variations-of-breast-cancer.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120924&_r=0

As Dr. DePinho said “Cancer is like a battlefield where before, we went in and bombed all the troops.  Now we can go in and find the generals responsible for the battle and target them.”   I say “Let’s DO this!!”

The last topic that was of huge interest to me was how old Americans are getting.  Age is a factor in cancer.  Did you know there is such thing as a geriatrician?  A doctor who is board certified in treating people 65 and older.  It is estimated that in 2050, there will be 6 million Americans older than 100!  (as a side note, my grandma is 100 and Brett’s grandma is 99) The problem is that there is a shortage of geriatricians.  Right now there are fewer than 7,000 board certified geriatricians- it will only be a bigger problem in the future.   Of course, any doctor can treat an older person- I suppose.  But, geriatricians stage aging and are specialists. 

Whew, I feel like I just finished writing a college essay.

 

Be Well my Friends,

 

 

We Did It!

We did it!  Yeah!  Nos hicimos!

 

Thank you all who supported us at the 8^th annual Tour de Pink.  Brett was in Argentina at the time, so Uncle Justin stepped up and rode with us (thank God!).  The riders started at various times based on distance (100 milers went first, and so on).  Right away, Isabella pulled away from our pack.  Jacob tried to catch up and ended up riding with Justin about 10 minutes behind Bella.  Bella made friends with other riders and rode the entire time with them.  Julia and I had some difficulties early on.  Our ride went something like this:

.7m      Julia “I want to stop, my bike is too slow, this is not fun!”

            Mommy “We can’t stop now, let’s get to the pit stop, you can do it”

            Riders “on your left, on your left, love your hats”

 

 

2.3m    Julia crying “this is too hard”

  Mommy “Let’s find a constable and you can ride with him to the finish line to meet   grandma”

  Julia “stooooooooop, your embarrassing me”

  Riders “on your left, on your left, congratulations #16”

3.7m   Julia crying, starting to meltdown “I wish my bike had temperatures (gears) like Bella’s bike, I can’t do it!”

Mommy “that’s it, I’m stopping the next constable that passes by, you can wait with grandma”

Julia “no, I’m not stopping!”

Riders “on your left, on your left, what a pretty pink bike”

4m      Mommy “look there is a pump, let’s put air in your tires”

 

4m      Julia “that helped!  My bike is fast (with a huge smile)”

 

6m          Pit Stop- Juju fills up with Gatorade, muffins and fruit chews

7.4m    Julia “how much farther”

            Mommy “ we are so close, this is fun!”

            Riders “on your left, oooh what a pretty hat”

8m      Julia “how much farther, I’m tired”

            Riders “on your left, good job!”

9m      Julia “how much farther?”

            Riders “on your left”

10m    Julia “how much farther?”

            Riders “on your left, on your left”

11m    Julia “how much farther, it’s too hard”

            Riders “on your left, on your left”

12m    The music is blaring and we start to hear the cheering.  A young student runs alongside of Juju and cheers, lots of photos.  Julia is smiling ear to ear and gets her second wind.

8:47am            Bella finishes

8:57                Jacob & Justin finish

9:45ish             Mommy & Juju finish

We are done!  Aaaaaah, the joys of parenthood.  All in all, it was a blast!  Thank you Elena Walsh for letting me use your awesome bike!  Thank you Uncle Justin for riding with us!  Thank you Mom, Dad, Tina, Mia and Jessica for cheering us on!  And thank you to everyone who donated to team Waltz Warrior!  So far we have raised $4840.00.  We are $60 shy of our goal!  Donations accepted through October 16. Who’s in for next year?

   Be Well,