June is the month to Celebrate LIFE

June is the month to celebrate and honor all cancer survivors.

As I started writing this blog, an interesting word connection came to mind. I was thinking: Why June? What about June that made it cancer survivorship month? The word [June] pronounce just like the month, in my native language: Farsi is a slang for LIFE! I know that is not really the reason but I like the connection.

First, some facts:

A Cancer Survivor is anyone with a history of cancer, from the time of diagnosis through various stages of it. American Cancer Society divides survivorship into a range of stages and experiences:

• Living cancer-free after treatment for life

• Living cancer-free after treatment for many years but experiencing one or more complications Living cancer-free after treatment for many years, but dying after a late recurrence

• Living cancer-free after the first cancer is treated, but developing a second cancer

• Living with intermittent periods of active disease

• Living with cancer continuously, without a disease-free period

Now some True vs False questions to test your cancer knowledge

True OR False?

There are more women cancer survivors than men cancer survivors in the United States today.

That is True. It is not really clear why but one thought is that women are better at taking care of their health, especially after being diagnosed with cancer. So gentlemen, put your competitive hats on, this is where you really don’t want to fall behind the ladies. Take charge of your health.

True OR False?

Having cancer is a death sentence.

That is False. Although the incidence and prevalence of many cancers seems to have increased, because of advances in research and medicine, many cancers are extremely manageable for a very long time. In fact, the majority of childhood cancers that used to be very fatal, are almost completely treatable and manageable through adulthood and well into mature age.

True OR False?

Lifestyle has NO effect on cancer survivorship.

ABSOLUTELY False. Lifestyle not only predicts cancer risk, but also affects prognosis and outcome. A healthy lifestyle (Healthy nutrition, active lifestyle, sufficient sleep, reduced stress, strong relationships with friends, family, and the community), will absolutely and positively affects survivorship NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

So even if the thought of your cancer winning regardless of how well you take care of your health crosses your mind, THINK AGAIN. Over 75% of all cancers are preventable by lifestyle modifications. More importantly, in most cases, cancer recurrence and/or metastasis is preventable OR delayed with adoption of healthier lifestyle.

If you ever think you have NO control, think again because YOU DO.

Contact me to learn more about how to live a healthy, happy, and LONG life years after diagnosis. As I have always said: Reclaim Your Health with Food, and Your Health is in Your Hands.

All survivors, to your health and happiness, cancer free for life.

Are YOU at risk for bladder cancer?

Bladder Cancer Quick Facts:

Risk factors:

I- Tobacco, alcohol consumption

II- Certain Chemicals: Arsenic, chemicals used in the textile, rubber, leather, dye, paint, and print industries, and chemicals called aromatic amines

III- Some medications (pioglitazone used in treatment of Diabetes)

IV- Family history.genetics, history of HNPCC (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer)

MYTHS VS FACTS

Myth OR Fact?

Frequent urination can increase your risk of bladder cancer

Myth: Urination frequency is related to the size of your bladder. It is not a bladder cancer risk factor.

Myth OR Fact?

Hair dyes can cause bladder cancer.

Fact: Chemicals used to darken hair used to contain a tar like compound that was shown to be linked to increased risk of bladder cancer in women. Even though modern hair dyes are made without the tar compounds and the toxicity is much less, I personally do not trust that they are completely harmless.

Myth OR Fact?

Tobacco increases your risk of bladder cancer

Fact: It is no secret that tobacco causes CANCER period. But it is certainly a big risk factor for bladder cancer.

Myth OR Fact?

Contaminated drinking water increases your risk for bladder cancer.

Fact: This should be pretty obvious but I stress this, clean water is crucial to your health in general but more importantly to your bladder health.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BLADDER CANCER:

DO:

• Eat a healthy diet, with lots of fresh vegetables and fruits

• Hydrate well with clean filtered water

• Test your water for arsenic, radon, and other chemicals.

• LOVE you natural h

air, it is how you were supposed to look naturally so why change it. If you REALLY want to cover grays, use natural Henna.

DO NOT:

• Smoke

• Drink excessively

• Unprotected exposure to chemicals (see list above)

• Dye your hair, you are perfect just the way you are. Grays are a BEAUTIFUL sign of wisdom.

Brain Cancer: Are YOU at risk?

Brain Cancer Quick Facts:

Risk factors:

I- Exposure to certain chemicals and environmental agents.

II- Certain foods, alcohol, tobacco consumption.

III- Radiation

Myth OR Fact?

Benign brain tumors are not serious.

Myth: Brain tumors are all serious and would need attention.

Myth OR Fact?

Repeated head injuries in athletes cause brain tumors.

Myth: Although I am not a fan of contact sports where the athletes are much more at risk of head injuries, these injuries may cause cognitive and functional issues in the long run but there is no evidence that they cause cancer.

Myth OR Fact?

If your mom or dad had brain tumor, you are highly likely to develop brain tumor.

Myth: Brain tumors are rarely genetic or run in families.

Myth OR Fact?

Brain tumors are most common type of tumors in children ages 1-14 years old.

Fact: Sadly brain tumors are most common in children and kill more children than leukemia does.

Myth OR Fact?

People in certain professions are at higher risk of developing brain tumors.

Fact: Some professions put you at higher risk for brain cancer. Examples are people who work with certain chemicals like Benzene.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BRAIN CANCER

DO:

• Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruits to provide you with Antioxidants.

• Get regular exercise to promote good circulation to your brain and the rest of your body.

• Get fresh air regularly

• Eat healthy fats

AVOID:

• Exposing yourself to harmful chemicals to the brain: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Methanol, Jet fuel and other similar toxic chemicals.

• Repeated exposure to rubber and materials made from rubber.

• Most chemical preservatives.

• Smoking

• LIMIT or eliminate ALL grains; gluten and non-gluten.