The mounting evidence linking synthetic chemicals to the rising rates of breast cancer is empowering women to make healthy choices in their everyday lives. These choices are preventative.
What can be done to prevent breast cancer and minimize risk?
•Choose 100% pure, synthetic chemical free cosmetics. Individuals can make healthy choices regarding the personal products they use daily. Many of these, including lotions, cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners, contain chemicals that have been linked to breast cancer. According to industry estimates, on any given day, a woman may use as many as 25 different cosmetic and personal care products containing more than 200 different chemical compounds. Avoid rubbing these toxic cocktails into your skin by choosing healthy, organic and natural products.
•Be a more informed consumer. Ask critical questions about “pink ribbon promotions” before you purchase a product. The cosmetic industry has been criticized for raising money for breast cancer research by promoting products that may actually contribute to the rising tide of breast cancer. See www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org for ways to demand safer products from cosmetic companies.
•Include high dietary intake of carotenes: dark leafy greens and green and yellow produce.
•Eat foods rich in Vitamin E and Selenium: sunflower seeds, freshly ground wheat, olive oil, flax oil, garlic, onions, and mushrooms.
•Reduce consumption of animal foods that contain hormones, such as milk, chicken, beef, and pork.
•Increase consumption of organically grown foods.
•Create sufficient consumption of Vitamin D: sunlight, 10 minutes daily; sardines and tuna.
•Discover what really moves you and keep moving: gardening, yoga, dance, walking, etc.
•Reduce or eliminate the use of plastic containers for food storage.
•Avoid unnecessary radiation; radiation is cumulative over a lifetime.
•Avoid using pesticides (weed killers, insecticides, etc) in your yard or home.
Join community action groups that support organizations that are investing in research that focus on cause and prevention. Support the “race for the cause”.
So when you see those pink ribbons emerge this month, consider that they proclaim “Prevention is the Cure”. Laura Weinberg, co-president of The Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition says it best, “The old pink ribbon is hope for the future. This pink ribbon is saying there is something we can do today.” |
