Sisters4Prevention Breast Cancer Stories and Survival

Judy Fitzgerald
Sisters4Prevention Breast Cancer Stories and Survival

Since my diagnosis fourteen years ago, I have been dedicated to researching lifestyle changes and supporting clinical research to achieve the prevention of breast cancer. My goal is to raise awareness of the need for research funding for the primary prevention of women's cancers and to share information to help those facing this journey. My posts are educational and include my journey with bilateral breast cancer and my year of treatment including a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I have been a breast cancer advocate since 2010 and have served on panels at the department of defense breast cancer funding review programs. My website shares all the information I have collected and verified from long term survivors and medical evidence. I am not a medical professional, simply a teacher who hopes to make a difference by sharing information. I presently serve as one of three breast cancer advocates on the pending clinical trial under the direction of Dr. Vincent Tuohy at the Cleveland clinic to prevent the recurrence of triple negative breast cancer, the most lethal form of the disease began in the Fall of in 2021.I am a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Project LEAD and have lobbied Congress for additional funds for prevention clinical trials for breast and ovarian cancers. In 2022, I was invited to be a Komen Advocate in Science. Stay tuned...

  1. Reduce Chemo and Radiation Side Effects

    11/17/2022

    Reduce Chemo and Radiation Side Effects

    Natural Ways to Reduce Chemo and Radiation Side Effects.  Reduce Chemo and Radiation Side Effects #reducechemosideeffect #helpcancersideeffects #survivechemo #survivingcancer #chemosideeffects #breastcancer # Helpful Supplements to Reduce Chemo Side Effects Ginger can help you manage nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. But it may also thin your blood, so don’t take any before surgery. Peppermint can also help with nausea. Zinc may help prevent taste changes, a side effect of radiation, chemotherapy, and some pain medicines. Astragalus might ease the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.  Glutamine could help reduce at least two side effects from treatment: peripheral neuropathy (weakness, numbness, or pain in your hands and feet) and mouth sores and soreness. Ginseng, in high doses, was found in a Mayo Clinic-led study to reduce cancer-related fatigue. Guarana, a natural stimulant found in a plant native to the Amazon basin, has also been found to help with chemotherapy-related fatigue, especially in breast cancer patients. Helpful Practices to Reduce Chemo Side Effects Massage: One study of 1,290 cancer patients found that pain, anxiety, fatigue, and nausea dropped by half among those who got massage. Hypnosis: A trained practitioner will put you into a state of deep concentration that helps you focus on things other than your symptoms. It may ease anxiety, pain, stress, and even nausea. Guided imagery: You’ll think about a thing or a place that makes you happy. It can help you relax. One study found it improved the quality of life for women with breast cancer. Acupuncture: There's no sure way to prevent peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy. A study published in the European Journal of Cancer in 2018, however, evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in preventing peripheral neuropathy in women with stages I to III breast cancer receiving weekly paclitaxel. Acupuncture was well-tolerated and showed some effectiveness in reducing the incidence of high-grade chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oral Cryotherapy: The topical application of ice (known as "cryotherapy") is thought to prevent mouth sores in people receiving fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. Oral cryotherapy involves cooling the mouth with something cold like ice, ice-cold water, popsicles, or ice cream.  #holistichealing #chemosideeffects #reducingchemosideeffectsnatuarally #naturalcures #survivingcancer #breastcancer #sccupuncture #yoga Support the show

    56 min
  2. Breast Cancer Prevention News: Special Guest:  Ann Fonfa: The Dangers of Processed Foods.

    07/27/2022

    Breast Cancer Prevention News: Special Guest: Ann Fonfa: The Dangers of Processed Foods.

    Breast Cancer Prevention News. Ann Fonfa founder of the AnnieAppleseedProject speaks on the dangers of processed foods to wellness especially for cancer patients.  "From its inception, the Annie Appleseed Project decided to Challenge the Existing treatment paradigm, to Question the existing research methods and subjects, and to Propose new directions for both ending with true Integrative Oncology. Thus the program name Cheqpt, designed to bring complementary, alternative therapies to the mainstream as soon as may be, while serving as a place where all ideas are scrutinized." - Quote from her website. The term “processed food” can cause some confusion because most foods are processed in some way.  However, chemically processed foods often only contain refined ingredients and artificial substances, with little nutritional value. They tend to have added chemical flavoring agents, colors, and sweeteners. These ultra-processed foods are sometimes called “cosmetic” foods, as compared with whole foods. Some examples of ultra-processed foods include: frozen or ready meals baked goods, including pizza, cakes, and pastries packaged breads processed cheese products breakfast cereals crackers and chips candy and ice cream instant noodles and soups reconstituted meats, such as sausages, nuggets, fish fingers, and processed ham sodas and other sweetened drinks Are processed foods bad for you? Ultra-processed foods tend to taste good and are often inexpensive.  They are addictive but have no nutritional value. However, they usually contain ingredients that could be harmful if consumed in excess, such as saturated fats, added sugar, and salt. These foods also contain less dietary fiber and fewer vitamins than whole foods. Highly processed foods can lead to weight gain, diabetes and obesity. Processed foods and beverages are among the major sources of added sugar in the diet. Sweetened beverages are a particularly significant source; people tend to consume much more sugar than they realize in soft drinks. The ingredients list on the back of processed food packaging is often full of unrecognizable substances. Some are artificial chemicals that the manufacturer has added to make the food more palatable.  Rule of thumb - if you don't know what it is - don't eat it. Ann serves on the board of directors for the National Breast Cancer Coalition and has been an active grant reviewer for journals and the Dept of Defense, for which she recruits other cancer survivors. She is well-known for moving awareness forward.  Ann spoke at events around the world and is very proud of her work.  She doesn’t take personal credit for the interest around Integrative oncology but she was the charter Advocate member of the Society for Integrative Oncology.  It’s time is NOW. Today many in oncology acknowledge the need and value for exercise, nutritional changes, handling stress and more. Ann is one amazing lady! Support the show

    1h 14m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Since my diagnosis fourteen years ago, I have been dedicated to researching lifestyle changes and supporting clinical research to achieve the prevention of breast cancer. My goal is to raise awareness of the need for research funding for the primary prevention of women's cancers and to share information to help those facing this journey. My posts are educational and include my journey with bilateral breast cancer and my year of treatment including a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I have been a breast cancer advocate since 2010 and have served on panels at the department of defense breast cancer funding review programs. My website shares all the information I have collected and verified from long term survivors and medical evidence. I am not a medical professional, simply a teacher who hopes to make a difference by sharing information. I presently serve as one of three breast cancer advocates on the pending clinical trial under the direction of Dr. Vincent Tuohy at the Cleveland clinic to prevent the recurrence of triple negative breast cancer, the most lethal form of the disease began in the Fall of in 2021.I am a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Project LEAD and have lobbied Congress for additional funds for prevention clinical trials for breast and ovarian cancers. In 2022, I was invited to be a Komen Advocate in Science. Stay tuned...

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