by Karyn Almendarez | Feb 14, 2019 | Blog, Breast Cancer Wellness, Cancer Wellness |
Why is breast cancer such shocking news?
In this article, we explore why so many women are getting breast cancer, why it is such shocking news, and what you can change NOW to prevent this disease!
We are shocked by the news that a friend or loved one has Breast Cancer. But, how paralyzed we feel when we hear WE have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer! All of us have cancer cells in our bodies, so how can we avoid this disease?
Recently a dear friend who lives in California called me just as I was leaving my pre-op appointment at the hospital for my final reconstruction surgery.
I hadn’t talked to her in way too long, and it excited me she had called. After discussing my upcoming surgery, I asked her, ” How are you doing? “
She answered, “Well, you won’t believe it…!”
I replied, “Oh, no, don’t tell me!”
“Yes,” she said, “I had a double mastectomy two weeks ago.”
Let me say that she is the epitome of health and fitness. When we lived in Texas, we went to yoga classes together. I didn’t place my mat too close to hers because I was embarrassed how stiff and unbending my body looked compared to hers!
She is one year younger than I and works out faithfully! Her beautiful appearance and elegant demeanor landed her modeling jobs after moving to California.
Furthermore, she continues to model after mastectomies and treatments. So, it saddened and shocked me to hear that she was experiencing the same breast cancer path I have traveled.
Why Are So Many Women Getting Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when the DNA of the cells is altered. According to Wikipedia, the risks are due to genetic and environmental causes.
“In 5% of breast cancer cases, there is a strong inherited familial risk.[7]”
So what causes lurk in our environment?
What changes can we make to prevent getting breast cancer? The older we get, the more our chances of being diagnosed with cancer increase. “A woman is more than 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer in her 60s than in her 20s.”
Watch this short video by Chris Wark on how to reduce the risks of breast cancer.
![Chris Beat Cancer: A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally by [Wark, Chris]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gLuI2tXjL.jpg)
I would HIGHLY recommend this book if you have been diagnosed with ANY kind of cancer, or if you know someone who has. It shares a Colon cancer survivor’s story who opted out of chemotherapy after surgery. Chris Wark shares a toxin-free diet, lifestyle, and therapy guidelines he used to help himself heal.
Genetics ONLY Plays a Small Role
If you have breast cancer in your family history, or other types of cancer such as ovarian, lung, thyroid, etc. you need to have genetic testing done.
Ask your doctor to order the test or tell you who to contact. Most insurance companies will pay for part or all.
I had the testing done AFTER finding out I had cancer. My mom had ovarian cancer, her sister had colon cancer, and my dad had thyroid and lung cancer.
The test revealed I do have a Chek2 gene inherited from my dad for breast and colon cancer. This particular gene does not skip generations.
As a result, my daughter is going to have the testing done also. If she does not have the gene, her daughters will not be at risk. So if genetics is only 5% of the cause, what other risk factors are there?
- Dietary
- Obesity
- Lack of Exercise
- Hormonal
- Stress-Related
- Environmental
Read More about the Peaks and Valleys of breast cancer! Stay tuned for more blog posts where we will explore each risk factor along with steps you can take NOW to prevent or heal breast cancer. And, yes, cancer can be healed!
DON’T wait until you have been diagnosed (like I did) to make changes in your lifestyle that can help you avoid cancer.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I will always share sources and experiences. If you are diagnosed with Breast Cancer or know someone who has, it is up to you to do your own research and to choose your treatment plan.
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by Karyn Almendarez | Aug 14, 2018 | Blog, Breast Cancer Wellness, Cancer Wellness |
Breast Cancer: Now What? Women of all ages fear the dreaded words, “I think you need a biopsy for breast cancer.”
I am not the poster child for annual mammograms. Before November of 2017, my last one was about ten or more years ago. (I don’t even remember when it was!)
When my doctor found a lump in my left breast during a routine pre-Medicare physical, we both agreed I needed one.
THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS OF BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer is different for each woman who is diagnosed. I can only speak for myself in saying that there are initially many more valleys than peaks.
[bctt tweet=”For those of us who are breast cancer survivors, there are so many challenges (VALLEYS) we go through…mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.” username=”karynalmendarez”]
MENTAL VALLEYS
We may ask:
-
-
- Why me?
- What is breast cancer?
- How did I get cancer?
- Am I going to die?
- What happens next?
After the biopsies (which are NO picnic) and diagnosis, we ask:
- Do I need to be in a hurry?
- What treatments are available?
- Do I have choices?
- Which treatments are right for me?
- How do I prepare for surgery?
- What treatments are right for me post-surgery?
- What will recovery involve and for how long?
- How can I keep it from recurring?
The lingo the physicians throw at us requires another college degree to understand what they are talking about! This adds to our mental stress.
EMOTIONAL VALLEYS
Then the questions arise:
- How will this affect my relationship with those I love?
- What lifestyle changes will be necessary?
- How do I keep a positive attitude?
- Won’t the stress play havoc with my emotions and affect my healing?
PHYSICAL VALLEYS
- How much pain will I be in and for how long?
- Will the treatments make me sick?
- Will I lose my hair?
- Do I want reconstruction?
SPIRITUAL VALLEYS
Spiritual valleys creep in even if we have a deep-rooted faith.
- Am I being punished?
- Did God “zap” me with this disease?
- I am scared. Can God help me?
- Will God heal me?
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PEAKS IN THE BREAST CANCER JOURNEY
Fortunately, there are also PEAKS in this journey! There are many more I will be writing about in upcoming posts…
I wrote this journal entry after having multiple biopsies, ultrasounds, and MRI. Then came the needle biopsy, which was not as painful as the mammograms had been. After I got the call from the surgeon that I had cancer, I wrote this journal entry…
“This morning when I awoke, I was thinking about peaks and valleys. Since I am working on a logo with mountains and sun (hope) behind it for my website, I want to write about the peaks and valleys of surviving breast cancer. I am going to begin blogging about the steps you go through…emotions, decisions to make, physical pain challenges, spiritual challenges, family challenges, etc.
Then I read the Our Daily Bread devotional about The Great Physician (to read the article, click on the link at the end of this post).
I was reminded that striving for spiritual well-being could be much more crucial than physical healing because physical pain is temporary and spiritual healing is eternal.
The prayer in that day’s devotional really rang home.
“Father in heaven, it’s so hard to see beyond our pain. Please let us sense Your mercy in this moment.Lift our eyes beyond ourselves. Let us find a new vision and source of health in the care of Christ, who heals.” –OurDailyBread
My journey has included double mastectomies, decisions about treatments, love and support from family and friends, and radical changes in diet and lifestyle. As of August 2018, I am cancer FREE!
In this blog series, I will share honestly and openly what I have experienced, what I have learned, and specific changes you can make in your lifestyle to prevent or heal cancer. Yes, cancer can be cured…
Watch this documentary: https://cancercanbekilled.com/
Go to ChrisBeatCancer: https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/
My intentions are not to convince you what to do, only to give you information and inspiration to make choices, live every day striving to deepen your faith, and find complete healing and wellness.
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Please reply below with questions you have about breast cancer.
Credits and Disclaimer
Our Daily Bread
Video: Beyond the Shock
Photos: Pixabay, Canva
These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
by Karyn Almendarez | Jun 3, 2018 | Blog, Cancer Wellness, Faith and Inspiration |
Today is Cancer Survivors Day!
June 3rd is National Cancer Survivors Day. It was created to honor all who have fought the cancer dragon and WON, and to give hope to those currently fighting this disease.
There are around 14.5 million people in the U.S. who have beat cancer or are currently fighting the battle. Every year 450 men and women out of 100,000 are diagnosed with some form of cancer, and 171 die from it (per 100k).
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. One out of eight women in the U.S. could develop invasive breast cancer.
If you haven’t been personally affected by cancer, I bet you know friends or family members who have been.
My Experience With Cancer
😥 I am ashamed to admit it, but before I heard, “You need a biopsy. This could be breast cancer”…
🙂 I had compassion for so many I have known (friends and relatives).
😕 I offered to pray for them, but after a few days, I forgot to lift them up.
🙂 Perhaps I would visit them, listen, and pray with them.
But…
😥 I did NOT take them meals after surgery or when they were ill from treatments.
😥 I did NOT send cards or notes to let them know I cared.
Now that I have had breast cancer and mastectomies, I KNOW exactly how to comfort those who get this life-changing diagnosis!
I wrote this poem to express my feelings after I heard the scary and life-changing words, “You have breast cancer…”
It is dedicated to my friends (Lisa McDaniel) and relatives (my dad and aunt) who have died from cancer and my survivor friends (I won’t list them…I might leave out someone’s name).
Hearing the News
Hearing the news
Changed attitudes
Calls not made
Prayers not prayed
Cards not sent
Time not spent
Letting you know
You won’t fly solo
Through your disease
And its horrors, Oh please
Forgive me, I pray
For looking away!
To not let you know
I love you so!
–Karyn Almendarez, January 2018
How Do We Celebrate and Honor Cancer Warriors?
- Remember those who have fought and lost and what they mean to you
- Call a cancer warrior/survivor today and tell them you care
- Send an encouragement card
- Start a written or digital prayer list and pray for one person each day
- Take dinner to a cancer victim
**Here is an excellent resource for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer!
http://openyourtreasures.com/7bby
As always, the best resource is God’s Word!
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 New International Version (NIV)
PLEASE share this post with anyone you know who has cancer or is a cancer survivor!
Until next time… Blessings and Health!
