There probably isn’t a cyclist on the planet that will not be touched by breast cancer. I suspect that the majority of my readers are men, but statistics show that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime and 1 out of 3 American men will know a woman with breast cancer.
I’m not liking those odds, so I’m taking this post to push my own agenda, as well as that of a manufacturer that I hold in the highest regard. Before this month is over, I want to urge everyone out there, male or female, cyclist or not, to do at least one of the following:
Take yourself, or someone you love, to get a mammogram.
Start an exercise program for yourself or someone you love, if either of you are not already exercising regularly.
Try to eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Even if that seems an unrealistic goal for some, it’s a goal worth aiming for.
Make a donation in a loved one’s name to the American Cancer Society, or another charity of your own choosing.
Now, on that note, I’m not suggesting we all run out and buy some goodies from Chris King. But if you’re in position to support their Pretty and Strong program, please do. If nothing else, please go to the site, and read what they have to say about getting a conversation started. I have no personal interest in the company, but after my interview with Chris DeStefano (head of marketing at Chris King Cycle Group) earlier this year, I realize we have many things besides bicycles in common, and that this program comes from a sincere desire to make a difference.
Whatever you do, do something.
Great post. It’s good to remember that we don’t have to just sit back and hope that we’re not part of the cancer statistics but that we can actually do something for ourselves and those we love.
October should also be called Iodine Supplement Awareness Month, since Iodine is the key to breast cancer prevention.
A good friend of ours just went through an ordeal with breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer has increased to 1 in 8 women, with 4,000 new cases weekly.
You might ask, could there be a preventive measure which is safe, cheap and widely available that has been overlooked?
The answer is YES , and it’s the essential mineral, Iodine, which was added to table salt in 1924 as part of a national program to prevent Goiter. It turns out that this same Iodine in table salt is the key to breast cancer prevention as proposed by the following list of prestigious doctors:
Guy Abraham, MD, Robert Derry MD PHD, David Brownstein MD, George Flechas MD, Donald Miller, M.D.
Dr. B.A. Eskin published 80 papers over 30 years researching iodine and breast cancer, and he reports that iodine deficiency causes breast cancer and thyroid cancer in humans and animals. Iodine deficiency is also known to cause a pre-cancerous condition called fibrocystic breast disease.
W.R. Ghent published a paper in 1993 which showed iodine supplementation works quite well to reverse and resolve fibrocystic changes of the breast, and this is again the subject of a current clinical study.(Can J Surg. 1993 Oct;36(5):453-60.)
Despite its obvious potential, not much has been done with Iodine treatment over the past 40 years in the United States. Since iodine isn’t patentable and is therefore unlikely to be profitable to market, there is no money to fund studies for “FDA approval”. However, FDA approval is not required since Iodine is already an additive to table salt at the supermarket.
For more information see my newsletter
http://jeffreydach.com/2007/05/05/jeffreydachdrdachiodine.aspx
Jeffrey Dach MD
http://drdach.com/
OK we’ve done all the good stuff: eat right (lotsa fruit/veggies); got checkups (mammogram/prostate) and have exercised faithfully (210,000+ miles on tandems) and are not overweight. He: 135 lbs; she: 108 lbs.
Kay got breast cancer 5 years ago; Rudy prostate cancer 2 years ago.
Both of us declined on chemo and external radiation.
Kay got mastectomy, Rudy got brachytherapy.
Both doing fine and still pedaling 100 miles a week.
Agree: get checked up; lots of folks doing lots of good things to make us more aware including Chris King (love the headset and hubs!).
Be aware and take care!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem