Why Are So Many Women Getting Breast Cancer??...I'm CONSUMED with fear

[Arielle22]

My mom died of BC 16 years ago and I also have 4 sisters. We were told because she developed it after her 60th birthday that it probably wasn't the type to be passed down via genetics.

Since I also have dense breast tissue I go for a breast MRI along with mamograms.

OP, I think you have let your fears run amok and need to speak with a counselor. Even when my mom was dying, my fears did not consume me as yours do.

Tiana, you go on at length about how bad today's society lives but you don't talk about how bad society used to be. Do you really believe that unsanitary meat was not eaten in the early 20th century or that people ate fat and other things which are bad for you? Do you think people trying to survive worried about the long term effects of their diet? So if their diet was bad as well, then why wasn't cancer so prevalent then?

I don't understand why people think if something is labelled "all natural" it automatically makes it good and chemicals are all bad. Chemo is a lot of things that can kill you if taken in the wrong doses but taken correctly and it can save you.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

You can't be quoted if you deleted it.

While I am sorry for what you have experienced, you posted it and it was quoted fair and square.

Counterpoints are very effective if we are brave enough to post them in the first place. Your post was very informative and I'm glad it was quoted so that I had the opportunity to read it.

I don't know how it happened. I deleted my post at 12:14 and it was quoted at 12:20 so it can be done. I regretted posting it immediatly which is why I deleted it right away but yes, I did post it initially so maybe it is "fair and square" that somebody could quote it. My counterpoint was not very nice, just negative and I didn't think would help or serve a purpose. I will be much more careful about hitting submit from now on and actually much more careful about posting here on the disboards from now on. Thank you for reminding me about that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know how it happened. I deleted my post at 12:14 and it was quoted at 12:20 so it can be done. I regretted posting it immediatly which is why I deleted it right away but yes, I did post it initially so maybe it is "fair and square" that somebody could quote it. My counterpoint was not very nice, just negative and I didn't think would help or serve a purpose. I will be much more careful about hitting submit from now on and actually much more careful about posting here on the disboards from now on. Thank you for reminding me about that.

I'm quoting you now--it might take me a minute or two or three to responde to your post.


And then when I hit post--that is when it gets the time stamp.

I don't see anything bad about your post.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Okay - that's how it happens. Now at least I understand it.

Well - thanks for the kind words. I didn't like it though, but I'm glad that maybe others didn't see it in the same way that I did.

I just want to help others here and the OP is the one that needs words of encouragement. She needs to know that life is not to be feared and cancer doesn't have to be scary. All I was trying to say at the beginning was that even for those of us who have it - we can be happy and can enjoy our life. I'm very tired from the treatments yet I still dance around the house as I'm doing the limited cleaning that I can do and I rejoice when I see the signs of spring and smell the fresh air. Life is too precious to live in fear.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Did anyone read that long post? I didn't.Don't sweat it KJ, I loved your post.

 

[Pakey]

I wasn't going to post because I'm not sure I can be of benefit to the OP.

I'm a breast cancer survivor who is now starting through it a second time.

I'm not overweight, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I've been in a loving 25 year marriage (not a lot of sex partners to argue the previously posted ridiculous theory). In fact, other than for the birth of my son, I'd never been in a hospital. So 4 years ago I got breast cancer, did the surgeries, chemo, radiation, yada yada yada. I've been faithfully taking my pills, following a diet and exercise regime. Still, I'm waiting on the test results to confirm the oncologist's suspicion that it has moved to my lung. So that means another surgery, chemo, radiation, etc.

And in the end, no amount of worrying is going to change the outcome. Life is a celebration. You can choose to spend it worrying about about a future that you cannot control or you can spend it living. I find out next Wednesday whether or not I will have to have part of my lung removed and go onto long term chemo but I'm still going to China and Tibet in a few weeks and I'm going forward with plans to spend our 25th anniversary in Egypt with my darling husband. If I were to find out I only had xxx amount of time left, I want to spend it having the best time I possibly can.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I wasn't going to post because I'm not sure I can be of benefit to the OP.

I'm a breast cancer survivor who is now starting through it a second time.

I'm not overweight, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I've been in a loving 25 year marriage (not a lot of sex partners to argue the previously posted ridiculous theory). In fact, other than for the birth of my son, I'd never been in a hospital. So 4 years ago I got breast cancer, did the surgeries, chemo, radiation, yada yada yada. I've been faithfully taking my pills, following a diet and exercise regime. Still, I'm waiting on the test results to confirm the oncologist's suspicion that it has moved to my lung. So that means another surgery, chemo, radiation, etc.

And in the end, no amount of worrying is going to change the outcome. Life is a celebration. You can choose to spend it worrying about about a future that you cannot control or you can spend it living. I find out next Wednesday whether or not I will have to have part of my lung removed and go onto long term chemo but I'm still going to China and Tibet in a few weeks and I'm going forward with plans to spend our 25th anniversary in Egypt with my darling husband. If I were to find out I only had xxx amount of time left, I want to spend it having the best time I possibly can.

Sometimes it just isn't worth it to be afraid.

Hopefully the OP can find some help to find peace so that they don't have to be sick with worry. While I don't have that anxiety, I can understand how anxiety can cripple and for that I do empathize with her fear and I found therapy/counseling to be priceless in overcoming my irrational fears. .

 

[ead79]

Anyway, I can't eat, sleep, or basically enjoy life until I get my mammogram results in. The fear is consuming me.

How can I manage my fears? I need help managing my fears.

I just wanted to give you a and respond to this part of your post. From your user name, I believe that we share the same faith. I used to beat myself up and feel down in the dumps that I wasn't being a faithful believer since I had a debilitating, irrational fear. Finally, after years of my phobia getting worse (and controlling my life too much), I started getting therapy last year. I can't tell you what a difference it has made in my life. Now that I'm able to cope so much better with the irrational part of my fear, I'm able to focus more on trusting the Lord when I do feel scared. If your fear really is controlling your life, then please consider seeing a counselor. I can't tell you what a wonderful difference it has made in my life.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

SO many reasons that Breast Cancer, ALL cancers, really, are rising. It is not just b/c we hear about it more, the numbers are on the rise. It has everything to do with our lifestyles. Cancer rates among non-developed/ing countries are always the lowest and then begin to rise the more "westernized" their society becomes.

Our diets are absolutely horrible. The processed food is horrible, the fast food is disgusting. We eat sick cows and pigs that need antibiotics just to make it to slaughter. We eat sick chickens that are so deformed they can't even walk. The turkeys are sick and so deformed they aren't even able to procreate! The vegetables aren't even that healthy anymore! They are picked before fully ripe in order to be shipped and stored, so they never develop all the vitamins/nutrients that they should. On top of that, they are usually covered in Pesticides. Corn and soybeans (and wheat!) are genetically modified in order to be doused with Round-up and still survive. Farmers are given subsidies to mass produce these crops, which are then put in EVERYTHING. Soy can now be found in EVERYTHING and women drink soy milk by the gallons b/c it's healthy, BUT there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing"; Soy produces phytoestrogens and surplus estrogen causes tumors to grow. (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=soybean-fertility-hormone-isoflavones-genistein) They drink diet sodas b/c they think they are healthy , but are loaded with toxic sweeteners. They drink vitamin water, thinking it's healthy, but it's loaded with sugar. We are more obese than ever and obesity is a huge risk factor for breast and other cancers. (http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/)

Many women spend their child bearing years focused on their careers, taking birth control, having multiple sex partners and contracting HPV and other STD's, all of which (exept the BC) put you at higher risk for reproductive cancers. And you can say I'm generalizing all you want, but more than 1 in 4 women have HPV. (http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20070227/hpv-infection-common-us-women) Just b/c your neighbor doesn't mention it, or look like "that type" of person doesn't mean they don't have it. Then, they hit their 30's and 40's and want to be able to bear children like they are 20 so they go through IVF and other fertility treatments... and I'm not criticizing those who do that, but it is a huge risk factor. The truth isn't always nice or easy to hear, sorry to offend, seriously.

People want to do whatever they want to do, and eat whatever they want, and live however they want; but they don't want to pay the piper when the bill comes in.

On top of that, people have become brainwashed to automatically label anyone who tries to warn them about their unhealthy lifestyle choices as a conspiracist, or elitist, or judgmental. So, they automatically dismiss anyone who brings up the fact that they are making bad choices (however, good they may feel) and they keep on doing what they are doing; just like I'm sure most of you will dismiss what I have said. But, facts are facts and if a person can't look around and see that the "I'll do whatever I want b/c I'm a modern woman and entitled to have my processed cake and diet soda too" is a cause of all this illness and death; then nothing anyone says will change their minds.

That said, I still have all the sympathy in the world for those dealing with cancer. It's not like anyone chooses to get cancer. Most people don't realize what they are doing to their bodies until it's too late, I know that is the case in my situation. I always thought I was eating healthy but ended up with PCOS, metabolic syndrome, and pre & gestational diabetes. It has taken the past several years learning about nutrition and food in order to get myself on a healthy track and I'm still scared that the damage may have already been done. I have learned a LOT about lifestyles and food and illness, it's ALL connected. Sometimes you can be incredibly pro-active and do all the right things, but still end up with it. There are SO many women who sleep with one man their whole life, but end up with HPV or AIDS or an STD b/c their filthy husband cheated. My mom is a nurse and saw a lot of this.

I highly suggest reading books like;

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemna by M. Pollan
The Sugar Solution by the Editors of Prevention Magazine
Prevention Magazine
Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith
Food, Inc.
There are SO many others! Those will get you started though.

Also, find a holistic nutritionist in your area. They can help you choose wholesome foods to keep you healthy and if you are afraid of Breast Cancer, they can tell you what to stay away from to help prevent it.

Also, I see that you are a Christian, so there is always just lifting your worries up to God And, with the whole diet/lifestyle thing, I just try to go by this rule: Eat things that are as close to the way that God made them and you should be good.

ETA: OP I missed that part about your mom having some issues. I want you to know, I wasn't placing any blame on her or anything, it kinda sounds that way... I was just trying to answer your question as to why it is so prevalent and offering suggestions to help ease your fears by being pro-active

Sorry, but your theory is not supported by facts. Here's what The American Cancer Society has to say about breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Statistics
The following is adapted from information available from the American Cancer Society (ACS).

•Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among U.S. women, accounting for more than 1 in 4 cancers.

•Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

•One out of eight American women who live to be 85 years of age will develop breast cancer, a risk that was one out of 14 in 1960.

•2.4 million women living in the U.S. have been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.

•An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in American women during 2009. About 1,910 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men. In addition, an estimated 62,280 cases of in situ breast cancer (both DCIS and LCIS) are expected, with 85 percent being DCIS.

•An estimated 40,610 breast cancer deaths are anticipated this year (40,170 women, 440 men).

•The greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer is gender (female) and the second is age. Between 2000-2004, 95 percent of new cases and 97 percent of breast cancer deaths occurred in women aged 40 and older.

•The risk of developing breast cancer increases for women whose parent, sibling or child have had the disease.

•Patients with private insurance from all racial/ethnic groups are more likely to be diagnosed with stage I breast cancer and less likely to be diagnosed with stage III and IV than those who were uninsured or who had Medicaid insurance. While 89 percent of patients with private insurance survived five years, only 77 percent of uninsured and 75 percent of Medicaid patients passed the five year mark.

•It has been estimated that 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancer cases result from inherited mutations or alterations in BRCA1 and BRCA2.

•Women who begin menstruating before age 12 are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The more menstrual cycles a woman has during her lifetime, the more her risk increases.

•Other risk factors include inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, a personal or family history of breast cancer, high breast tissue density, high-dose radiation to the chest wall, long menstrual history, never having given birth or giving birth for the first time after age 30, and biopsy-confirmed atypical hyperplasia.

•The ACS states that after continuously increasing for more than two decades, female breast cancer incidence rates decreased by 2.2 percent per year from 1999-2005. One possible reason for the change is that millions of women stopped taking menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Another possible reason is mammography rates decreased slightly from 70.1 percent in 2000 to 66.4 percent in 2005.

Information from Cancer Facts & Figures 2009, American Cancer Society and Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2007-2008, American Cancer Society.

Then, they hit their 30's and 40's and want to be able to bear children like they are 20 so they go through IVF and other fertility treatments... and I'm not criticizing those who do that, but it is a huge risk factor.

Factual data, please.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Devotedchristian, your fears are understandable. You lost your mother to the disease. I'm so sorry. It would probably be beneficial speaking to someone professionally. Arming yourself with information would probably help sooth your fears in one way (because you'd see how remote the possibilty is that you'd die from the disease as well), but reading all that stuff is really terrifying, so it's probably not the best idea. If you think it would be helpful, talk to your primary care doctor about how you're feeling, too. He or she might be able to allay some of your fears with factual data. Good luck on your testing.

Second, Pakey, a for you, too. If it's ok, I'm keeping you in my prayers.

And third, KJ, a big for you, Sista.

 

[Planogirl]

Okay - that's how it happens. Now at least I understand it.

Well - thanks for the kind words. I didn't like it though, but I'm glad that maybe others didn't see it in the same way that I did.

I just want to help others here and the OP is the one that needs words of encouragement. She needs to know that life is not to be feared and cancer doesn't have to be scary. All I was trying to say at the beginning was that even for those of us who have it - we can be happy and can enjoy our life. I'm very tired from the treatments yet I still dance around the house as I'm doing the limited cleaning that I can do and I rejoice when I see the signs of spring and smell the fresh air. Life is too precious to live in fear.

Your post was excellent IMO. You responded to a negative post and did so in a good way.

 

[Planogirl]

I wasn't going to post because I'm not sure I can be of benefit to the OP.

I'm a breast cancer survivor who is now starting through it a second time.

I'm not overweight, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I've been in a loving 25 year marriage (not a lot of sex partners to argue the previously posted ridiculous theory). In fact, other than for the birth of my son, I'd never been in a hospital. So 4 years ago I got breast cancer, did the surgeries, chemo, radiation, yada yada yada. I've been faithfully taking my pills, following a diet and exercise regime. Still, I'm waiting on the test results to confirm the oncologist's suspicion that it has moved to my lung. So that means another surgery, chemo, radiation, etc.

And in the end, no amount of worrying is going to change the outcome. Life is a celebration. You can choose to spend it worrying about about a future that you cannot control or you can spend it living. I find out next Wednesday whether or not I will have to have part of my lung removed and go onto long term chemo but I'm still going to China and Tibet in a few weeks and I'm going forward with plans to spend our 25th anniversary in Egypt with my darling husband. If I were to find out I only had xxx amount of time left, I want to spend it having the best time I possibly can.

Your attitude is amazing. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope that you have a wonderful trip.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I'm no dr. nor do I play one on tv, but OP, it sounds like you might be suffering from General Anxiety Disorder. I think this, because you sound a lot like me and I suffer from it. I think your anxiety is manifesting itself as an irrational fear of developing breast cancer. Since your mother died from it (I'm so sorry) it is rational to have concerns. Anxiety takes our fears and concerns and blows them up to the point where it affects just about every facet of your life. Take a look at the website and see if you think this describes you.

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx24.htm

It's not a fun thing to have, but it can be treated. You may want to write down any symptoms on that page that you feel apply to you and take it to your doctor. You don't have to live this way. Now don't think you will never think about breast cancer again, but your concerns will diminish a great deal. You will probably feel like any other woman who has lost a relative to breast cancer. It will be on your mind to make sure you get checked AND check yourself regularly. But it will no longer consume you. Believe me, I know how that is and it's horrible. Get some help...it's out there.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Devotedchristian, I just wanted to share that my wife, Marie, is here today, doing fine, more than 12 years after her breast cancer diagnosis, one which was at quite a serious level on the scale of seriousness. She did the protocols that the doctors suggested back then, and probably just as importantly, or maybe more so, was, and is her positive attitude on getting and remaining well. Giving you a of comfort in your concerns.

And Pakey, KJ, and Pea, continued 's to you all, and all who share.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Pakey - thank you for posting. Your information can go a long way in encourging others that there is light during this journing that many of us face.

Thank you to all who have given us here. It is much appreciated.

Pea - keep on fighting the good fight.

Dan - I'm so happy to hear that your wife is here with you. I wish you both many, many more happy years together. My DH has been a tremendous support through all of this and I can't tell you how much that means to me. I can't imange how hard this is on the husband, probably harder on him than it is on us. So to you as well.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Devotedchristian, I just wanted to share that my wife, Marie, is here today, doing fine, more than 12 years after her breast cancer diagnosis, one which was at quite a serious level on the scale of seriousness. She did the protocols that the doctors suggested back then, and probably just as importantly, or maybe more so, was, and is her positive attitude on getting and remaining well. Giving you a of comfort in your concerns.

And Pakey, KJ, and Pea, continued 's to you all, and all who share.

Marie was one of my earliest inspirations when I joined here (planning my post chemo trip). Dan isn't kidding when he says her case was serious. I am so glad she's still doing well, and it's nice to see you too, Dan. Thanks for posting.

 

[goofy4tink]

It seems like every time I look another woman has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

My mother died from Breast Cancer 2 years ago. I now remember her saying she honestly believed it came from years of her on HRT.

That's how she thinks she got it. She and her father are the only ones to do from cancer. But my grandfather was an alcoholic for years and developed cancer.

My mom has 4 surviving sisters (Ages 45 and up) and none have had breast cancer. I know that does not mean anything though. My mom was the next to the youngest.

Anyway, I had my first mammogram last year and everything was fine. Now, I am due for my annual mammogram on April 28th and I am TERRIFIED.

I'm terrified because since last year, all I've heard is so many wowen (including celebrities) have been diagnosed with breast cancer or "Amy Mickelson who is battling breast cancer could not be there today with her husband because of her battle...."

Farah Fawcett, Christina Applegate...it is so many!

Anyway, I can't eat, sleep, or basically enjoy life until I get my mammogram results in. The fear is consuming me.


Why so many women?

How can I manage my fears? I need help managing my fears.

It does indeed seem like every other person we meet either is dealing with breast cancer or knows someone who is. I feel your pain and anxiety. But, please...try to relax. Do all that you can do to prevent this awful disease. A healthy diet, exercise and scheduled checkups are what you need to focus on.
In my family, every woman (every single one of them) on my mother's side of the family has had breast cancer. Not one had died of it. This is a case of a daughter being born to a mother who's mother had bc. In my family, my maternal grandmother had breast cancer when she was about 73. Turns out that her sister also was diagnosed with it when she was in her early 70's. I'm not absolutely sure about the other sister. Then, when my mother was 70, she was diagnosed with breast cancer...this was a woman who never went to the doctor. Actually, it was a miracle it was found and caught in time. About a month after she was diagnosed and as she was being treated, she got a call from her cousin. Seems her cousin, a year younger than she, had just been diagnosed with breast cancer! My mother passed away 3 years later, but not of anything due to bc.
Now...I pretty much know that it is in there, incubating, inside me. But...I'm lucky. I may be the one to break the chain. I started going through 'the change' when I was pregnant with my now 16 y/o dd. Yep..that made me a pretty nasty person to live with. We found that out when dd was a year old. I was 44 at the time. I went on hormones to alleviate some symptoms. BUT....about 5 years later, when I found that my mother had bc, I came off the hormones. Breast cancer pretty much feeds off estrogen. I was lucky in that I had much less time than most women with estrogen running through my system. Maybe that will get me a pass...don't know.

All I can say is that you don't 'get' breast cancer. Your cells have mutated. You may have a family history of it and be predisposed to it. Or, you may have no family history at all....and still fall prey to it.

About the only thing we can do is to eat better, get more exercise, and get mammograms when needed. The vast majority of breast cancers are treatable...if caught early. It amazes me to find exactly how many survivors are out there.

Please...OP...try to stop worrying. Get those mammo's done on a timely basis. Watch your lifestyle. If there are things you can do to make healthy choices then do them. But to sit and worry and stress about it is not healthy and you are doing yourself more harm than good!!! Mental outlook and attitude have a lot to do with the body's ability to stay healthy and/or to heal.

 

[MinnieTink]

To all the positive posters Thank you. It was just 48 hours ago that my mom got a bad report on her mammo/us. She has not had a biopsy or further testing yet but I have been freaking out and it is extremely helpful to see stories of survival.

OP. Girl I know anxiety too. I just want to give you a hug. I keep saying to myself if God brings you to it, He will bring you thru it, and all that jazz....yet I am still fearful and filled with anxiety. (Tho I took a Xanax and slept better last night). I understand your feelings--that knot in your stomach, the lump in your throat. I don't have advice, just understanding, and hugs for you....

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Breast cancer pretty much feeds off estrogen. I was lucky in that I had much less time than most women with estrogen running through my system.

My breast cancer was known as triple negative, which is not hormone related. It is one of the least studied types of breast cancer, as the vast majority of cases are estrogen related. They are thinking that in the future, it may be classified as a whole different type of cancer. We shall see.

Currently they are looking at the genes of each cancer in the hopes of understanding more about it and tailoring treatment to each individual case, as no two cases are ever exactly alike. Naturally, this is in the beginning stages, is quite expensive, and insurance companies may not want to pay for it. More info: http://www.boston.com/news/local/ma...h_to_use_genetics_to_personalize_cancer_care/

Much is happening thanks to funding for research. Even since I was first diagnosed in 2003, there have been many advances. I think this should help make the OP hopeful for the future, as I am for myself and for my family.

 

[kerrynic78]

As someone who is sitting on pins and needles waiting for biopsy results on a solid mass in my breast, this thread really hit home.

The doctor said since I am only 31 and have no history of breast cancer in my family she is looking on the bright side, but she also said that the size of the mass has her worried. What a great weekend.

Thank you to everyone that has shared their story.