Beauty Out of Africa

10 Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I thought I'd share some tips from the good doctor. Ann Kulze, M.D. is the author of Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet, a primary care physician, spokesperson for Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant and mother of four. Here are some of her recommendations to help prevent cancer

5 Steps to help prevent cancer

1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life. Weight gain in midlife, independent of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk.

2. Minimize or avoid alcohol. Alcohol use is the most well established dietary risk factor for breast cancer.

3. Consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Eat seven or more servings daily. The superstars for breast cancer protection include all cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower) ; dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach) ; carrots and tomatoes. The superstar fruits include citrus, berries and cherries.

4. Exercise regularly the rest of your life. Many studies have shown that regular exercise provides powerful protection against breast cancer. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) five or more days a week. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are key!

5.  Maintain a positive mental outlook. Engage in self-nurturing behaviors regularly. Develop rich, warm and mutually beneficial relationships with family and friends. Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night). The mind-body associations with breast cancer are significant.
6. Do your fats right! The type of fat in your diet can affect your breast cancer risk. Minimize consumption of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils), saturated fats and trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and herring).

Some Recommendations on How to avoid Exposure to BPA

The Washington Post Article listed the following ways to avoid exposure to BPA

• Look for BPA-free toys, baby bottles and containers.
• Reduce your use of canned food; eat fresh or frozen foods instead. Bisphenol A has been found in the lining of canned food tins.
• If you use hard polycarbonate plastics (Nalgene bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups), do not heat them or use them for warm or hot liquids. Heating plastics to high temperatures may promote the leaching of chemicals out of containers and into the food or liquid they hold. Freezing plastics poses no such risk.
• Instead of polycarbonate and PVC plastics, consider using alternatives such as polyethylene plastic -- also labeled as PETE or recycling code #1, #2 (HDPE) and #4 (LDPE). Polypropylene (recycling code #5, or PP) is also considered a safe choice. Recycling code #7 may mean the product contains BPA.
• Do not wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher with harsh detergents.

Happy Birthday Judy

Judy Gunderson aka the zencart diva is celebrating another milestone in life, Happy Birthday. Even at this writing, she is working feverishly on Shearadiance.com trying to troubleshoot a nightmare of a problem with our secure certificate ugh!! She also did an awesome job with our new wholesale site  shearadiancesupplies.com which will be online in a few weeks.  We want to wish judy a Happy Birthday because this is another great milestone in her life and continuing victory over breast cancer. Checkout her online diary.
Judy is a real fire cracker. This lady can whip out most basic e-commerce sites in less than a week. Sometimes she gets very ill after treatments, but once she is feeling better she works like a crazy woman. Check out her site at zencart-ecommerce-website-design.com

What I love about Judy, her crazy laugh. When she gets really frustrated with my projects, she talks about pulling out her non exixtent hair and chewing her fingers to the toe nails :)

Happy Birthday Judy. Praying for long life and good health for you and your family. Keep doing your thing girl!!

Concluding thoughts on Cancer Awareness Month

Even though Cancer awareness month is officially over, I know the battle is not over for women everywhere battling the disease. Most of us know of someone in our immediate family or circle of friends who may be going through treatment after getting that dreadful diagnosis.
A lot of research is being done to find a cure for Cancer and I believe it is just a matter of time before cancer as we know it today becomes less of a threat. Just like polio, smallpox and other diseases that once had the power to afflict a whole population are now diseases of the past, so shall it be with cancer. I believe that the power to heal and the wisdom to find the cure to heal comes from the Lord. He is the author of life and all good things. We live in a fallen world that is afflicted with disease, hunger, wars and famine and yet in the midst of all this gloom, God is at work in the lives of men and women. He is still answering the prayers of those who call upon Him. He is still giving insight, light and direction to researchers. He will reveal the cure for cancer,HIV/AIDs and more if we continue to have hope and do what needs to be done to seek the cure. For those who are in the midst of the battle, hold onto hope, help is on the way. God loves you and has a plan for your life.

A Woman on A mission

Lisa Morton is a woman on a mission. She believes that a day is coming when no woman will ever have to hear the words ' You have Breast Cancer'. Lisa is no stranger to these words, she is a survivor after being diagnosed and treated 7 years ago.

I had an opportunity to talk to Lisa about her passion to see this disease eliminated by raising awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society.

Funlayo: Can you share a little about your personal experience and what led you to become involved with the American Cancer Society? 

Lisa: As a BC survivor, in remission now for  seven years. I had a strong desire not only to fight this disease that invaded my body but to also be aware of the disease by educating and bringing awareness to myself and others other about this disease.   So I researched and read about this disease. I found myself more and more interested what I have found about the disease that early detection is the key.  My support of my family and friends, I was introduced to this organization and became involved as a volunteer in different programs offered through the ACS. 

Funlayo: What advice do you have for women in particular about their health when it comes to Cancer prevention? 

Lisa: Yearly mammograms and self exams (SBEs) is part of early detection.  We spend time getting our hair, nails, etc. done.  As part of you celebration for life what better way then to schedule your mammogram during the month of your birthday.   

Funlayo: What can you say to women who have been diagnosed with cancer and now undergoing treatment? 

Lisa: It's only a journey and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Don't give up!  Cancer is not a death sentence.  Take one day a time. You can beat this !!!  All things are possible thru Christ who strengthens me.

Funalyo: Finally, tell us a little bit about your involvement with ACS and special fund raising events you have planned to create awareness about Breast Cancer this month? 

Lisa: This months 1st annual  event sponsored by our official sponsor D' Light Skate N Palace in PG county along with other sponsors raised money and participated in the annual walk on the Mall.    Proceeds will go towards the National Capital Area ACS chapter and Making Strides against breast cancer. 

To learn more about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the American Cancer Society's fight against the disease, visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

New Breast Center Opening at University of Maryland

My family and I have been regulars at University Of Maryland Hospital for the past 9 years more times than we can can count :) 
I noticed something new on the first level of the hospital this week, University of Maryland hospital now has a dedicated 'Breast Center'.
According to hospital sources -  screening, diagnosing and treating women for diseases of the breast takes the medical equivalent of a village with specialists in breast imaging, internal medicine, surgery and Oncology.  The purpose of the new Breast Center is to streamline services for patients. It brings together world-class staff and the most advanced all digital screening and diagnostic technology available. This 'village' will be the pleasant  custom designed space where they can see their patients and collaborate with each other face-to-face.

Congratulations to University of Maryland Hospital for investing in Womens health especially in the area of Breast Cancer care

5 Things to Tell Your Friends About Breast Cancer

1. All women are at risk for breast cancer - even those who have no family history of the disease.
2. The two greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older
3. Survival rates are high for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, when the cancer is small and has not spread.
4. Smart strategies for reducing cancer include regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol intake.
5. Through early detection and improved treatment, more women than ever are beating breast cancer

Source: Pamphlet from American Cancer Society

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Shea Radiance will be dedicating this month to discussing issues about Breast Cancer and womens health. I will be talking to some wonderful ladies who will share their experience, recommendations and advice on surviving and thriving after a Breast Cancer diagnosis. Stay Tuned.

Shea Butter Therapies for Cancer Patients

A good friend of our family is undergoing very intense Chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. One of the side effects of Chemotherapy treatment is the impact it has on the skins natural moisture. Chemo reduces the amount of oil the glands secrete. The result is dry, itch, flaky skin. It can cause irritation and worse of all, if proper care is not taken the skin can break.

My friend was particularly concerned about the skin around her feet especially her heels. I made a batch of whipped Shea butter, enriched with Vitamin E, avocado oil, sweet almond,  jojoba and other wonderful oils and drizzled with glycerin for moisture retention. I added some soothing Lavender essential oils for the aromatherapy and healing properties. She took the whipped butter to her doctor for approval and began using it consistently for about a week. She called me this weekend to tell me what a difference it made to her skin.

Unrefined Shea Butter is a wonderful healing balm for all skin types. It is especially great for those who are undergoing harsh treatments like Chemotherapy and even those who are diabetic and need to keep their skin moist at all times. Shea Radiance is offering a special discount for Cancer and Diabetic patients on our whipped Shea butter creams and Shea butter soaps. Send me an email will forward a special discount code to you. Stay healthy and take care of yourself.