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Anti-Cancer
Lifestyle ...
Mammogram Safety
Concerns
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Mammograms—Who Needs Them?
by Susun S. Weed, Women’s Health Expert
author of Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman
Way
"The perfect antidote to fear." Carolyn DeMarco,
MD
Foreword by Christiane Northrup, M.D. 380 pages, index,
illustrations.
Retails for $14.95
available at:
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000022
Perhaps no aspect of breast cancer is more widely publicized
than screening mammography. Ads on television, in magazines,
and in the daily paper urge women to deal with fear about
breast cancer by having a yearly mammogram. We’re
even told that doing this is a way to “really care
for yourself.”
But screening mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer.
A mammogram is an x-ray and x-rays cause cancer. The ads
promoting regular screening mammography are paid for by
those who stand to profit from their widespread acceptance
and use—the manufacturers of the equipment and x-ray
film. Whose health does this technology really benefit?
Women’s health? Or corporate health?
Should women have screening mammograms? At what age? How
frequently? Science hasn’t agreed on answers to these
questions. Weed believes that her anti-cancer lifestyle
(see page xv in Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise
Woman Way) will decrease risk of dying from breast
cancer in a way that regular mammograms won’t. She
cares for her breasts with infused herbal oils, regular
loving touch, organic foods, and healthy exercise—and
forgos regular screening mammograms. If you decide to have
a mammogram, Weed offers advice on how to protect yourself
and get the most out of it.
If You Decide to Have a Mammogram
• Get the best, even if it means a long journey.
• Go where they specialize, preferably where they
do at least 20 mammograms a day.
• Be sure the facility is accredited by the American
College of Radiology.
• Insist on personnel who specialize in mammograms.
(Taking and reading mammograms are skills that require intensive
training and a lot of practice.)
• Ask how old the equipment is. Newer equipment exposes
the breasts to less radiation. A dedicated unit (one specifically
for mammograms) is best.
• Ask how they ensure quality control. When was their
unit calibrated?
• Load your blood with carotenes by eating a cup
of cooked sweet potato, winter squash, or carrots every
day for a week before the mammogram to prevent radiation
damage to your DNA.
• Expect to be cold and uncomfortable during the
mammogram, but do say something if you’re being hurt.
• The more compressed the breast tissue, the clearer
the mammogram. (But pressure may spread cancer cells if
they’re present.)
• If your breasts are tender, reschedule. During
your fertile years, schedule mammograms for 7–10 days
after your menstrual flow begins.
• Don’t wear antiperspirant containing aluminum;
it can interfere with the imaging process. (Those clear
stones do contain aluminum, as do most commercial antiperspirants.)
• If you want another opinion, you’ll need
the original mammographic films, not copies. (X-ray facilities
only keep films for 7 years.)
• Get your doctor to agree, in writing, before the
procedure, to give you a copy of your mammogram. The U.S.
Public Health Service advises women to ask for written results
from a mammogram.
• Given the high percentage of “false normal”
mammograms, if you think you have cancer, trust your intuition.
• Remove radioactive isotopes from your body with
burdock root, seaweed, or miso.
Remember: Mammograms don’t promote
breast health.
Breast self-massage, breast self-exam, and lifestyle changes
do.
Breast Meditation
Sit comfortably in front of a large mirror in a warm, private
space. Bare your breasts. Look in the mirror. Tell your
breasts something like: “I love you. You are just
the way you are supposed to be. I see your perfection. I
know your beauty. I honor your power.” Use your own
words. Repeat as many times as you like. When you are done,
close your eyes. Slowly bring your hands up and cup them
under your breasts. Say: “My breasts are healthy.
My breasts are powerful.” Open your eyes and look
at yourself in the mirror, saying, “My breasts are
my strength. My strength nourishes me and others.”
Close your eyes and let your hands return to your lap. Sit
quietly and breathe as you visualize glowing pink clouds
within your breasts spiraling in toward your nipples for
a minute. Continuing to breathe, let this sparkling pink
energy spiral out for a minute. As you breathe, imagine
the energy doing figure-eights from breast to breast for
a minute. Finally, imagine that you are plunging your hands
into vibrant pink energy. Feel it flowing up your arms,
through your armpits and out of your nipples. Open your
eyes, smile at yourself in the mirror, and come out of the
meditation.
About the Author
Susun Weed is an extraordinary teacher with a joyous spirit,
a powerful presence, and an encyclopedic knowledge of herbs
and health. She is the voice of the Wise Woman Way, where
common weeds, simple ceremony, and compassionate listening
support and nourish health/wholeness/holiness. She has opened
hearts to the magic and medicine of the green nations for
three decades. Ms. Weed's four herbal medicine books focus
on women's health topics including menopause, childbearing,
and breast health. Visit her site www.susunweed.com for
information on her workshops, apprenticeships, correspondence
courses and more! Browse the publishing site http://www.wisewomanbookshop.com
to learn more about her alternative health books.
Venture into the NEW Menopause site http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com
to learn all about the Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way.
Breast Cancer? Breast
Health! The Wise Woman Way
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000022
Finally, a non-threatening book about breast cancer.
Can women do more than submit to a yearly examination to insure
the health of their breasts? According to Susun Weed, the highly-regarded
author of Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way,
there are many simple ways for women to increase the health
of their breasts. Unlike most other books on the subject of
breast health and breast cancer, which are clinical and frightening,
Weed speaks from a place of warmth, sensitivity and compassion,
giving comfort, reassurance and extremely practical advice.
She gives the positive message that every cell of a woman's
breasts can be nurtured, rejuvenated and healed by the energies
of touch, pleasure, love, whole food, and green, healing plants.
Ms. Weed suggests a two-fold approach to breast health:
increase the foods and lifestyle choices that are known
to prevent cancer, and decrease or eliminate those things
that are known to increase cancer risk. Breast Cancer?
Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way, explains all the
risk factors for breast cancer, from excess hormones (especially
estrogen) to tobacco smoke, radiation to poor diet. She
sets out simple, pleasant, affordable ways to create your
own anti-cancer lifestyle, including the best foods and
herbs to add to your diet.
But what if a lump is found or, worse yet, if the diagnosis
is cancer? Ms. Weed's book gives thorough information that
helps women move through the tangle of possible options.
She offers advice that deals not only with the physical
aspects of treating lumps and cancer, but also the emo-
tional, relational, and spiritual factors involved. Weed
argues against taking action immediately, offering strong
support for her opinion that women must give themselves
time to make wise decisions that are not based on fear.
After a woman has chosen her treatment options, susun continues
to offer her support through the use of complementary medicines
-herbal and home remedies that are proven to moderate the
side effects of surgery, radiation, tamoxifen, and chemotherapy,
without interfering with their effectiveness. For instance,
she cites statistics showing that women who attend regular
support groups double their survival time after diagnosis,
that women who exercise regularly similarly increase their
longevity, and that standard Heroic cures, including fasting,
enemas, and high-dose supplements, actually increase morbidity
and should be avoided.
Ms. Weed does not avoid the difficult questions surrounding
breast cancer, but discusses them without engendering fear
and guilt. She writes, "So many of our modern healers,
alternative and orthodox alike, fear death. When a diagnosis
of cancer is made, death becomes the enemy. Fear of death
-- rather than love of life -- then becomes the basis from
which treatments are chosen." Ultimately, Susun urges
women to find ways to love their life without clinging,
and to learn to honor their death. Doing so can open many
doors, including those to a longer and richer life. Metastic
breast cancer, she acknowledges, is curable only by "miracles"...which
definetly do happen!
Christiane Northrup, author of the best selling Women's
Bodies, Women's Wisdom, writes in the introduction
that she learned the importance of breast health fourteen
years ago when she developed a large breast abcess while
nursing her first child. Due to her demanding schedule of
work and devotion to the healing of others, she neglected
her own self-care, resulting in the complete destruction
of the structure of her breast duct. From that experience
she bacame aware that we cannot nurture others fully or
well unless we also nurture ourselves. "Our breasts
know this. And they will not be silenced in their attempts
to bring this to our attention," she states.
Susun agrees. She writes that women have a wise healer
within that has been silenced, ignored, and ridiculed for
the last several millennia. Breast Cancer? Breast Health!
The Wise Woman Way gives explicit instructions for
reconnecting with this inner wisdom, as well as detailed
information about the herbal remedies mentioned in the book.
An Herbal Pharmacy section contains instructions on making
specific preparations (such as infusions, tinctures, oils,
and vinegars) for those who want to do it themselves. All
of Weed's recipes and suggestions are extremely easy to
find, buy, make, or do, and do not require the fanatical
extremes that are often recommended in other cancer treatment
books. Her advice and wisdom can easily fit into the life
of every woman who is concerned about good health.
Supporting women and their body wisdom unconditionally,
Weed makes the process of maintaining or regaining breast
health into a magical journey of transformation and offers
women the opportunity to become healthy/whole/holy. Breast
Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way guides the
reader through her fear, to a place of action where she
can honor her own integrity, and choose the best course
for her life.
Learn more at: http://www.breasthealthbook.com
For permission to reprint this article, or to schedule
a radio interview, contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com
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Weed Wanderings herbal ezine is sponsored by
www.susunweed.com and www.wisewomanbookshop.com
Susun Weed is one of America's best-known authorities
on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books--recommended by expert herbalists and well-known
physicians--are used and cherished by millions of women globally. Topics
include childbearing, breast health, menopause, wellbeing, and
more.
The Wise Woman Center exists to re-weave the healing
cloak of the Ancients. This land is sacred, it is a safe space for
women, and a place for the teachings of the Wise Woman Way. The Goddess
lives here, as do goats, fairies, green witches, and elders. There
are many classes, workshops and intensives that are offered at the
Wise Woman Center.
For a schedule of events, please call, write or e-mail us.
©Susun Weed -Wise Woman Center
The content provided by Susun Weed and the Wise Woman Center is for
information purposes only and is in no way intended to be a substitute
for medical consultation with a qualified professional. We encourage
Internet users to be careful when using medical information. If you
are unsure about your medical condition, consult your own health practitioner.
Although we carefully review our content, Susun Weed cannot guarantee
nor take responsibility for the medical accuracy of documents published
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