Breast Cancer and Prevention – Dana Neacsu, MD

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

mcimatlanta — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 19:03:09 +0000

The focus on breast cancer this month should be on education and learning about additional methods of detection and proper diagnosis. Currently mammograms are the go-to mode of breast cancer detection promoted by the medical industry. There are many pro and cons and the choice to have one is a individual decision. Equally important is the self-exam every woman should perform regularly.

But today I would like to discuss Thermography, a test used as an alternative or a complementary test to mammograms and it is non-invasive and safe tool. It detects the areas of heat in the body which can point to areas of inflammation and abnormal cellular changes. Because of this thermography may be able to detect physiological changes associated with cancer even they are just the size of a pinhead.

In addition to that there are certain blood tests currently being studied or used around the world able to give us a little more information about the cancerous cells thus making the treatment potentially more individualized. Hopefully we will see more studies and more accessibility to these tests.

Also, don’t disregard other testing which can give you more information about how and to which extent the cancer is affecting the whole body. I usually check blood glucose, inflammation markers, hormonal and liver tests, vitamin D levels, heavy metals levels and we use those results as well when we design an individualized plan of treatment. We also make sure there are no sleep issues since there are some correlation noted between insomnia and breast cancer, so we check melatonin levels, various neurotransmitters and sleep apnea testing if needed.

It is always exciting when a new test comes to the market and it seems like SureTouch Breast Self-Exam device. It was developed by Harvard scientists, FDA cleared, and it is radiation-free. It is able to produce a digital surface map of the breast where abnormalities may be spotted. Since these technologies are fairly new it is important to ask a healthcare provider about them first in order to determine if they are right for you.

Very important to know your choices and make informed decisions!

HAPPY FALL!

Fighting Cancer with Hope Wednesday, April 18 at 11 AM – 1:30 PM

mcimatlanta — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 18:07:54 +0000

Join Us For Our Third Annual Fighting Cancer with Hope Fashion Show

The Fighting Cancer with Hope Spring Fashion Show and luncheon will be held at the Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta Wednesday, April 18th from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dillard’s will once again provide the latest Spring fashions and the extraordinary models will be 15 cancer patients and survivors from right here in Georgia. You will be treated to an unforgettable fashion show, seated lunch, silent auction, and live music. New this year is a photographic narrative exhibit “The Warrior Within”, highlighting the courageous stories of the models. We hope that you can make it. If not, please consider donating a ticket to a cancer patient here in Georgia. Last year we had 200+ attendees and ran out of tickets, so don’t delay! For more information about sponsorship and tickets,
please visit feelbeautifultoday.org.

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER

mcimatlanta — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:53:05 +0000

Integrative medicine emphasizes personal empowerment to choose a healthy lifestyle that can help prevent cancer from occurring, support the body through the treatment or prevent recurrence. Many factors may not be in our control, but many lifestyle choices are.

So here are 5 important tips:

1.During cancer treatment the food should not only support the body but also minimize the adverse reactions and even possibly potentiate the treatment effects. Eat a plant-based diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), avoid trans fats and increase the amount of omega 3 fatty acids (fish, flaxseed, walnuts).Avoid sugar and processed foods. Buy organic as much as possible. One great website to check for information is Environmental Working Group for their extensive database including food, safe cosmetics or cleaning products to name a few. Drink green tea 2-3 cups a day and don’t forget your water. Incorporate mushrooms in your diet especially the medicinal ones like maitake, reishi, shiitake or even us them as supplements.

2.Use dietary supplements cautiously and always check with your health care practitioner, some of the most common supplements used are aloe vera, vitamin D products, melatonin for sleep, milk thistle for liver protection.

3.Consider testing for intracellular nutrient deficiencies and replace accordingly to make sure your body has enough resources to detox and heal.

4.Exercise! combine aerobic activity such as walking with strength training and also consider more meditative movement like yoga or tai chi. Many studies actually showed improved strength, immunity, well- being and survival rates.

5.Try alternative treatments for the various chemo adverse reactions: acupuncture is great for fatigue, nausea, postmenopausal symptoms, pain or lymphedema. Massage therapy is great for anxiety, insomnia or pain and I would advise you to look for a massage therapist who is trained to work with cancer patients. Any form of stress reduction therapies would work as well: meditation, art therapy, music, mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Make healthy lifestyle choices a part of your routine and attend to self-care every day!

INTEGRATIVE MEDICAL CARE FOR BREAST CANCER

mcimatlanta — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 09:39:34 +0000

SPECIAL SECTION: Partners in Pink

Integrative medicine emphasizes personal empowerment to choose a healthy lifestyle that can help prevent cancer from occurring, support the body through treatment or prevent recurrence. Many factors may not be in our control, but certain lifestyle choices are.

1. During cancer treatment, food should not only support the body, but also minimize the adverse reactions and even possibly potentiate the treatment effects. Eat a plant-based diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), avoid trans fats and increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids (fish, flaxseed, walnuts) consumed. Avoid sugar and processed foods. Buy organic as much as possible. One great website to check for information is Environmental Working Group for their extensive database including food, safe cosmetics or cleaning products, to name a few. Drink 2-3 cups of green tea a day and don’t forget your water. Incorporate mushrooms in your diet, particularly the medicinal varieties such as maitake, reishi and shiitake.

2. Use dietary supplements cautiously and always check with your healthcare practitioner. Some of the most
common supplements used are aloe vera, vitamin D products, melatonin for sleep and milk thistle for liver protection.

3. Consider testing for intracellular nutrient deficiencies and replenish accordingly to make sure your body has enough resources to detox and heal.

4. Exercise! Combine aerobic activity, such as walking, with strength training and also consider more meditative movement like yoga or tai chi. Many studies actually show improved strength, immunity, well-being and survival rates.

5. Try alternative treatments for the various chemo adverse reactions: acupuncture is great for fatigue, nausea, postmenopausal symptoms, pain or lymphedema. Massage therapy is great for anxiety, insomnia or pain; look for a massage therapist who is trained to work with cancer patients. Any form of stress reduction therapy also helps: meditation, art therapy, music or mindfulness-based stress reduction.