Surviving the Global Breast Implant Cancer Epidemic- BIA-ALCL

John Feal and the FealGood Foundation: ENSURING CANCER CARE FOR 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS

Nesconset, NY (April 20, 2018) - Meet Long Island's own John Feal- a former Ground Zero contractor injured on the 9/11 job site and turned national super-advocate & champion for the prevalence of the 9/11 VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND, THE WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM and the JAMES ZADROGA ACT. He founded the FEALGOOD FOUNDATION, the largest 9/11 support organization in the country-borne from frustration to the inaction and lack of governmental support. He built a life-long career out of helping the many health victims from the 2001 disaster receive the financial compensation they deserve and gain a complete understanding of their rights for all 9/11 related injuries. His non-profit org is recorded as one of the largest fundraisers for this mission- amassing over $8.5M of active funding for the compensation bill plus another $5M raised to add to the WTC fund for first responders (since the inception of FGF in 2005) from online donations and public fundraising. John Feal became a major voice for all first responders working tirelessly between local and national fronts to gain legislative stakes for the rights of all those exposed to the many health hazards of ground zero.

By 2010, a new form of devastation appeared out of the shadows: a significant number of advanced and aggressive cancer cases suddenly grew within the many surviving rescuers and ground zero exposed. These victims were formerly cleared of any illnesses at first testing are now showing surprising numbers of cases of over 68 cancer types in the blood, brain, lung, liver, thyroid and skin. The 2010 bill was passed at a time when there were NO cancer cases, hence funds and congressional support was not prepared for any of this. The tsunami wave of new cancers that mutated after 8-10 years of dormancy does not even (yet) account for the "asbestos cancer... because that takes 20 years on average to manifest in the body, and we're now going on year 17," says Feal. Hence, new lobbying efforts for advanced cancer care treatment are now in full swing and Mr. Feal faces an even larger hurdle to upgrade his mission to meet the current needs. (Complete interview coming soon.)

To learn more about the FealGood Foundation or to Donate, visit: www.fealgoodfoundation.com

Notables: AwarenessforaCure.org welcomes John Feal as a new ambassador of the NY CANCER RESOURCE ALLIANCE- endorsed by Awarenessforacure.org.  We support his mission and many great efforts at the FealGood Foundation.


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Advanced Diagnostics and the Rise of Post 9/11 Aggressive Cancers
by: Dr. Robert Bard
Edited by: Carmen Regallo-Dewitt (AFAC in-house editor)

I started my career in medicine in 1968 and enlisted in the US Air Force during the Vietnam era as a radiologist. There I learned the discipline of immediate response to the call of duty, whether it be for the protection of our country or rescuing human life. The 9/11 tragedy brought out that same spirit when our first responders called for help.

I extended my practice to the many police personnel, firefighters, contractors and volunteers who were exposed to toxins or were injured in ground zero during and after that fateful attack, and one by one, cases of knee and hand injuries from rescuers who struggled with the many flights of stairs of the towers or dug out hot and heavy rubble to respond to cries for help. I also handled other TRAUMA cases like eye injuries where my technology was the most effective way to quickly and accurately identify a dislocated lens, retinal detachment and foreign matter (glass or splinter) that made its way behind the swollen eye lid or into the blood stream.  My group tackled each injury with the best of care, compassion and the highest commitment to recovery using minimally invasive sonogram diagnostics.

A decade or so later, news broke of unique and advanced cases of CANCER arising in droves.  The same individuals exposed to the toxic fumes and plumes of hazardous particles of the danger zone contracted aggressive cases of CANCER and were in immediate demand for medical care and support.  My practice was no stranger to this dilemma as I began meeting and diagnosing cancer tumors in the lung, liver, kidney, brain, skin and eye probably related to 9/11 exposure.

I personally met James Zadroga in 1992 at a public event. The name did not impact me until way past his untimely demise on 2006. Having connected with John Feal of the FealGood Foundation, we put all the pieces together as far as the extensive yet never-ending work that still has yet to be done to bring much needed support, compensation and political awareness to help the many survivors and affected rescuers of the 9/11 disaster.  The Zadroga Compensation Act was established (2011) by a group of D.C. advocates who drove legislation to ensure that those exposed to the 9/11 disaster continue to receive monitoring and treatment services for 9/11-related health problems through at least until 2090.

This year, due to the pattern of expected calls and the rising number of cancer cases deserving advanced diagnosis of "new and unique cancers" related to the 9/11 disaster, my medical colleagues and I are preparing for this wave of cases by connecting with the WTC Health Program and other organizations related to 9/11 healthcare support - thanks especially to the leadership and direction of the FealGood Foundation. Through the unifying aid of NYCRA (NY Cancer Resource Alliance) we are expanding our network of certified professionals and outreach agencies to bring new strength and reinforcements to the ongoing battle against cancer.

EPILOGUE:
My practice, BARD CANCER DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING (NYC) has isolated and scanned countless cases of cancers using the most advanced diagnostic imaging technologies worldwide.  We provide early detection and real-time "digital biopsies" of many tumor types using 4D Doppler innovations bringing accuracy and expedience to the most comprehensive report- within MINUTES.  For our patients, this is a priceless advantage that cuts down the wait time, decreases travel (to multiple diagnostic centers) and reduces the insurmountable level of stress and intolerable problems of today’s increasing medical bureaucracy.  Our technology outperforms the advantages of MRI, X-ray and CT scans by 20-to-1.  We have an uncompromising system that’s unique to the industry whereby our combined experience and technical advancements are called upon by many university hospitals and private practices today.  My services were recently utilized during the terror attack in Nice by the truck driver who mowed down innocent civilians on the French Riviera where-x-ray and CT services were overwhelmed (I am a current member of the French Radiology Society-Societe Francaise de Radiologie and have been since 1999)

MOLLIE ADLER: LONG ISLAND BROWNIE-PRENEUR & AMBASSADOR OF "BOOBS DON'T DEFINE YOU"

INTRODUCTION

Meet Mollie Adler - an inspiration to so many who are undergoing adversity from cancer and the many tribulations of life's surprises.  Mollie took charge of breast cancer and rose beyond the afflictions of divorce and financial struggles with a remarkable new business driven to climb the corporate ranks of an expanding enterprise.  Her story brings great insight to her spirit and true self-empowerment on how she turned life's many road blocks into a path to personal success.

Story and images by: Mollie Adler (survivor)

In February of 2016, I went for a routine mammogram and was called back for a Biopsy. During my biopsy I had a spooky feeling that I had breast cancer. Before I was even told, I broke down and I cried for a few minutes. This is not supposed to happen to me. I am too young to die. I have two young kids who depend on me for everything. I have not done everything that I was meant to do…I have more life to live!!

 I finally got myself together from the teary grief session and went home. The next day the doctor officially diagnosed me with extensive DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) in my right breast.  Once the doctor officially announced what I had, I looked at him and said, "I don't have time for this crap..." [chuckle] I proceeded to say with a smile, “Ok…now what? What do I have to do to get rid of the cancer?” From that point on, I chose to face my breast cancer with a smile and treated it as just a mere blip in my plans.

The scariest part of this diagnosis is that I did not have a lump, nothing felt different. DCIS is cancer of the milk ducts. My cancer was 5cm of what appeared like granules of sand throughout my right breast. The doctor told me, had I not gone for the mammogram, within about a week or so I would have been far worse than I am, so thank God for mammograms.

MAKING THAT DECISION

The moment when they diagnosed me, LIFE was my main option. What was coursing through my veins was that I have too much ahead of me and I have young kids which meant fighting this with everything I've got.  As a single mom...I realized that I had to scrape myself off the floor emotionally... not only am I my children’s rock…this now required me to become Mt. Everest for them. 

 I was originally told that I could possibly do a Lumpectomy or remove my breasts and replace them with implants. Upon further evaluation my team of doctors informed me that to ensure the best possible outcome for me Lumpectomy was no longer a safe option. It was recommended that I remove my right breast completely, I was also informed that if I were to keep the left breast I had a 30% chance of getting cancer again… The choices that I was left with...started to narrow very quickly.

Another zippy twist came when the consensus from my team of doctors was that due to my chronic medical conditions it would be catastrophic If I were to get an infection from the implants. No plastic surgeon would take that risk and perform that procedure on me…so no implants. Once the option of implants was off the table…the struggle became real. Many tears were shed all the while feeling a sense of calmness surrounding me. The phrase “Just not today” became my catch phrase.

Do I roll the dice with a high risk of re-occurrence & have a Unilateral mastectomy (Removal of 1 breast) keep my left breast with all of the grueling treatments, or Double mastectomy and no treatments as long as my margins came back clear…with my only possible option for reconstruction is having fat reconstruction surgery which is taking fat from another part of your body to create breasts which comes with a multiple surgeries & very high risk , OR do I choose Double Mastectomy, live life flat without any breasts at all.

After all my research and reviewing the options presented to me, I elected to pursue a double mastectomy.  Knowing that the Right Breast had to get removed & the left breast had about a 30% chance of getting cancer, so removing both my breasts seemed like a no-brainer.  My decision was firm, and I didn't look back.  Knowing about this type of cancer, I was lucky that it didn't go into my lymph nodes. I caught it very early, so I was considered a stage 0, but it was rapidly spreading on the right side. It was an agonizing decision to make but I knew the choice I made was the best choice for me.

I underwent the double mastectomy in April 2016, and then in December 2016 I had to remove what are called dog ears.  Dog Ears refers to extra skin left over after double mastectomy. I had to have that extra skin removed, because it was extraordinarily painful, in doing so this would allow my scars to lay flush with my body.

Formerly a G-cup, I live my life now as flat (no breasts, no nipples).  I am also an advocate for women who are going through breast cancer & any woman who feels that their body is not what society dictates it should be. My wish is to Inspire, Empower, & give Hope! I want to show all women that you are beautiful no matter what your body looks like!! I want those women who are faced with the same choice as myself to have double mastectomy to understand & know that you will be beautiful even without your boobs... Boobs don't define you!

WITH GREAT HELP FROM TRUE FRIENDS

My two great friends Denise Rohde & Donna Schecker were both with me throughout the whole process.  Once I was diagnosed, they both stepped up to the plate, and did everything from regularly visiting to draining my drains, driving me to every doctor visit, sleeping over and caring for my kids, cooking, cleaning, bathing me, helping me to the bathroom, and even brushing my teeth. They were there every step of the way from the second I went into surgery 'til I opened my eyes. My Sister in law Leigh McKenna Adler was 7 months pregnant and came to care for me as well for the first 3 days...  I'm eternally grateful for all their support through all this.

Shortly before my Breast Cancer Surgery, I was also introduced to Jennifer Hunt and Christine Romano (Fight Like a Girl Team) these two Amazing Women were there instantly to help support me & my kids both financially and emotionally. This group is made up of so many strong, brave ladies, and I couldn't have done this without their support.

LIFE ADVERSITIES & THE RISE OF MISS MOLLIE'S BROWNIES

"My mission is to let people know that anything is possible--and that if you set a goal and put your mind to it you can do anything. If I can inspire just one person, if I can do that, it makes everything I went through worth it."

Prior to cancer, I was a stay-at-home mom for quite a long time.  I was divorced in 2013 which meant going back to work.  I was laid-off in September of 2015, this was my second layoff within a few years, and I was tired of working for others and getting nowhere. This left me once again scrambling to pay the bills and put food on the table, forcing me to go on Food Stamps & unemployment.  Through that process, the dept of Labor provided a program that gave me the resources to start a business. I knew there had to be something better out there. I decided that the next thing I do is going to be something that I love, something that I was passionate about, and baking was my best bet. Within three months I wrote my business plan, marketing plan, had labels designed, perfected my recipe and Miss Mollie’s Brownies, Inc. was born!

As my divorce resulted in my home going into foreclosure, my brownies business became a creative outlet for personal empowerment and way for me to bake to try and save my home and put food on the table.  I was determined to just put brownies in anybody's mouth who would eat them. If I was not faced with enough adversity, I also have the unique challenge with the inability to taste & smell. Yes, I am a Baker Who Can’t taste or smell! Lacking a sense of taste and smell, I eat, and bake based on presentation and texture. My kids are my Certified Taste Testers…trust me, there are no complaints there. Every single batch is tasted before it goes out the door!

Each brownie package has “My Story,” written and illustrated by my daughter Melanie. It's just from that beautifully written story I get so many humbling responses and it makes it so worthwhile to keep doing what I'm doing, which is just getting my message out there.

I got the business up and running in full swing by January 12, 2016.  I was so amazed at the craze for MY brownies!! Brownies that I cannot even taste. Things were heading in such an amazing direction... then "BANG!"  February 12, 2016…YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER!

After my surgery in April 2016, my mother flew up here from the Virgin Islands for a long-past reunion, and because she was diagnosed around that time with Kidney cancer herself.  Upon her arrival, I was supposed to meet her and take her to my oncologist in Riverhead, but due to the severity of her cancer, she collapsed getting into the car on the way to me and expired unexpectedly.   Losing a mom this way is dreadful, but even more so because I never got that validating hug that can only come from that one special person - letting me know that boobs don't define you.  I knew she was very proud of me and as a single mom herself of 10 children, her unique strength and remarkable spirit lives on in me.

Somewhere in between grieving the loss of my breasts and the loss of my mom, I have once again found solitude in baking. By early 2017, I restarted the business once again.  I'm back at the Port Jeff Farmers' Market every Sunday, and my brownies are gaining more popularity as they appear in stores such as Greek Island Diner in (Wading River), Bagel Lady Café (Shoreham) and Theatre Three (Port Jefferson). My Motto…Don’t Look Back…Keep going forward…So I'm moving forward, and my goals are to get on Shark Tank & one day become a household name! We'll keep on making the world a sweeter place one brownie at a time until we get there.

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Special thanks to: 
Mollie Adler, Melanie Cento, Denise Rohde, Donna Schecker, Leigh Mckenna Adler, Jennifer Hunt / Christine Romano of "Fight Cancer Like a Girl" Team
LI2Day Walk (www.li2daywalk.org)

Additional links:
Miss Mollie's Brownie Page: https://www.facebook.com/MissMolliesBrownies/
Mollie Adler's Breast Cancer Blog (Boobs Don't Define You): 
https://www.facebook.com/Boobsdontdefineyou/

Mollie Adler's Instagram Links: http://www.Instagram.com/missmolliesbrownies
Mollie Adler (http://www.instagram.com/boobsdontdefineyou) • Instagram photos and videos

Awareness for a Cure (supporting members):
Co-Editor: Laurel Muckey of Integrative Medicine of NY (www.imofny.com)
Co-Editor: Dr. Jesse A. Stoff of Stoff Institute for Medical Research
Production / Editor - IntermediaWorx inc. (www.imworx.com)
Technical Support: Early Detection & Prevention program: (www.bardcancerdetection.com)
Technical Advisor: Annie Brandt / Best Answer for Cancer (www.bestanswerforcancer.org)


DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this article is written  and submitted by the writer whose name is stated in the title (Mollie Adler) who provided express consent to the publishing of this material.  This article is not meant to be used to diagnose, treat or advise others about what actions they should take with regard to any medical condition.  No one should undertake or discontinue any treatment as a result of what they read on our blogs. The publisher(s), editors, sponsors or other  "supporting members" of AwarenessforaCure.org are providing a strictly educational service and are not responsible for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific health needs. and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation to any person(s) reading the information in this article or its thread. Readers with medical needs should obtain appropriate professional medical supervision. References are provided for any informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources.



Advertisement:

Canine Cancer: A Progressive Approach to Prevention and Treatment.

- By Dr. Lynda Loudon

Note from the editor: For those who consider our pets to be a true member of the family,  we dedicate this special prevention article to keeping our furry loved ones safe and cancer-free.

(Updated Oct 1, 2018)

Cancer is a sad reality for many dog owners that often cuts short precious time with beloved pets.  Cancer is currently the leading cause of death in canines with every dog having a 50% chance of dying from cancer.  It is more important than ever for pet owners to understand how their pets may be at risk for cancer, how to help prevent it and how to find the best treatment in order to prolong the life of their dog.

Causes:

As with all cancers, genetic, environmental factors, and toxins all play a role in the development of cancer.  Certain breeds are more prone to developing cancer.   However, I along with many other veterinarians believe that the commercial diets we are feeding and over-vaccination also play major roles in the massive amount of cancer we are seeing in our patients.

The problem with the majority of today’s commercial canine diets is that they have strayed far way from the natural diet that our dog’s ancestors thrived on.  Dr. Greg Ogilvie, who was head of internal medicine and oncology at Colorado State University, researched the correlation between diet and canine cancer.  One of the major findings was that the by-products of grain metabolism –glucose and lactate-feed cancer cells.  He strongly recommended avoiding grains and carbohydrates especially in canine cancer patients.  Many of these diets not only have excessive carbohydrates but many of these carbohydrates are GMOs that are exposed to high levels of pesticides.

Commercial dog diets are also processed and exposed to high heat altering the food’s nutritional value. There are often antibiotic residues, mycotoxins and storage mites in the food.  Chemical preservatives such as ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT are also often used.  

There is compelling evidence in veterinary medicine implicating vaccines as a trigger for immune mediated diseases and various types of cancer in dogs.  There is also vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) or feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS) that is a type of malignant tumor found in cats (and less commonly in dogs and ferrets), which has been linked to certain vaccines.  It is important to tailor a vaccination protocol to the specific patient.  I recommend a protocol that includes three rounds of puppy core vaccines starting at 9-10 weeks of age then a vaccine booster at one year.  After that the dog can have a serum antibody titer performed to test for immunity to the core diseases. When considering non-core vaccinations for your dog it is important to consider the risk of vaccine vs risk of disease. For example, kennel cough is usually a self-limiting condition and is therefore not a disease worth vaccinating against, in my opinion.  Lyme disease may be prevalent in your area however there are precautions that can be taken to avoid tick bites in the first place.  Dr Jean Dodds is very well-known for her minimum vaccine protocols and is a great resource of vaccination information.  She has authored several articles such as "Changing Vaccine Protocols". 

Treatment:

There are many conventional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation that are sometimes necessary and may be effective in treating cancer.   I personally perform surgery on a regular basis removing abdominal tumors in order to save a cancer patient’s life.  However, the treatment cannot end here.  Every patient must be treated as an individual and the tools available must be utilized and tested in order to find the best therapy for each patient.  The more tools that can be provided for a cancer patient the better chance of prolonged survival.  The difference between conventional medicine’s approach to cancer treatment and functional medicine’s approach is that conventional targets the cancer; integrative or functional medicine focuses on the body as whole.  The cancer is part of the whole body and not considered separate.

The purpose of integrative treatment is strengthen the immune system, alleviate pain, reduce stress, heal wounds and to diminish the toxic load created by traditional chemotherapy.

INTEGRATIVE THERAPY

There are many options to helping the body fight cancer.  It is important to seek out the expertise of an experienced holistic veterinarian to formulate a plan that will work best for your pet.

1) I.V. antioxidant therapy containing carotenoids, vitamin C and E and selenium.  The purpose is to improve immune function, decrease toxicity to non-cancer cells, reverse metabolic changes and increase tumor response to chemotherapy and radiation.   IV administration of these supplements is much more effective because it bypasses the liver and gastrointestinal tract and is delivered directly to the bloodstream.

2) Ozone therapy: is a very potent form of oxygen.  Healthy cells thrive on oxygen and the microbes that cause cancer are typically anaerobic, meaning they thrive in the absence of oxygen.  It is most often administered as an IV solution mixed with saline or as a  topical gel that is applied directly to tumors or skin lesions.  It can also be injected directly to cancerous tumors.

3) Hyperbaric chamber therapy: In a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the air pressure is up to three times greater than normal. This causes the lungs to collect up to three times more pure oxygen than is possible when breathing atmospheric oxygen. The pure oxygen is transported throughout the body via the blood stream, which encourages the release of growth factors and stem cells that promote healing.

4) Pol-MVA therapy- this combines the vitamin lipoic acid with the trace element palladium. It supports oxygenation of cells and tissues and improves cellular function.

5)  Neoplasena-  this is a formulation created by Dr. Terrence Fox at Buck Mountain Botanicals.  It recognizes and kills cancer cells.  It is made up of alkaloids found in the bloodroot plant, Sanquinaria    Canadensis.  It comes in a topical ointment and injection.

SUPPLEMENTS
1. Turmeric and its active ingredient Curcumin. Stat 3, a protein that helps tumors metastasize and defend against chemotherapy, is inhibited by curcumin.

2. Antemissin:  This Chinese herb has been used to treat malaria and has now been shown to destroy many types of cancer cells as well.  Unlike conventional cancer drugs like chemo, Artemisinin seems to target cancer cells and leave normal cells unharmed.research is needed to find the most effective dosing.

3. Max’s formula created by Dr. Huisheng Xie, founder of the Chai institute in Reddick, Fl.

4.Fish oil. Dose: 1400mg per 25lbs daily. 

5.Natural antioxidants: such as are berries, pomegranate, green tea, cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

6.Vitamin A, C and selenium

7.Immustim Complex by professional formulas- provides an excellent balance of antioxidants.

8.Hemp seed oil provides a healthy balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats. Dose: 1 tspn/lb of food fed.

9. Apocaps was created by Dr Demian Dressler, author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide. It contains the apoptogens luteolin, apigenin, curcumin and silymarin, as well as gingerols, beta glucans, and l-glutamine.  Apoptogens support the body’s natural process of aptoptosis – the clearing out of old and damaged cells from the body.

DIET

In cancer patients, the body is constantly looking for more protein because the immune system is weak.  They body ends up drawing protein from muscle. This creates a wasting condition and is why so many cancer patients are emaciated.

The ideal diet for a canine cancer patient is high in protein, high in fats and low in carbohydrates. A raw grain free diet high in antioxidants and essential amino acids is ideal.

What to look for in a commercial raw diet:

1.     Protein quality

2.     Organ meats should be part of the blend

3.     Good balance of bone and meat

4.     No more than 15% fats

5.     Low carbs

6.     Contains vegetables

7.     Contains supplements such kelp, spirulina, apple cider vinegar and EFA oils

8.     Price- if its cheap its probably not the best quality

An exception to feeding a commercial raw diet is the dog that will not eat it.  It is very important that cancer patients receive adequate nutrition.  You can try a balanced home –cooked diet in these pets.  A good resource for balanced home-cooked diets is balanceit.com.

 Cancer is far too common in our beloved canine friends. It is important to know that a healthy, appropriate diet may prevent cancer in our dogs.  Over-vaccination has been implicated in the rise of canine cancer and therefore vaccination protocols should be tailored to each individual patient.   And lastly, there are many treatment options out there beyond the conventional surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  Do your research, find an experienced holistic veterinarian and be the voice for your dog’s best interest.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Lynda Loudon is an accomplished emergency veterinarian with 15 years of experience in her field. She is currently Medical Director of Animal Emergency Services in Selden and Commack, Long Island. Dr. Loudon’s professional interests include emergency medicine and critical care, nutrition, pain management and holistic medicine. As an emergency veterinarian, Dr. Loudon was too often confronted with a situation where an animal in need of care could not receive treatment due to lack of finances. She could no longer allow this to be a factor in her patient’s care and therefore founded Healing Haven Animal Foundation. (www.healinghavenaf.org)

Aside from her current position as Medical Director, Dr. Loudon has always had a passion for helping injured or sick stray animals. She has personally rescued and treated more than 200 injured stray dogs and cats in the past 20 years. She has also fostered and rehabilitated many of these animals until they were ready to be adopted. Dr. Loudon has dedicated a large amount of time volunteering for local shelters and rescue groups. In addition to her work helping stray animals, Dr. Loudon has been the primary veterinarian to large profile abuse cases such as Maximus, the pit bull who was set on fire by his owner in 2007 and Joey, the pit bull who had been thrown from a moving car in 2012. Dr. Loudon’s purpose and mission is to create a place where animals will get the veterinary care they deserve despite finances, where animals will have a safe haven to live, and a place where the love from animals will help people heal and grow. This is where Healing Haven Animal Foundation is heading.

Healing Haven Animal Fund (link)

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SPONSORS

Integrative Medicine of NY

Bard Cancer Diagnostics (link)

Modern Pain Relief (link)

         

A MESSAGE FOR ALL BUSY MOMS ABOUT EARLY DETECTION

By: Kristie Moore- Executive Dir. of Marketing/Public Relations-  LI2DAY Walk

Kristie Moore (2nd from Left) at the October LI2DAY 5k Race-
Organizer of major charity cancer events on Long Island.

Everything I’ve learned over the last decade working with a local grassroots cancer organization is that EARLY DETECTION is key.  Scheduling routine appointments and screening is imperative to your health.  Sounds good right?  I am a busy mom of two very active boys who play multiple travel sports year-round.  Like many, I juggle, work, the kids’ demanding schedules and make sure they have annual physicals, eye exams, teeth cleaning and routine bloodwork.  I was trying to make a conscious effort to do the same for myself.  

But somehow, I managed to forget my 2016 mammogram! 

I scheduled my 2017 mammogram and sonogram in October because it was Breast Cancer Awareness month after all! After my mammography was finished I had to wait for my sonogram to check the dense breast tissue.  The technician came into the waiting area and said they needed to get more scans because the radiologist saw something.  I had the sonogram and then the radiologist came in and told me I had to come back in 6 months.  

I missed a year folks and in that time, there were changes in my breast health. 

Please, be diligent, be your own health advocate and schedule those appointments.

So, now I am anxiously awaiting my follow-up mammogram in April.  Don’t put off your own health.  My New Years’ resolution is to do a better job of taking care of myself.  When the kids went back to school in September I scheduled all my appointments on one day. Any tests that were required by my doctors were all set up on another day.  Whether you schedule your appointments when the kids go back to school or around the time of your birthday…just get into a routine of when you go so you don’t forget. 

Take it from a busy mom.  You need to stay healthy.  You need to listen to your body.  You need to schedule those appointments and go to them.  Early detection is key.

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OFFICIAL REPORT:

BREAST SELF AWARENESS
Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you notice symptoms such as lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern. These could include changes found during a breast self-exam. You should report any changes that you notice to your doctor or health care provider. Having a clinical breast exam or doing a breast self-exam has not been found to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. See complete report from the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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KRISTIE MOORE is the Executive Director of Marketing/Public Relations and Event Co-Producer for LI2DAY-- a busy Long Island-based grassroots cancer fundraising organization.  For over 14 years, she has maintained a most rewarding and exciting career in organizing, producing and promoting charity events to raise $$ for cancer patients and cancer research all over the Island.  (See complete LI2DAY website).  Mrs. Moore is highly respected and recognized in the local non-profit circles as a "marketing powerhouse" for her unending talents and her passion in "magically making it all come together."  Kristie Moore lives in Ronkonkoma, NY with her wonderful husband and two sons.



DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this article is written  and submitted by the writer whose name is stated in the title who provided express consent to the publishing of this material.  This article is not meant to be used to diagnose, treat or advise others about what actions they should take with regard to any medical condition.  No one should undertake or discontinue any treatment as a result of what they read on our blogs. The publisher(s), editors, sponsors or other  "supporting members" of AwarenessforaCure.org are providing a strictly educational service and are not responsible for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific health needs. and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation to any person(s) reading the information in this article or its thread. Readers with medical needs should obtain appropriate professional medical supervision. References are provided for any informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources.

KEYS TO EARLY DETECTION SURPRISINGLY PARALLELS THE FITNESS "BIBLE"

John Graziano is recognized in the Long Island athletic circles as a champion triathlete, a health coach and a published fitness lifestyle writer/columnist. In this feature article, he associates the mind set of PREVENTION and EARLY DETECTION with his philosophies of awareness and foresight prevalent in fitness training which he constantly imparts onto his students... "where the race against TIME is a focal point of both disease prevention and the personal conditioning in sports training."  Today, John Graziano explores the Cancer Prevention lifestyle with the many parallels between his training regimen, the right attitude toward a healthy disciplines and the proactive pursuits to a healthier future.


PROLOGUE
I've seen healthy people lose their battle to cancer because they were blindsided by its surprise appearance. They thought, "It couldn't happen to me... I'm healthy... I eat well, I train well, I do this." The next thing you know, it's too late. Learning from the many experiences from the survivors as well as those who didn't make it, cancer is sneaky and can sometimes surprise you- but there are many cancers that can be predicted, detected or can be sought out ahead of time based on your genetic makeup (genetic screening) or heredity.

In this interview, I can't help to weave in and out of the many similarities between the struggles and the need for staying fit and the where-with-all of keeping cancer away.  For example, taking care of our immune system is a major part of the fitness lifestyle- AND the prevention way of life.  Immunity is an important part of our body designed to keep the bad things away- and keeping this healthy and functioning well is a big part of prevention. (for more on the immune system, visit: IMMUNOLOGY TODAY)

A major influence in our lives is being greatly driven by our ATTITUDE - prompted by what things we truly VALUE. It completely defines who we are that will often determine how we end up.  The commonalities between cancer prevention and fitness training are actually astounding!  When you think about knowing your body, eating healthy foods, keeping away from sugars and fatty foods, staying hydrated, maintaining good sleep and stress free- they're the exact regimen for both studies.

STARTING THE PATH TO WELLNESS
As each passing day brings me closer to 50, the wellness & prevention attitude becomes that much more crucial to my very existence and to my loved ones. When I first started getting into fitness, I was concerned about my future and what was going to happen to me over time? Was I going to be able to be around for three daughters? I started worrying about later on in life, thinking, "Wow. I better do something now before it gets too late. If I don't start thinking about it now, 50 or 60 will look pretty bad - and reversing that physical state would be impossible."

I realized that none of this happens without getting into shape. Getting fit and healthy doesn't happen with a quick push of a button. It all takes time. The reason why it's taking so much time is realizing that you're kicking the crap out of your body. You're basically hurting yourself over years of abuse. Somebody once said to me, "...if you want to lose 30 pounds, it took you 10 years to put it on. You think you can lose it in 10 days? It's not gonna happen."

THE FIGHTER'S MIND SET
Step one is getting to know yourself. Take the high road of recognizing your weaknesses and you're halfway there! Essentially, you need to have a mental attitude to recognize what you've done to yourself so far- and then turning it around with a new plan.

The neglect and reckless disregard for personal care that people put themselves through over time will result in major damage and almost impossible to get over. I was at the point where a horrible diet and lifestyle was next-to-impossible to get over quickly, so I had to do something pretty hard core and pretty fast, and really work strong and stay diligent with it for a while.

Every winter I'd take off, because I worked hard during the season. I'd take off the winter and I'd put on 15 pounds. I was very complacent, and my diet changed dramatically. You realize that each time you do that to your body, it puts a lot of stress on both your body, mentally, and it's harder to get out of that rut again. You think each year it's going to be no problem. The first time it happened, it was easy. The second time, it wasn't so bad.

Embracing a lifestyle and a life plan is like any financial investment.  You have to stay on top of it--  and be prepared for adjustments when necessary. Change your strategy. Do things differently. Taking steps up front, knowing what your goals are, knowing what you're going to have to do, thinking about those things is similar to basically, preventing these disasters.

THINK PREVENTION
Step two is to evaluate and re-assess your daily routine and be proactive in the way you think. Prevention in a nutshell means AVOIDING THE BAD and KEEP AWAY THINGS THAT WILL CAUSE YOU LONG TERM HARM. The most important term that I've learned over the last several years is being ahead of the curve and thinking about preventing the many bad habits that carry risks to my health. Similarly, with all diseases, you have to stay on top of your health to address any potential problems while they are still in a manageable state.  

The expression goes, "one ounce of prevention can create a lifetime of success". Essentially, looking at cancer, I would rather be ahead of the curve by knowing what's coming and what I could do to repair anything that's coming, than to be sitting at a table thinking, "Oh my God, how do I get past this problem, and beat something that's become a major, major problem in my lifetime?" Some cancers are irreversible, or they're at a point where you've already let them go too far that you have a major, major hurdle to get over.

To me, it doesn't make any sense in life to pay attention when you're in the thick of the problem.  Today, we have all the tools and technologies that diagnose and provide us with advance warnings right in front of us. Yet so many take a blind eye to this disease; they still smoke; they still ignore checkups and delay prostate exams and mammograms.  The information is completely available for us to know what we can prevent and how to keep it away. How could you not take advantage of learning what preventative care is, and using it to your advantage?

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CANCER CAUSING FOODS:

According to The Truth About Cancer, (a publication dedicated to ending the cancer pandemic), there's a significant list of foods that are known in the scientific and medical communities that are directly linked to CANCER as well as other health disorders such as heart disease and diabetes.  This list includes: Refined Sugars, Soda & Carbonated Drinks, GMOs (Genetically Modified Foods), Pickled Foods, Farmed Fish, Canned Goods, Grilled Meats and Microwave Popcorn.  Click here for the complete article.

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FEAR: A POWERFUL MOTIVATOR FOR CHANGE
"What are your goals?" As a trainer, I try to get them to tell me more than this. I also ask "Why are you doing this?"  Usually, what motivates people the most is the fear of loss, fear of struggle of lack of personal control.

On the cancer stage, people begin to take cancer seriously because they lost a loved one. Sometimes they take fitness seriously because they've lost somebody or they have a fear of not being there. Like me, I had a fear of not being there for my children when they turned that age to get married and walking them down the aisle. That was a major fear of mine.

I had to take action first, to have a problem resolved before it became a "real" problem. Driving words that I live by, "You can start a plan today.... don't worry about what it took to get here. Don't worry about what you could be later, whether it's healthy or unhealthy. Worry about today. Do something today to make sure that down the road, it's going to take some time but you're going to have success."

BATTLING THE UNPREDICTABLE TRUTH
Cancer's unpredictable and malicious nature is what scares me the most- enough to think two steps ahead of it whenever possible.  As healthy as I think I am, as much as I eat well, as much as I train a lot-- cancer's a different thing.  Cancer DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE... it could affect me as it can affect anybody.., in areas and ways that we least expect. I've seen the healthiest of people get diagnosed. Being a triathlete and staying healthy and eating well is truly a great start- but so is getting regular checkups, screenings or looking into preventative care. What I'm doing today is my investment in my own life.  I don't want any interruptions to that because I wasn't smart enough to take those steps to be cautious for something that can affect me or anybody else.
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JOHN GRAZIANO is a health & fitness columnist for Modern Pain Journal, RejuvenateSolutions.com and is also the host of MPR-TV.  He is an accomplished athlete, a recognized ambassador of weight loss (PJohnnyX.com), the President of Wildwood Warriors (Long Island based triathlon team) and is a dedicated researcher for all pain relief products, services and professional modalities.  John  has dedicated a life of research and education in the fields of fitness and pain relief due to the many physical issues his body has accrued during the many years of training and competition.  He translated this mission into a public crusade to promote and identify the (seemingly) endless array of pain relief solutions available in the healthcare market.

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Additional Articles:

• IMMUNOLOGY AND THE SCIENCE OF SELF-HEALING- By Dr. Jesse Stoff
• IDENTIFYING A WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM AND HOW TO BOOST IT - by: Dr. Jesse Stoff
• CANCER DETECTION 101- By Dr. Robert Bard
• "EARLY DETECTION EARNED ME BETTER TREATMENT OPTIONS" - By Jennifer Hunt (from AFAC Survivor Stories)

DR. JESSE STOFF LAUNCHES AWARENESS FOR A CURE: A LONG ISLAND CANCER SUPPORT RESOURCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 18, 2018- this year marks the 20^th anniversary of Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) - a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Jesse Stoff dedicated to cancer research and the advancement of integrative medicine.   As of early 2016, SIMR kick-started AWARENESS FOR A CURE, a local media-based resource program supporting all Island-based cancer charities.  “With the help of my colleagues in the healthcare and care-giving communities, we produced AFAC to facilitate grant-searches for patients and survivors- and also to assist in the promotion of cancer charities, fundraising events and educational efforts,” states Dr. Stoff.

One of AFAC's partners is BEST ANSWER FOR CANCER (bestanswerforcancer.org)- an international organization of doctors working to shift the cancer paradigm to a more patient-centered treatment approach.  Dr. Stoff carried the same free-resource access and education-based principles into the AFAC blueprint to help orgs' fundraising attendance through social media and mass publishing via web. 

Awareness for a Cure supports all Long Island Cancer
Fundraising groups such as LI2DAY by conducting
media and news coverage, video spotlights and social
media publishing.

AFAC's charity directory details the specific help that they offer the public.  As listed, groups such as the Bone Marrow Foundation, Frankie's Mission, and Andrew McDonough B+Foundation are dedicated to raising money to help fund specific cancer research or provide financial help to patients & families.  Meanwhile, the Susan Satriano Memorial Scholarship Foundation gives out $$ to children whose parents may have been stricken with cancer.

One of the top headliners of "Awareness News" is LI2DAY (www.li2daywalk.org) - producers of breast cancer walks on Long Island.  Since 2003, founder Ginny Salerno has been organizing multi-day walks all over Long Island where 100% of the funds raised by walkers would stay on Long Island to be distributed by grassroots breast cancer service & support organizations. With support from local politicians and businesses, Breast Cancer Walks have raised over $6 million dollars in 14 years.

AWARENESS IN THE NEWS

In a 2017 on-air interview at WBAB/WBLI, Dr. Stoff was featured as one of Long Island's cancer crusaders and discussed the ways that charities are helping the recently diagnosed.  To represent this, guest speaker Jaime LaMarca (Patient Access Manager of the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society) joined the show. “I visit hospitals and oncology offices to raise awareness about LLS and what we can do to help”, says Ms. LaMarca. “When a patient is first diagnosed, they are thrown into a world they certainly don’t want to be in. An easily accessible support system is really important for (any) patient- and as a social worker, it’s a passion of mine to bring support, education and offer financial assistance!”

Dr. Jesse Stoff has appeared in countless TV and Radio
News broadcasts about his expertise in Onco-Immunology
and his active role in the philanthropic society.

AFAC also produces “Survivor Stories”- a mini-biography video series presenting inspirational role models who escaped the deadly disease.  One of the many stories include Rachel Klein - a Long Island mom with a then-to-now perspective of what it was like to first get diagnosed.  With the help of foundations like LLS, she received help to "stay in the fight" and regain her quality of life for years to come.

Publishers of AFAC News promotes the achievements of local cancer orgs.  “By listing & cataloguing grants, publishing fundraiser videos and posting the charity events all over social media, we have become advocates of the charities and a true ally to patients and survivors!”, states Laurel Muckey, AFAC co-editor.

To date, Dr. Jesse Stoff continues to pursue his many philanthropic projects.  He is also involved in writing and publishing countless articles and books about cancer & wellness while working full-time as the medical director and head onco-immunologist at the Integrative Medicine of NY in Westbury, Long Island (integrativemedicineofny.com). 

Media contact: 516-620-3535

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