Fighting the C Word: 4 Questions You Should Be Asking About Breast Cancer Part 1

It is that time of year again. The pink banners are waving strong, the walks are planned, the football players are dressed. Yes, breast cancer awareness month is upon us.

Ask the Tough Questions

Cancer has the second highest mortality rate in the United States behind heart disease and breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in women. Over the past decade, many organizations have done a fabulous job in raising hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer treatment, research, and awareness. I do applaud the millions of people who have taken the time and spent the energy towards these heart felt causes. However, over the next four weeks I am going to ask some brutally honest questions that may challenge many of your beliefs and current understanding in order to bring to light an increased understanding of breast cancer and the restoration of health.

We start with a simple question: Have we seen cancer rates decrease in the past 10 or 20 years? The answer is a resounding no. Cancer rates continue to rise even with the millions of dollars that are spent on research and treatment.

This simple answer leads to more difficult questions: Where are we spending our money when it comes to cancer research and treatment? If we are spending more and more money on research, treatment, and awareness, why are the cancer rates not only not decreasing but INCREASING?

Over this month, I invite you to follow me through four fundamental discussion points based on our current societal understanding of cancer. Ask yourself what rings true and what could be improved upon. Shall we…?

Discussion Point 1: Genes vs. Environment

Every day in practice, I hear the argument that our health challenges are genetic. Recently there was a famous celebrity who had both breasts removed because she tested positive for one of the breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). News flash:  EVERYONE has the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It only increases the risk of breast cancer if the gene has an abnormal mutation and accounts for less than 10% of all breast cancer cases. (Straight from Breastcancer.org) Again, it only increases the RISK; it is not a death sentence. There are many women who inherit an abnormal breast cancer gene and never develop breast cancer. What is my point? Our society has placed way too high an emphasis on our genes, which we have no control over. This creates a victim mentality. I am here to dispel this myth and let you know that you have more control over your health than you may have every imagined. And you do NOT have to cut off your breasts for that control. 

Genes are a blueprint -
it's all in how your body reads them

Our genes are nothing but a blueprint, a plan to follow.  It would be ridiculous to believe that a building springs up out of a blueprint without a coordinated team of architects, contractors, and construction crews. This team also knows what type of building is optimal for different environments, can adjust the blueprint and construct appropriately. Your body works in much the same way. Your genes map the blueprint for many different environmental conditions (i.e. hot, cold, food surplus/deficiency, joy, and fear) Cancer is only correlated with stressful environmental conditions (i.e. toxic and excessive food, poor body movement, stinking thinking). It is not correlated with abnormal gene mutation. You may have the highest number of gene mutations out of anyone on earth, but if you are always providing your body with a healthy environment and quality building material, than it will never read the so called cancer genes and you will never develop cancer. What does this mean? You, more than anyone else, are responsible for your health or lack thereof.

What do I do?

The good news is that your body is constantly striving towards health and the minute you decide to start placing your body in a healthy environment is the minute that you will begin to heal, whether you have a cancer diagnosis or just wish to prevent it.

Dr. Dan’s Do-It-Daily Tips:

Move your body! You are designed to move. I get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Even a brisk walk can make a huge impact. Small steps over time equals BIG results. Get a partner and get moving.

For the past 20 years, our answer to cancer has been to throw money at the problem with unwavering commitment to reducing cancer rates. We are often reminded that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. This unwillingness to change has only led to more cancer, decreased quality of life, and death. It is time for you and I to take full responsibility for our health as an individual. As a society, we must start asking better questions to get the answer we are looking for - better health.  It’s not an understatement to say lives depend on it.

Check back next week for our second discussion point - Prevention vs. Early Detection - and another Dr. Dan's Do-It-Daily Tip.

Dr. Dan Turo is the owner and chiropractor of Turo Family Chiropractic located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. Follow him on facebook and twitter.