Breast Screening update

I've had a few inquiries since the Canadian National Breast Cancer Screening Study was published in the British Medical Journal, my colleague and mentor Sat Dharam Kaur has shared the commentary on the study as well as her breast screening recommendations, please email :satdharamkaur@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the healthy breast ezine mailing list. 

I agree with her recommendations taking into consideration each persons own unique clinical history. If you are interested in having a baseline thermograph taken The Pear Tree is hosting a clinic on June 10th please inquire with: www.medthermonline.com for more information. 

From Dr. Kaur's Ezine: 

         If you didn't see it, the results of the Canadian National Breast Cancer Screening Study were published in the British Medical Journal on Feb 10, 2014. This important study of almost 90,000 women ages 40-59 from across Canada revealed that the number of women who died from breast cancer was the same whether women received screening mammograms annually for 5 years or had annual physical breast exams alone. During the five-year screening period, 666 invasive breast cancers were diagnosed in the women who were screened using mammography, while 524 were found in those receiving physical breast exams. Both groups received the usual medical treatment for breast cancer. Out of all of these women, 180 in the screening mammogram group and 171 of the women in the physical exam group died of breast cancer during the 25 year follow-up period. The conclusion - early detection through mammography did not reduce deaths due to breast cancer. So what are we to do?

Dr. Kaur's Guidelines for Screening

1. Women over 20 years of age should practice monthly breast self-exams

2. All women over 20 years of age and especially women with a family history of breast cancer should have an annual clinical breast exam

3. If you are over 20 and under 50, have an annual screening thermogram. Use mammogram, ultrasound, MRI and/or biopsy to explore any irregular thermogram results

4.  If you: a) have a strong family history of breast cancer; b) have been on the birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy for over 5 years; c) or have other increased risk factors - have an annual thermogram, ultrasound, MRI and clinical breast exam. Use mammography when necessary to confirm a diagnosis or if there is a lump.

5. If you are over 50, have an annual thermogram, clinical breast exam and use mammography, ultrasound, MRI and biopsy as needed if you discover a lump

Click here for more guidelines for breast cancer screening. 

Chicken Soup for your Gut!

The possibility of food sensitivities being the cause of digestive distress is something we naturopathic doctors have focused on for years. When helping a patient, or the parent of a pediatric patient, discover the underlying cause of any ailment or disease, we usually look to nutrition and the function of the digestive system for clues. The more we learn about pro-biotics and the mind body connection, the easier it is to illustrate that a “gut feeling” or “butterflies in the stomach”. Colloquialisms such as these  have been drawing the connection between intestinal and mental health, for generations. This is a connection that science is helping to further define as research continues in the area of gastrointestinal influences on other body systems, such as immunity and the central nervous system.

If you follow this column and those written by my naturopathic colleagues you’ll know that food sensitivities can account for a myriad of symptoms; IBS, reflux, headaches, eczema, joint pain, depression, ADD, etc. Once a food sensitivity is identified and eliminated, improvement can be seen as early as the next 72 hours, while in some cases it can take weeks or months to really see a reversal of symptoms. To identify food reactions, several different routes may be taken, your ND may have you keep a diet diary, do an elimination diet, or take blood samples to test your immunoglobulin levels in response to common food allergens.

There are many nutritional and herbal supplements available to help support the recovery of the gastro-intestinal tract once you have successfully identified and eliminated culprit foods. Some foods are easier to digest and generally better tolerated by the majority of the population, traditional bone broth is one such well tolerated “medicinal food”. Most traditional cultures use chicken broth as a base for their staple comfort and/or celebratory soup. Acadian Fricot, Russian Borscht, motzah ball soup, wanton soup, etc are some well known examples. Based on the work of nutritional healers such as Dr. Sidney Hass’ and Elaine Gottschall Specific carbohydrate diet, Sally Fallon’s Nurishing traditions, and Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mc Bride’s Gut and Psychology syndrome bone broth has recently made a comeback, and has re-gained the status of somewhat of a super food in nutritional medicine circles.

Simmering bones for a long duration at a low temperature helps to release minerals from the bones, gelatin from the bones and connective tissues, and possibly even immune factors from the inner marrow of the bone. The gelatin is especially important in terms of gastrointestinal healing and rejuvenation. The released nutritional factors help to soothe inflammation and re-build the inner lining of the digestive tract. During a time of dietary elimination and healing it is advisable to include bone broth as a staple in your nutritional plan, one cup taken three times per day with meals. It can also be taken as a supplement during times of acute illness or recovery from illness.

Adding bone broth to your winter diet, particularly if you suffer from any digestive complaints, is something I would recommend for anyone who is not meat sensitive. If you need help to sort out what is the underlying cause of your individual digestive disease or discomfort, please call me to book an appointment.

Chicken Bone Broth

Ingredients:

• 2-3 organic or naturally rise chicken carcasses( available from; Springbrook farms, dolma food, Bunnet farms)
• Water to cover the carcasses
• 8-10 peppercorns
• 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• Herbs/ spices to taste

Instructions

• Simmer for 2-3 hours
• Strain and discard bones and peppercorns
• Do no skim fat.
• Drink warm or at room temperature as is, or use as a base for soup or other dishes.
• Enjoy!