I am a breast cancer survivor, a medical professional, and a fierce advocate for ongoing post-treatment diagnostics for the prevention and timely detection of recurrence.

During the active phases of my treatment for breast cancer (ILC right) and DCIS left) and now in my recovery, my nursing experience led me to compare and contrast, through research, the contradicting information given by my medical providers regarding my diagnosis and treatment options, clinically proven alternatives, and managing my health to subsequently prevent recurrence.

Unfortunately, my oncology team provided no information on the latter subject and very little else otherwise that would lead me to restoring my energy, health, cognitive function and more.

My goal forward is to make exceptionally educated, not fear-based, decisions and choices for my life and health. I want to live to at least 100 years old and do so with strength, style, grace and confidence.

And cancer-free.

Understanding The True Risk Of Recurrence

A breast cancer survivor needs adequate, regimented post-treatment diagnostics throughout their life to monitor for recurrence.

This does save lives, and otherwise, substantial length of days.

In my research, I discovered a very intriguing and concerning characteristic of cancer cells observed both during and after chemotherapy and radiation which is not routinely discussed with breast cancer patients: that is that fragmented lingering DNA particles from (treated) and dying cancer cells move into the bloodstream and lymphatic system and lie dormant in the body, with great potential to become activated anytime later from diverse sources of persistent and excess inflammation such as stress, dehydration, cell starvation (not enough nutrients), lack of oxygen to organs and organ systems, and other internal states that hinder or halt the body in regenerating and restoring itself. I do not address external factors in this article.

This information alone begs the need for drastic changes in the current standard of care for recurrence prevention for breast cancer survivors.

The Main Deterrence To Cancer-Free Recovery

The National Cancer Care Network, (NCCN) which steers current oncology guidelines, recommends against routine and continuous monitoring for breast cancer recurrence. Under the influence of this entity’s stance on women’s health, many lives globally have been and continue to be lost.

This is a major failure of the oncological community treating breast cancer.

Conversely, NCCN propagates the idea that “the stress of undergoing ‘unnecessary scans’ and (other diagnostics)” for post-treatment breast cancer patients outweighs the benefit of recurrence-detection focused testing and promotes the idea that “surveillance does not increase survival time.” I disagree. Read here.

If this were actually the case, why are we inundated with the idea that a recurrence is inevitable and expected, but not then followed up on to judiciously detect? (this mindset guides the primary diagnosis and our care plans). Again, if so, why are we led to believe that such aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and aromatase inhibitors are actually as widely clinically successful as touted, if we are left with possible residual disease that will not be monitored until it has progressed significantly, despite treatments?

2023 NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer (pg. 23)
On screening for metastases:
“In the absence of clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of recurrent disease, there is no indication for laboratory or imaging studies for metastases screening.”

See this podcast giving NCCN guideline recommendation reasoning for not monitoring most survivors for recurrence. Please note that the statement “there is no clinical evidence for” means that little to no purposeful actions have been taken by NCCN, ASCO or other major oncological entities to aggressively pilot widespread clinical trials in which large, diverse groups of survivors are monitored for recurrence through systematic, long-term monitoring using diagnostic imaging and labs.

This is the problem. The medical community focuses primarily on using clinical data to create treatment plans, but if there is not enough stable and trustworthy clinical data (obtained through extensive research/trials and unbiased, non profit-minded clinicians who are not associated with Big Pharma), then a solid “recommendation” to not routinely follow clinically after treatment periods cannot be made.

This action was first necessary beginning in the early 1970’s (investigate further to see the 1950’s time period where cases began to markedly increase) when breast cancer cases began to substantially rise, according to researched data. Large scale global trials must be commissioned today, to make real strides in saving women’s lives.

The result would unequivocally catapult change, but inevitably also come with the pervasive argument of cost and loss of revenue from halting and preventing the mass cases of metastases we are seeing in most of the world. More on the issue of cost here.

Here are two statements (my third article on recurrence prevention will relay more) from a 2015 PubMed article addressing the concerns for the need for post-treatment diagnostics to catch early metastasis: (the first paragraph states the current standard).

“Current post-treatment surveillance guidelines for patients with treated breast cancer do not recommend intensive surveillance, such as routine chest radiography, bone scans, or laboratory tests, to evaluate distant recurrence or metastatic diseases.”

“Because isolated recurrences are associated with distant metastasis and/or poor outcome, early detection and targeted treatment for recurrences are critical to improve patient outcome.”

This article written in 2004 published in The Journal Of the National Cancer Institute, (focusing for that piece on mammograms) notes even then that the “absence of screening was associated with a markedly increased risk of late-stage disease among women with invasive breast cancer” and that “problems in detection account for 40% of the late-stage cases.”

This information sounds very scary and elicits a feeling of powerlessness in our ability to take control of our health and the quality and length of our lives, however, we can take charge of our lives and health through consciously employing even just a few tools available to us.

Effective, Natural Ways To Prevent Recurrence

Breast cancer post-treatment plans and teaching are almost non-existent. Survivors are left to investigate the realities of and alternatives for their diagnoses independent of clinical guidance. We need concrete information that will help us advocate for ourselves and know our options in preventing recurrence.

Powerful supplements are available, healing mindsets (new conscious way of living and thinking which actually produce hormone functions and neurotransmitter synapses that heal disease states in the body), and many other potent, successful ways of living and being that achieve renewed health and wellness. More importantly, that work to prevent (breast) cancer recurrence.

A first priority, and the most profound route to wellness and healing (which also create an marked absence of disease) is obtaining adequate sleep and rest. Read my associated article here on this topic.

Below is an easy to read list of simple tools to employ highlighting most of the options available in post-treatment scans and labs to ensure the following:

• a) that the treatment(s) you endured show drastic reduction or eradication of disease.
• b) you are educated on your alternatives to prevention and prevention of recurrence.
• c) that your providers continue to order everything available and appropriate for you (3D mammogram, MRI, PET should be a yearly standard) in your years of recovery to monitor your progressive healing and early detection of any regrowth.

Arm Yourself Against Breast Cancer Recurrence

1. Vital diagnostics available

• Thorough hands on exam (clinical breast exam). Every follow up visit. Educate yourself on the expected thorough details of this exam.
• 3D Mammogram (if you did not receive a bilateral mastectomy) every 6 months first year after treatment ends, at least yearly, thereafter. Read here on the newest 3D/4D mammograms.
• Metabolic PET/CT-fdg (yearly) (see here) or
• MRI with contrast (detects cancerous tissue vs. normal tissue, but overall results, in most cases, inferior to PET) or
• CT with contrast (particularly highlights bone structure/changes and some soft tissue but, overall results, in most cases, inferior to PET, alone. MPET/CT is most-efficient.)
• liquid biopsies (ct-dna) yearly or upon the presence of new symptoms. (Because this is just emerging as a (soundly proven) diagnostic tool, few clinical studies recommending timeline protocols (how often to test) are available, but given the nature of discreet cancer cells, it is prudent to request yearly. See here to learn how to pay out of pocket for this test. This company is now contracted with MD Anderson for clinical trials for this powerful diagnostic tool.
• tumor markers and hormone levels (estradiol, FSH/LH etc.) best is every 3–4 months after treatment ends (and in some cases, some labs will be required during chemotherapy). These likely will migrate to every 6 months in the second to third year after treatment ends.
• Bone density (every 2 years)
• Bone scan with contrast (yearly is best preventative, but this is not standard, nor encouraged at all, without symptoms that confirm metastasis, even prior to scan.)

A “wait and see” attitude is fatal to many women. Allowing late symptoms to occur before scheduling diagnostics to confirm extensive or uncontrollable regrowth is never prudent or conducive to preservation of life. In reality, not judiciously monitoring the body and care with scans and labs in the recovery years can inevitably result in any regrowth of cancer taking control.

Breast cancer survivors must stay vehemently pro-active in reporting every new symptom or pain that cannot be explained by short term illness (viruses, colds, the flu etc.) or injury. Even in the presence of these incidents, any persistent pain or symptom needs to be addressed and investigated with thorough and effective diagnostics.

Be tenacious about your survival.

Supplements (in high levels) that act as aromatase inhibitors or have potent anti-cancer properties

2. Each of the following supplements has extensive research supporting their individual powerful anti-tumor functions.

• Melatonin; and read here.
• CoQ10; and read here and here
• Tumeric and read here
• Ashwaganda and read here
• DIM and read here and here
• Vitamin C and here
• Vitamin D and here
• Vitamin E and here
• Whole plant CBD: media has taken over in avidly suppressing the truth of the miraculous effects of taking CBD, and especially with CBG, and using RSO (contains THC). Researching this phenomenal plant is well worth your time. See Charlotte’s Web.
• European mistletoe and here; this article shows how to obtain it in supplements.

3. Mindsets (redirected thought patterns) that establish healing

You are created to live a long, healthy, life.

• No weapon formed against you will prosper. You have armour at your disposal.
• Your body is capable of healing itself and can be spoken to do so, each organ and organ system
• You can think yourself well, whole and fulfilled. Life begins and ends with the mind.
• Expect healing, because it is yours to begin with. We must take this action of expectation with utmost seriousness and implement ferociously.
• Keep a vibrant, open mind. This is the beginning step to changing your cells and disease processes in the body. See podcasts such as this one to acclimate to a new way of thinking about living to old age, despite your diagnosis.
• Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.

4. Deep breathing exercises: adequate oxygen causes cancer cell death. This topic needs more research on the writer’s part and in clinical studies, but it’s also common sense to note that increased regular oxygenation in the body increases health and healing.

5. Fasting either weekly or just from dinner to breakfast shows a significant improvement in insulin levels, which increases the body’s resistance to disease. It is linked strongly to preventing cancer, both primary and secondary (recurrence).

Grounding: This is a simple, profound way of promoting healing and preventing (breast) cancer recurrence. Note, that to receive best advantage of this technique, 30–60 minutes daily is recommended. It is also a wonderful way to renew peace to the mind and the body.

To summarize, the majority of breast cancer survivors are not adequately educated by their oncology team of the real risks for recurrence and are not informed of what tests can and should be ordered routinely to monitor for recurrence, which ultimately would save many lives. The oncology field’s gross neglect and resistance toward monitoring breast cancer recurrence has been and continues to be fundamental in creating an environment of that recurrence through neglecting to prioritize our lives with necessary preventative diagnostics.

In closing, I suggest that breast cancer patients be prepared to face strong resistance from their oncology team in introducing any demand for post-treatment diagnostics and especially alternative (non-Western medicine) treatment choices. The cancer care system is not set up to efficiently observe, monitor and track disease recurrence. We must be be our own advocates in obtaining and implementing safer, Big Pharma-free alternatives to our health and especially in standing firm in our right to have thorough, routine scans and labs that will preserve our health and lives.

We need more answers and follow through if we are to effectively fight against recurrence-related deaths.

If this information is helpful to you, please see my first article on preventing breast cancer recurrence.

The post Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence appeared first on Medika Life.

Everything in life can be considered a marathon: motherhood, career, life. You name it, it’s probably a marathon.

If you’ve ever trained for a race, you can appreciate the drudgery of getting your body for the mileage and strain. Or appreciate the satisfaction it brings to run further and longer than you’ve ever been able to do before.

As a runner I know a marathon means months of training. It’s honing your nutrition and water intake. It means a lot of time on your feet moving forward. It’s injury, adaptation, self-care, and a mental game. It’s can alter your life.

But the same could also be said of cancer. It’s a freaking marathon of the worst kind because it’s going to be years before you’ll see the finish line.

Actually, I thought I was going to see the finish line much sooner than I thought the day that I almost died in the middle of treatment at the health center, but that’s a story for another day.

Cancer sucks. It just does. There are good days, there are bad days, there are really bad days. Most days are just “meh.” I don’t feel bad, but also don’t feel well. I’m just here.

What IS That?

I’ve been in a hell of a mood the last few days because I know that my cancerversary is coming up. That’s the day that I was diagnosed with HER2+, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. February 3rd. It’s a day that I’ll not likely forget. It’s seared in my memory.

Today is the one year anniversary of when I found the lump. One year ago I finished a run on the treadmill, just like I did this afternoon.

It was an ordinary day. I was busy running errands and packing for a family trip. I had a meeting in the evening for my then third grader. My husband was in a million meetings and working late nights. It was your typical Wednesday. Until it wasn’t.

After I finished my run, I took a shower and that’s when I found it. The hard lump, the size of a pea, just to the left of my armpit.

My first thought was, “What is that? Is that a lymph node?” And then I realized it was too close to my breast to be the lymph node. After further exploration, it felt like the hard nodules I had when I was nursing my babies and suffering from mastitis. But this time, I didn’t have flu-like symptoms nor was I nursing any babies. The lump didn’t make sense, except for the possibility of it being cancer.

I was hoping I was imagining things. I kept hoping that it would resolve itself. I kept hoping that it would go away. But because I couldn’t help myself, I kept checking. Yep, still there. There was a lump in my right breast and I would need to get it checked by the doctor.

I’m not proud of myself, but I denied the possibility of cancer. I didn’t call the doctor. I didn’t get it checked. Well, not right away. And that was stupid.

I was getting ready to take my family away for a week of fun. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of their fun and our memories, so I checked the lump every day and I denied the possibility of cancer.

I was talking myself out of going to the doctor when I texted a friend about which doctor to see. After a few back and forth texts, she stopped texting and flat out called me and said, “What’s going on?”

She made me confront my fears and refused to let me avoid calling the doctor. So while we were on the phone I made an online appointment.

Miraculously, he had an appointment open three days later and the rest, as they say, is history.

I can’t complain. My doctor took my concerns seriously and made an appointment for me to have a mammogram and an ultrasound. Both were inconclusive and they scheduled a biopsy the same day.

I’m sorry, you have cancer

Within five days of my appointment, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

For the last year, my days have been filled with appointments, surgeries, treatments, pain, fatigue, fear, and anger.

I’m so tired right now. So tired and anxious about the future.

I finished chemotherapy at the end of June and radiation at the end of July. My friends want to celebrate. Some of them started congratulating me when I finished chemotherapy, but I wasn’t done with treatment. I wasn’t ready to celebrate. I’m still not.

I am still in active treatment through March. Most have forgotten that I’m still going in every three weeks for an infusion to focus on the HER2+ cancer cells.

It’s easy to forget. I can see why. My hair has grown back. I’ve started running more seriously again. I’ve started cooking dinners again.

From the outside looking in, it looks like I’m doing well.

But I’m not. I’m dreading my cancerversary. Because it means that I really do have cancer. It’s not a dream.

I’m dreading that I will still be in treatment on my first cancerversary. It means that it’s harder to see the finish line.

This has been the worst marathon and I have another four years of it.

Little Successes

There have been little successes along the way.

Well, maybe not so little.

Because my friend pushed me to see a doctor we caught cancer early. Surgery removed the cancer with clear margins and showed that it had not traveled to my lymph nodes.

After a giant hiccup in my treatment where a medication allergy almost killed me, we were able to switch chemotherapy drugs and I finished chemotherapy with no added complication other than the usual hair loss, fatigue, and chemo brain.

Radiation treatment went smoothly.

And now, I have four more treatments left. FOUR.

Then four more years with a daily pill to address the ER+ cells.

If I squint really hard, I can see the finish line.

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