2011 - CRAAB

CRAAB!
Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer!
Vol. 13, No. 2 • Spring/Summer 2011
Siena Women’s Basketball
and CRAAB!
T
he partnership between Siena Women’s Basketball and CRAAB! is now in
its 11th year. In 1999, Coach Gina Castelli approached the late Patricia Brown,
Ph.D., a professor of biology at Siena College and a founder and president of
CRAAB!, about collaborating on a breast cancer awareness event at one of
her team’s home games. From Professor Brown and CRAAB!, Coach Castelli
learned about the issues surrounding the epidemic and wanted to spread that
knowledge to others, especially young women. This led to the annual Breast
Cancer Awareness Basketball Game hosted by the Siena Saints Women’s Team
and CRAAB! This event has become an annual highlight for the Saints and
CRAAB! It has evolved over the years to include more community partners,
displays, raffles, education tables and spectators who show their support by
wearing pink. Before tip-off, Siena recognizes local breast cancer survivors.
The Pink Zone Reception celebrates the 11th Anniversary of the Breast Cancer
Awareness Basketball Game.
Continued on page 6.
CRAAB! Receives
$30,000 grant from
NENY Affiliate of
Komen for the Cure
C
RAAB! has received another
$30,000 grant to provide
“REAP the Benefits II” – the
continuation of a comprehensive
program of education, awareness
and support services that helps
sustain survivors as they move
through stages of their recovery
from diagnosis to post-treatment
care.
For education we will provide:
1. A “Recent Research”
newsletter column that
summarizes up-to-date research
findings and their implications.
2. “Risk Reduction education
programs and brochures” for
college students and community
groups.
Continued on page 11
CRAAB!
Barbara Woodruff (left), Jude Lilly and Siena team member Lilly Grenci get a
kick out of being escorted by Siena’s mascot, Bernie the St. Bernard.
125 Wolf Road, Suite 124
Albany, NY 12205
518-435-1055
518-435-1245 Fax
craab@nycap.rr.com
www.craab.org
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2011 by Capital
Region Action Against Breast Cancer!, Albany, NY
Book Review
President’s
Corner
Overdiagnosed:
Relevant to our work in CRAAB!, Dr. Welch and his
colleagues take on the problem of the medical profession
looking harder for breast cancer, resulting in overdiagnosis
leading to overtreatment. Welch believes mammography
does help some women avoid a breast cancer death, but that
outcome is rare. “Mammography leads more women to have
lumpectomies, mastectomies, radiation, and chemotherapy.”
by Dr. H. Gilbert Welch,
He calculates that 2,500 50-year-old women would need
Dr. Lisa Schwartz
to be screened for 10 years in order to help one avoid one
and Dr. Steven Woloshin
breast cancer death. For the remaining 2,499, Welch notes
that nearly half would have an abnormal mammogram over
Published by Beacon Press,
that period and would then needlessly worry about cancer.
Boston in 2011
Half of those would have a biopsy; and between 5 and 15 of
Reviewed by Wanda Burch,
those would be overdiagnosed and receive surgery, radiation
CRAAB! Board Member
and/or chemotherapy for a cancer that was never going to
bother them.
n a new book, Overdiagnosed:
He cites the testimony of Iona Heath, a physician who is
Making People Sick in the
also
president of the Royal College of General Practitioners,
Pursuit of Health, Dartmouth
who personally “cheerfully” declines to be
researchers and physicians
screened because she questions the
H. Gilbert Welch,
motivation behind the push for the
Lisa Schwartz and
The
early detection of breast cancer. She
Steven Woloshin argue that the medical
detection
of
understands the terror and the
establishment’s conventional “wisdom” of
horror of the disease because she
abnormalities in people
early diagnosis and treatment as the key to
has seen women die from it; but
keeping people healthy actually does the
who may never develop
she also understands how small
opposite. Overdiagnosis, in the opinion
is the chance that a mammogram
symptoms
leads
to
treatment
of Welch et al, can harm patients, create
will change the outcome. Even
a cascade of personal problems related
for those who cannot benefit
more
importantly she understands
to unnecessary surgery, treatment, and
from
it
and
who
may,
that
real
harm can be done as
depression – as well as add to society’s
a
result
of
a false positive. Her
in fact, be harmed
escalating health care costs.
main
worry,
Welch notes, is that
This book provides examples of lowering
by it.”
she
has
made
the
decision “not to
over time the target levels for blood pressure,
pursue
mammography
on the basis of
cholesterol, PSA and other test ranges formerly
Making People Sick in the
Pursuit of Health
I
“
considered “healthy.” These lower target levels have,
misleadingly, increased the number of people classified as
having a particular condition. He notes that, while target
guidelines are set by panels of experts, those experts
have been influenced by personal biases and, sometimes,
monetary incentives from drug-makers.
At the same time that target guidelines have been
lowered, the use of scanning and other detection devices
to find abnormalities has increased. For example, since
the early 1990s, the Medicare per capita use of head scans
has doubled, the rates of abdominal scans have tripled,
chest scans quintupled, brain MRI rates quadrupled, while
controversy has raged over the viability of mammograms.
New biopsy methods for detecting prostate cancer
– involving more sampling sites – has increased the
number of benign ‘false-positive’ diagnoses, contributing to
unnecessary treatment and devastating side effects from that
treatment. www.craab.org
Continued on page 11.
CRAAB! OFFICERS and
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS for 2010-2011
by Joan Sheehan
M
any years ago when I was diagnosed, axillary lymph
node dissection (ALND) “was a recognized and
accepted component of breast cancer surgery,” to
quote Recent Research columnist Jessica Werder, M.P.H.
The CRAAB! Board and newsletter editor specifically asked
Jess to focus on a recent study on ALND in her column
on page 8. We wanted to make sure our readers had an
understandable and scientifically accurate analysis of
this important study. Jess goes to the primary source and
analyzes the actual biomedical study, not just news coverage
of it. CRAAB! is fortunate to be able to draw upon her
expertise.
As a survivor who had 21 lymph nodes removed that
were all found to be clear of cancer cells, learning of the
study certainly gave me pause. Reflecting on my experience,
I realized that it was six months after surgery that I had
developed the lymphedema which became my constant
reminder of the cancer I had survived. Over the intervening
years, I have met so many women and men who have had
to face healthcare obstacles, disfigurement, discomfort,
infections and negative self image as we banded together to
find the right treatment to alleviate this life-long condition.
Today, the preferred treatment protocol, Complex
Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP), is more readily
available than it was, but it can still be out of reach for
those living with lymphedema in rural areas or who have
Cleaning
for a
Reason:
President......................................................................... Joan Sheehan
Vice President........................................................................Kim Baker
Secretary............................................................................Michelle Ray
Treasurer..........................................................................Sally Heritage
Board Members................................... Wanda Burch, Francine Frank,
Brenda Ginardi, Nancy Guest,
Janet Hotis, Claudia Longo, Diana Sponable
Staff:
Newsletter Editor................................................................ Cara Anaam
Office Manager..............................................................Deb Marchesini
Liaison to NYSBCN.................................................... Margaret Roberts
Outreach/Program Coordinator............................... Margaret Roberts
Newsletter design & layout by Rogers Design
Spring/Summer 2011
health insurance difficulties. CDP consists
of the gentle lymphatic massage known as
manual lymph drainage, compression using
low stretch bandages and daytime compression
garments, exercise and meticulous skin care. I
am grateful for the exercises I learned in a class
CRAAB! provides called “Healthy Steps” that
keep lymphatic pathways open and my condition
manageable.
It would have been great to have had Sentinel
Node Biopsy available at the time of my surgery as
I probably would have been spared lymphedema,
but there is no satisfaction in playing the “what if ”
game; I prefer to channel my energies in positive
ways. I am very pleased that “this study may have
implications for the quality of life for many potential
survivors” to quote Jess again. We can only go
forward!
Spring/Summer 2011
Pink Zone Siena Women’s Basketball Game
This year the Pink Zone game was remarkable
for several reasons. We exceeded all fundraising
goals set by the steering committee allowing
us to extend our exercise classes, among other
programs. Many survivors and supporters braved
the worst storm of the winter to get to Siena.
Miraculously the gym filled up with students,
loyal fans, family members of the survivors,
and many sponsors of the event undeterred by
the storm to honor survivorship. Please enjoy
pages 1, 6, 7, 10 and 12, which are dedicated to
this event. On April 10, I was joined by Sally
Continued on page 5.
I
f you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy,
please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service
that provides FREE housecleaning – once per month for 4
months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign
up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.
Cleaning for a Reason (http://www.cleaningforareason.org/)
will have a participating maid service in her zip code area
arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire
USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.
It’s our job to pass the word and let them know that there are
people out there who care. Be a blessing to someone and
pass this information along.
craab@nycap.rr.com
From
This
Nurse’s
Perspective:
by Kim Baker, M.S., R.N.,
CRAAB! Vice President
because she gives a piece of herself whenever she does
anything, and that her friend should feel special when they
do spend time together, because she is choosing to give her
one of her “spoons.”
Sometimes, more than anything, empathy with
understanding is the best treatment of all.
From This Nurse’s Perspective continued.
Diet supplementation with iron and vitamins
The Difference
between Fatigue
and Tiredness
Antidepressants
1. National Cancer Institute. Pathogenesis of fatigue. Retrieved
April 14, 2011. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/
supportivecare/fatigue/HealthProfessional/page2
Psychostimulants that can give a sense of wellbeing, decrease fatigue and increase appetite
Alternative treatments include:
Exercise and walking
President’s Corner continued.
Meeting with a therapist to address stress, fear and
coping mechanisms
M
Fatigue-causing Factors:
any people with cancer experience persistent
fatigue and exhaustion from both the disease
and their treatment. Some doctors estimate
that 9 out of 10 people experience some fatigue during
treatment. Fatigue from treatment can appear suddenly
and can be overwhelming.
2. Anemia caused by the cancer, cancer treatment,
or other medical causes.
3. Nutrition factors and dehydration related to
changes in the body’s ability to process food
normally, an increased need by the body for
energy and/or a decrease in the amount of food
or fluids consumed.
4. Sleep disorders and changes in rest and
relaxation habits.
5. Psychological factors including depression,
anxiety and emotional distress.
With the exception of chemotherapy-induced
anemia, the causes of fatigue in people with cancer
are especially challenging to diagnose and not well
understood; additionally, each individual may experience
multiple possible causes of fatigue simultaneously.
There is evidence that suggests, particularly in women
with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer, that
fatigue is associated with markers of increased immune
inflammatory activity. When fatigued individuals with a
history of breast cancer are compared with breast cancer
survivors without fatigue, different patterns of immune
activity emerge, and, although the precise relationships
– and the clinical meaning of those relationships – are
not yet known, increased cytokines (small cell-signaling
protein molecules used in intercellular communication)
likely contribute to the symptoms of fatigue, and
lethargy.1
www.craab.org
Massage and acupuncture
1.Cancer treatment (including radiation,
chemotherapy and biological therapies) and
medications to treat pain and other associated
conditions.
In common speech, fatigue is often confused with
tiredness, but the two are not the same. Tiredness
happens to everyone. It is an expected feeling after
certain activities or at the end of the day. Fatigue is a
daily lack of energy; an unusual or excessive wholebody tiredness. It can be acute (lasting a month or less)
or chronic (lasting from one month to six months or
longer). Unlike tiredness, rest doesn’t ease fatigue and
it can last for months after treatment ends. Fatigue can
prevent a person from functioning normally, limiting
social activities and impacting a person’s quality of life.
6. Decline in physical condition, inactivity, loss
of strength and muscle coordination.
7. Pain and other medical conditions.
Since the causes of fatigue specifically related to
cancer are often difficult to determine, treatment is
frequently directed at identifying specific and potentially
reversible correlated symptoms, as in the following
symptom-related treatments:
Adjusting the dosages of pain medications
Receiving red blood cell transfusions or blood
cell growth factors
Heritage, Margaret Roberts and Cara Anaam at the inspiring
banquet to celebrate the Siena team’s accomplishments and
honor the three graduating seniors, and where we accepted
a ceremonial check. Many, many thanks to all who made it
possible!
Yoga, tai chi, and meditation
Spring/Summer 2011
I
’d like to share something that I have found extremely
helpful as I deal with chronic fatigue. I recently received
a link to a website called ButYouDontLookSick.com. On the
website, the founder, Christine Miserandino, shares her
personal story of living with a chronic illness. Included is
a cleverly written analogy called “The Spoon Theory” that
describes what it is like to live with illness and the profound
fatigue that often accompanies it. “The Spoon Theory” is
Christine’s attempt at explaining to a friend how difficult it is
to ration her energy throughout the day.
Up-Coming CRAAB! Sports Events
On April 26, 2011 our annual walking club began.
This is a great way to commune with nature and meet and
talk with other survivors. Join in any time. We meet at the
Crossings Park in Colonie every Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. and
head out at 5:30.
Our annual golf tournament, Take a Swing at Breast
Cancer, is Friday, June 17, at the Colonie Golf Course.
This has proved to be a wonderful day for golfers and for
CRAAB!. Call 435-1055 to get more information.
She explained this challenging concept by grabbing a
bunch of spoons and handing them to her friend. She went
on to say that when you are healthy you have an unlimited
number of “spoons” to accomplish all the tasks of the day,
but when you live with illness your “spoons” are limited. She
described how seemingly simple tasks like getting out of
bed in the morning and getting dressed can use up several
spoons even before you begin the most important tasks of
your day. She explained to her friend that “once your spoons
are gone, they are gone” so you must plan wisely how you
are going to use your spoons. A task that comes so easily to
others, for someone with an illness, “is like a hundred little
jobs in one,” and the use of every spoon has to be carefully
thought out and never wasted.
This year, our Trap Shoot will be held on Saturday,
June 18, at a new location, Sunset Farms in Duanesburg. I
was happy to discover that this activity attracts both men
and women! If you’d like to try yourself, instructors will be
there to get you started.
Tennis Action will again be held at the Albany Tennis
Club on Saturday, July 16. Not being a tennis player, I still
find this event fun to watch since players are paired up based
on experience, which makes the matches quite competitive.
New this year, on Saturday, July 18, CRAAB! will be
the beneficiary of “Pitching Pink” sponsored by the Valley
Cats baseball team. Every time I have attended a game at
Joe Bruno Stadium it has been a fun-packed family event.
Baseball is America’s pastime so enjoy a game, cheer on the
team and support CRAAB!.
As she told the story, she began taking spoons out of her
friend’s hand for every task she completes in a typical day. As
her friend started to understand, tears filled her eyes and she
asked if Christine really experienced this every day. Christine
explained that some days are worse than others and some
days she has more spoons than others, but she always has to
think about it. She hoped her friend would now understand
why plans are often changed and rearranged. She ended the
story by telling her friend that in some ways she feels blessed
Spring/Summer 2011
CRAAB! will send a flyer with all the necessary details
for our sports events. Your support is needed and will be
much appreciated.
craab@nycap.rr.com
8
The Center C urt
of Support
7
Siena’s Pink Zone Event
Marks it’s 11th Year
Pink Zone Steering Committee
Marri Aviza
Rumors Salon and Spa
Gina Castelli
Siena College
Heather Ford ’89
KeyBank
Sally Heritage
CRAAB!
Carrie Hillenbrandt
BBL Hospitality
Emily Jones ’08
UHY Advisors NY, Inc.
Kelly Leavitt
Rumors Salon and Spa
Laura Menty ’08
Siena College
Lisa Norgrove
Rumors Salon and Spa
Maureen O’Brien-Thornton
The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society
Suzanne, O’Connor
Siena College
Margaret Roberts
CRAAB!
Joan Sheehan
CRAAB!
Teaming Up to Celebrate Survivorship
Honorary Committee Members
David Akin
Diane Allegro
The Anderson Group
Marri Aviza
Laura Bagley
Kim Baker ’83
Judith Barlow
Kathleen Brannock
Cheryl Buff ’82
Anita Burns
Jean E. Burton ’75
Jim ’62 and Cynthia Campbell
Sean Clancey
Dr. Vicki E. Cohn
Michelle Collins ’93
Amanda Corneau
Michele Dattorre
Mary Pat Devine
Susan and Jim Donsbach ’68
Ann and Martin Finn ’80
Heather Ford ’89
Francine Frank
Maryellen Gilroy
Brenda Ginardi
Megan Grabowski
Karen and Barry Greene
Nancy and Harry Guest
Terrilyn Guillory
Heidi Harkins ’84
Sally and Chas Heritage
Janet Hotis
Teresa P. Hughes ’80
Jean Insley
Mayor Gerald D. Jennings
Kathleen M. Jimino ’78
Jolene Johnston ’04
Susan L. Kahler
Graeme Keam
Ashley Keating
Georgia Kelly
Kelly Leavitt
Daniel Lilly
Claudia Longo
Diane Mackey
Joseph Mahan
Supervisor Paula Mahan
Veronica Mangione
Suzie Mansfield
Frank Marchesini
Maire Masterson
Cathy McEneny
Mazie McMahon
Lisa McMurdo
Martha Meader
Michael Menges
Laura Menty ’08
Linda Menty
Susan J. Mooradian
Maeve Murray
Karen and Mike Noonan
Lisa Norgrove
Maureen O’Brien-Thornton
Suzanne O’Connor
Peggy O’Day
Shannon O’Neill
Lauren Payne ’03
Jenna Placke
Michelle Ray
Jean Reamer ’76
Toby Reed
Assemblyman Robert Reilly
Courtney Remington
www.craab.org
Making their way to center court are:
Jason Rich ’98
Linda Richardson
Elaine Rubenstein
Lisa ’94 and Peter ’93
Ruggiero
Andrea Crisafulli Russo
Margaret McKenna Sanders
Michelle Santoli
Joe Senecal ’83
Denise Sheehan
Joan and Jim Sheehan
Evy Smith ’75
Jeff Stone
Judy Tomlinson
Kevin Tranchina
Barbara and Michael Tranchina
Diana Wahrlich
Sandy Weckter
Andrea Woodbury
Bob Woodruff
Wanda E. Zygmuntowicz
1. CRAAB! president, Joan Sheehan, Siena Women’s
Basketball Coach Gina Castelli, and Suzie
Mansfield.
2. Pamela Harper, Siena player Kate Zarotney and
Julie Elson.
3. Wendy Ogden and player Kanica Cummings.
4. Ellen Kaufman and player Cristina Centeno.
5. Jill Andros and player Missy Ramsey
6. Nan Murray and Assistant Coach Jolene Johnston.
7. Marggie Skinner and Assistant Coach Andrea
Woodbury.
8. Angela Kowalski and Assistant Coach Michele
Collins.
More info. and photos on
pages 10 and 12 ...
2
1
Spring/Summer 2011
6
3
Spring/Summer 2011
4
5
craab@nycap.rr.com
R R
ecent
esearch
Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer
From Jessica Werder, M.P.H.
Spring/Summer 2011
of advancing cancer) and examines them. If metastasized
cancer cells are found, an ALND is performed, removing
more lymph nodes; if nothing is found, it is assumed that
the cancer has likely not spread, and no additional lymph
nodes are removed, resulting in fewer complications for the
survivor.
This report is made possible through a grant from the Susan G.
Komen for the Cure Northeastern New York Affiliate. Please note
that while the studies listed below are both scientifically and
methodologically sound, caution should be exercised in drawing
conclusions from any one study. You can access this column in
previous newsletters at craab.org.
A recent study, however, calls into question the practice
of performing an ALND after finding sentinel lymph nodes
with metastasized cells.5 In a randomized, clinical trial
conducted between 1999 and 2004, a group of researchers
examined the effects of ALND on survival. They looked at
two outcomes: overall survival and disease-free survival
after 5 years. They enrolled 891 women with invasive
breast cancers who had undergone lumpectomy and SLND,
removing their sentinel lymph nodes. Women were only
eligible if they had sentinel nodes that tested positive for
metastatic cancer cells (remember that, under accepted
clinical practice, all of these women would be given ALND
because they had positive sentinel lymph nodes). Half were
assigned to ALND and half were given no further lymph
node treatments. All were required to undergo specific
radiation therapy.
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Background and Recent Evidence
For many years, Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
(ALND) has been a recognized and accepted component
of breast cancer surgery.1 The procedure involves the
removal and examination of up to 30 lymph nodes from
around a woman’s pectoral muscles, (armpit area) following
a mastectomy or lumpectomy. The reasoning behind the
procedure comes from the fact that
breast cancers can metastasize, or
The findings suggest that there
spread, through the lymph system;
“If ALND can be avoided, the
is no significant difference in
by removing and examining the
survival rate between women with
possibility
of
lymphedema,
swelling,
lymph nodes around an existing
sentinel lymph nodes
tumor, physicians can achieve two
pain and numbness can be minimized.” metastatic
who
underwent
ALND and women
things: 1) determine whether the
who
received
no
therapy beyond
cancer has metastasized and; 2)
the
initial
SLND.
Furthermore,
prevent or control the localized spread of cancer that may
disease-free
survival
did
not
differ
between
the
two groups;
happen through the lymph system.
this means there was no difference in the number of women
with cancer recurrence and those without between the two
Unfortunately, ALND brings with it a series of
groups. And, as logic would suggest, the women receiving
complications for the survivor, including lymphedema
only SLND suffered from significantly fewer instances of
(swelling, caused by a build-up of lymph fluid) limited
lymphedema and wound infections than those women
shoulder mobility, numbness and pain in the affected area
receiving the ALND.
2,3,4
and serious risk of infection.
In recent years, physicians
have begun to employ a different technique, to minimize
these complications. Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection
(SLND) is a procedure in which physicians identify specific
lymph nodes: the ones through which fluid drains from the
affected breast. A physician removes between 1 and 3 of
these “sentinel nodes” (so named because they may warn
www.craab.org
Implications
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) has been
employed since the introduction of the radical mastectomy.6
Despite recent evidence against the use of ALND,7 it is still
Spring/Summer 2011
Implications:
an accepted practice for the treatment and management
of breast cancer. This study shows, as stated in an editorial
accompanying the published results: “patients undergoing
partial mastectomy, whole-breast radiation and systemic
therapy for early breast cancer with … SLN metastasis can
be treated effectively and safely without ALND.” This has
large implications for the quality of life of many potential
survivors. If ALND can be avoided,
the possibility of lymphedema,
swelling, pain and numbness can be
“To reduce BPA
minimized.
Examining the food records of participants, researchers
determined that the greatest sources of exposure came
from meals prepared outside of the home, soda from
cans, frozen dinners, canned foods, microwavable meals
packaged in plastic and drinking from water bottles made
from polycarbonate. The obvious
implications
for
individuals
and DEHP exposure, and families come as a result of
personal choice. To reduce BPA
people can try to avoid prepackaged
and DEHP exposure, people can try
In addition, the study points to the
and prepared foods.”
to avoid prepackaged and prepared
necessity of continued, prospective
foods. However, this may create
analysis of accepted clinical practices.
difficulties for many. Alternatives
Concepts of cancer biology are constantly evolving and
to plastic packaging do exist, including BPA/DEHP-free
pharmaceutical treatments are ever changing. Scientific
plastic products and can liners. Policies encouraging food
evidence pointing to the effectiveness of a procedure should
companies to use such products would reduce levels of BPA/
be the hallmark for its endorsement, not its longevity.
DEHP in food packaging, helping to reduce individuals’
Clinical guidelines for breast cancer treatment are
exposure levels.
constantly changing. Up to date guidelines can be found on
the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s website, www.
While the study was small, the experimental nature
asco.org/portal/site/ascov2, under the tab “Guidelines.”
of the design eliminated a significant amount of variation
that may be found in larger studies taking a cross-sectional,
population approach to exposure analysis. Larger studies
should be conducted to confirm the findings.
Dietary Sources of EndocrineDisruptors BPA and DEHP
Lyman GH et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology. American
Society of Clinical Oncology guideline recommendations for
sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage breast cancer. Journal
of Clinical Oncology 2005, 23(30): 7703–7720.
1
Yeoh EK et al. Primary breast cancer: complications of axillary
management. Acta Radiologica. Oncology 1986, 25(2): 105-108.
2
Bisphenol A (BPA) and bis (2-ethylhexlyl) phthalate
(DEHP) are chemicals commonly found in a number of
plastic products, including those products used in food
packaging.8 As synthetic estrogens, these chemicals mimic
the hormone estrogen in the human body. Years of research
have demonstrated a direct link between increased estrogen
exposure and an increased risk of breast cancer.9 In addition,
research specific to BPA and DEHP has shown links between
these chemicals and DNA damage in human breast cancer
cells.10,11
Ivens et al. Assessment of morbidity from complete axillary
dissection. British Journal of Cancer 1992, 66(1): 136-138.
3
Kell MR et al. Outcome of axillary staging in early breast cancer:
a meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2010,
120(2):441-447.
4
Giuliano A et al. Axillary dissection vs. no axillary dissection
in women with invasive breast cancer and sentinel node
metastasis: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American
Medical Association 2011, 305(6): 569-575.
5
Halsted WS. The results of radical operations for the cure of
carcinoma of the breast. Annals of Surgery 1907, 46(1)1-19.
6
Veronesi U et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer:
ten-year results of a randomized controlled study. Annals of
Surgery 2010, 251(4)595-600.
7
In a recent study, researchers examined the effect of diet
choices on individuals’ BPA and DEHP exposure. Examining
urine samples from 20 individuals over the course of eight
days, they were able to identify each person’s level of
exposure to the two chemicals. For the first two days of the
experiment, individuals ate their normal diets; over the next
three days, they were given a special diet of “fresh” foods,
in which foods had no contact with plastic products; on
days six through eight, they returned to their regular diets.
Researchers found a significant decrease in urine levels of
BPA and DEHP metabolites (chemical markers) during
the three-day, fresh-foods intervention. Chemical markers
increased to their pre-intervention levels when individuals
returned to their normal diets.
Spring/Summer 2011
Breast Cancer Fund. Bisphenol A(BPA) and Cancer Fact Sheet,
12/8/08. www.breastcancerfund.org. Accessed 3.28.11.
8
Russo et al. 2004. Chapter 4: The role of estrogen in breast
cancer. In Molecular Basis of Breast Cancer, Springer-Verlag:
Berlin.
9
Iso et al. DNA damage caused by bisphenol A and estradiol
through estrogenic activity. Biology and Pharmaceutical Bulletin
2006, 29: 206-210.
10
Kang et al. DNA methylation of estrogen receptor alpha gene
by phthalates. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.
Part A. 2005,68(23-24):1995-2003.
11
craab@nycap.rr.com
Special Thanks to The Pink Zone’s Generous Sponsors ...
nk $1,000 Sponsor
u
D
m
a
l
s
S
Professor Ira Bloom
Fun for Everyone! Funds for CRAAB!
GOLF
SHOOTING
Take a Swing at
Breast Cancer
Friday, June 17
Colonie Golf Course
This has proved to be a
wonderful day for golfers
and for CRAAB!. Call
435-1055 to get more
information.
Trap Shoot
for the Cure
Saturday, June 18,
New location, Sunset Farms
in Duanesburg
This activity attracts both
men and women! If you’d
like to try yourself,
instructors will be there
to get you started.
Book Review continued.
Lay-Up $250 Sponsors
3-Pointer $500 Sponsors
Jack Brock
Lavelle and Finn, LLP
Newton Plaza Merchants
Association
Precision Valve & Automation
Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service
Screen-It, Ltd
SEFCU Community Support
www.craab.org
Colonie Irish Social Club
Davey Tree Expert Company
Empire Wine & Liquor
Frank Gallo & Son Florist
Gina Castelli
Gold’s Gym
10
Orange Motors
Pen & Palette
Linda & Bob Rennie
Teamsters Care Local 294
Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz,
Edelman & Dicker, LLP
Spring/Summer 2011
information that is not readily available to
her patients.” In the end, whether a woman
should get a mammogram is a personal
decision, but Welch et al. want biomedical
evidence to influence that decision.
The authors attribute so much of
the push for testing to: well-meaning
disease advocacy groups stressing the
purported importance of early diagnosis;
testimonials as to its efficacy from public
figures highlighted in mass media;
efforts to improve quality of care that
include amount of testing as one of their
criteria; malpractice awards; hospital/
specialist/drug company marketing; and
disagreement among good doctors over
its value. A new concern is lower-cost
DNA testing that could add to the already
rampant overdiagnosis problem. He
posits that everyone’s genes will reveal
heightened susceptibility to some ailments
and diseases, with little that can be done
despite the knowledge. The detection of
abnormalities in people who may never
develop symptoms leads to treatment for
those who cannot benefit from it and who
may, in fact, be harmed by it. Dr. Welch
believes we are creating a culture of illness,
not wellness.
Overdiagnosed is well written,
thought-provoking and may save lives
if the media-soaked public can wade
through the screening hype, question
their physicians and find personal benefit
in taking responsibility for how and why
to ask, “Do I really need this test”? And,
“Why do I need this test?”
Spring/Summer 2011
TENNIS
BASEBALL
Tennis Action
Pitching Pink
Non-tennis players still find
this event fun to watch
since players are paired up
based on experience, which
makes the matches quite
competitive.
Valley Cats games at Joe
Bruno Stadium are a funpacked family event.
Baseball is America’s
pastime so enjoy a game,
cheer on the team and
support CRAAB!.
Saturday, July 16
Albany Tennis Club
Sunday, July 17
Valley Cats at Bruno Stadium
Komen Grant continued.
3. A second Health Forum
for Minority Women in
collaboration with Northeast
Health’s Women’s Health Center
in Rensselaer County.
For support services we
will provide:
1. Three 8-week sessions of
Yoga & Meditation classes in
Perth and Niskayuna.
2. Two sessions of Resist-ABall Training in collaboration
with Plaza Fitness in Albany.
3. “Medical Massage in Your
Own Home” for survivors in 5
counties.
4. NEW: Pink Ribbon Pilates
in Rensselaer County.
5. NEW: the Lifestyle Coaching
program “Transitions,” a 12week weight management,
nutrition counseling and exercise
program at Plaza Fitness.
The new Pink Ribbon
Pilates: Post Operative
Workout Enhancing Recovery
can help women recover from
surgery and radiation, relieve
tightness in the chest and
help restore arm and shoulder
11
strength and mobility. Survivors
will slowly progress from
exercises performed in a chair
through those performed on
mats to those that use resist-abands.
The new “Transitions,”
program, facilitated by fitness
instructor and certified Lifestyle
Coach, Randi Jurus, will include:
help in setting realistic goals;
nutrition counseling; practice
in keeping nutrition journals;
tips for reducing stress; basic
exercises to improve body
composition; and general
education about food groups
and using healthier ingredients.
The last two weeks culminate
in making personal plans to
continue newly learned lifestyles
and a celebration potluck dinner.
The program also includes
CDs, books, and journals that
participants can keep to use as
motivational materials outside of
class. Space is limited, so please
register early.
The times and dates for
these programs are still being
planned. You can expect a
CRAAB! program brochure
outlining details to arrive in your
mailbox this summer.
craab@nycap.rr.com
Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer!
125 Wolf Road, Suite 124
Albany NY 12205
Thank You!
Off-court fun at Siena’s
Pink Zone Event
Feb. 25, 2011
We welcome new members:
Silvia Cornell
Barbara Fitzgerald
Jackie Freedman
Pamela Harper
Michelle Martin
We are grateful for your donations!
In memory of:
Susan Cohen by Bonnie Spanier
Dorothy Condon by Margie Alley
Phyllis Gottung by Marilyn Frantsov
Ceola Harris-Malone by Pamela Harper
Diane Peters by Sharon and Richard Patrick
Linda Lee Shultis Ralbovsky by Joanne Vyce
In honor of:
Nancy O’Connor by Dr. Vicki E. Cohn
Joan Sheehan by Barbara Neiman
Special Donations:
American Medical Women’s Association,
Albany Medical College chapter
In Honor of Gina Castelli and the Siena Saints Women’s Basketball Team by
Kathy and Joe Culella
Verizon Pioneers
Top right: Heidi Harkins, Kathy Harkins, Doreen Smith,
Talisha Hargish, Pat Joseph and Sue Kahler enjoy the pre-game
reception.
Pink Zone attendees could have pink hair extentions professionally
added to their hair by a stylist from Rumors Salon.
Attendees at the reception check out silent auction items.
www.craab.org
12
Spring/Summer 2011