Comments (1)

By Jillies, August 23, 2010 7:25 am

I would like to commend Boston University, Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Sigma for supporting JILLIES inititate to educate college women about breast health.

On September 11, 2010 from 2 -5 pm we will kick off this new program at BU’s Nickerson Field. This is the first effort of its kind at any area college.

Margie and I first presented the idea to Jack Weldon, Dean of Students at Boston University. Jack connected us with the heads of the Greek Life at BU and the program took shape. JILLIES has partnered with Gamma Phi Beta sorority whose platform is breast cancer and Kappa Sigma fraternity to participate in the Kick for the Cure charity event. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Susan B. Komen for the Cure organization. JILLIES, along with a representative from Susan B. Komen will be at the event handing out breast health education materials and be available to answer student’s questions.

There are lifestyle choices that contribute to a women’s risk of getting the disease and the research shows the earlier we make the right choices, the more we are able to reduce our risk. It is true factors beyond our control such as family history, genetic mutations and age play a role in a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. However, it is important to recognize the factors we can control which contribute to breast health. These include eating a well balanced and maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, abstaining from smoking cigarettes, limiting our intake of alcohol and our exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, even young women of college age should know how to perform a self breast exam properly and do it on a monthly basis. The number of breast cancer diagnoses in young women has risen over the past years. The good news, is that when breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it is very treatable.

It is never too early to talk to our daughters and sons about breast cancer. Although this may not be a topic that is top of mind for students, there are probably few who haven’t been touched by the disease one way or another in their young lives. We want to provide them with good information and put their fears to rest.

Comments (0)

By Jillies, February 18, 2010 7:41 am

Scientists from several Harvard-affiliated institutions reported that women who took aspirin after completing breast cancer treatment were half as likely to die from the disease as women who did not regularly take aspirin. Taking aspirin also reportedly reduced the risk of breast cancer returning. You can read the study which was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology at http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/mjgca?SEARCHID=1&FULLTEXT=aspirin%2C+breast+cancer&FIRSTINDEX=0&hits=20&RESULTFORMAT=&gca=jco%3BJCO.2009.22.7918v1

According to Dr. Larry Norton, Director of breast cancer services at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, there is an increasing interest in aspirin as a cancer preventative, however he does not suggest based on this study that people go out and buy aspirin. The study was based on a small sample of 4,164 registered nurses diagnosed with the disease between 1976 and 2002. A total of 341 of these women in the study had died from breast cancer by 2006. The study did not ask women what dose of aspirin they were taking. Along with aspirin the study suggests that other anti-inflammatory medications like Advil and Motrin may be helpful, but only when taken 6-7 days per week.

Aspirin has been prescribed for years to heart disease patients due to its blood thinning properties. However, women should take caution as aspirin can lead to a condition called “leaky gut”. Continued aspirin use can create small holes in the stomach leading to harmful chemicals entering one’s bloodstream.

All agree that further research is needed to determine if aspirin really does support breast health. Unfortunately the drug companies probably won’t be lining up to fund this research since aspirin has no patent protection and produces low profit margins.