Publications > Newsletter
Fall 2005
Contents
National Family History Day: "My Family Health Portrait"
Targeted Therapy: Specific Treatments for Hereditary Cancer
An Introduction to Breast Reconstruction
Voices of FORCE
Surviving Breast Cancer: African-American Women and the Importance Of Genetic Testing
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA): An Update
(to search past issues of our newsletter)
Voices of FORCE
Each quarter,we’ll invite a FORCE member to share an insightful perspective, a valuable experience, or a touching story to help others who are dealing with issues of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Empowered with Exercise
By Joanne Cabello
A commitment to health and fitness has been a constant theme in my life. From age four through college I trained as a dancer and competitive athlete. As a personal trainer my clients ranged from pro athletes to celebrities to senior citizens. Another constant theme in my life has been the presence of breast and ovarian cancer.
During the years my mother was shuttling me between dance class and gymnastics practice she began dealing with cancer. She was first diagnosed with melanoma. Soon after, she learned she had stage III breast cancer. Ten years later, a second breast cancer followed. One of many family members who faced cancer, Mom had fears, but she never seemed to doubt she would make a full recovery. Approximately thirty years after her first occurrence, she is cancer free. Her courage definitely made an impression on me.
Shortly before her second breast cancer, Mom learned about a risk management program at a local cancer center. It seemed interesting and she liked the idea of being proactive. She volunteered and asked the family to participate. Learning I shared Mom’s BRCA1 mutation, I familiarized myself with my options and later began early mammograms.
At age forty I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A lumpectomy was suggested. Thanks to Mom, I was prepared. I used her experience as motivation. Given my gene status, it seemed unlikely this would be the last time I would confront breast cancer. I opted for prophylactic bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction followed by a prophylactic oophorectomy. This proved to be a good decision: the pathology from the surgery revealed bilateral multifocal DCIS, most of which had not been revealed by mammogram or MRI.
Even after deciding on surgery, I had my doubts. Being a healthy role model was a big part of my business as well as my self image. I worried about how I would look and whether people would perceive me differently. Then I realized this was my chance to prove the benefits of fitness to my clients and to myself. I intended to come through the experience fit and healthier, lowering my risk by arguably up to 95 percent. Inspired by Lance Armstrong, pre-viving became my proudest achievement.
After surgery, I learned how much a healthy lifestyle and exercise influenced my ability to meet the physical and mental challenges of surgery. As an athlete I was used to dealing with injuries. More importantly, following an appropriate exercise regimen throughout recovery provided great psychological as well as physical benefits. I regained a sense of control over my body, reconnecting with feelings of strength and power. Exercise does lower the risk of cancer. It can also provide a much-needed sense of wellbeing for cancer patients, survivors, and those at high risk. Having a set of physical tasks helped me focus on recovery and avoid dwelling on the negative. I knew I was taking appropriate steps to regain my strength and flexibility. I was also taking back my life.
I am so proud, thankful and yes, lucky, to be my mother’s daughter. Thanks to her foresight I prevented invasive cancer. Hopefully future generations will have even better options.
Joanne Cabello, 42, lives in Bloomfield, NJ with her husband
Joe and dog Jane. She works in NYC as a Personal Trainer and
Muscle Activation Techniques Therapist.
Exercise And Cancer Prevention
by Trudy Harris
As an exercise professional, I am often asked if exercise can help protect against cancer. We know exercise is good for the heart and cardiovascular system, but can it reduce the risk of developing cancer? The answer is yes. In fact, one study estimates 90,000 cancer deaths a year are linked to obesity. A well-balanced exercise program is the most effective way to avoid excess pounds and maintain a lifelong healthy weight.
Breast cancer survivors who exercised the equivalent of walking 3-5 hours a week reduced their risk for recurrence by 50%. A study of women with BRCA mutations showed those who were active in sports, dance, or casual exercise during their teenage years had a delay in the onset of breast cancer later in life. BRCA carriers of normal weight (rather than overweight) at menarche and lighter weight at age 21 had a similar delay.
Women over age 25 tend to add a few pounds each year, even if they are not eating more. Many factors contribute to this increased weight, including a reduced activity level and loss of muscle. With less muscle, the metabolism, or rate of burning calories, slows. Cardiovascular exercise such as walking, biking or aerobics, is necessary for good health, but it burns fewer calories than people think. A pound is equivalent to 3,500 calories. Walking at a pace of 20 minutes per mile results in a loss of 300 calories after 69 minutes. At 15 minutes per mile, the same 300 calories are burned after 52 minutes. Since most people spend fewer than 30 minutes walking only a couple of times a week, the resulting weight loss is less than expected.
Resistance training—working out with weights, rubber bands, or anything that offers resistance, is the most efficient way to boost your metabolism and burn more calories. As your muscle mass increases, you burn more calories throughout the day, and even at night while you’re sleeping! A weight-resistance program plus cardiovascular exercise helps stabilize weight as you age.* It improves strength and balance, as well as the blood lipid profile (such as cholesterol level). Bones become stronger, blood circulation increases, and fat is burned more effectively. Even the immune system is stimulated. Exercise
helps to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and several kinds of cancer. Yes! The
prescription is exercise.
* Always discuss any new exercise program with your physician, especially after surgery or if you are at risk for lymphedema.
Trudy Harris is a Certified Clinical Exercise
Specialist and Lifestyle & Weight Management
Consultant.
Editor’s Note: A recent study of 1,073 women from five countries suggests losing as few as 10 pounds between ages 18 and 30 may dramatically reduce the risk for breast cancer in those who have a BRCA1 mutation. Study results published in the journal Breast Cancer Research.
References
E Calle, C Rodriguez, K Walker-Thurmond, M Thun.
Overweight, obesity, and mortality from cancer in a prospectively studied cohort of U.S. adults.
New England Journal of Medicine, April 2003; vol. 348, no. 17: p. 1625-1638.
M Holmes, W Chen, D Feskanich, C Kroenke, G Colditz.
Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis.
Journal of the American Medical Association, May 2005; vol. 293, no. 20: p. 2479-2486.
M King, J Marks, J Mandell.
Breast and ovarian cancer risks due to inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2.
The New York Breast Cancer Study Group.
Science, October 2003; vol. 24: p. 643-6.
Share Your Story
Do you have something to say that may inform our readers or ease their experience? We invite you to share your reflections or personal story about dealing with the issues of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer. Tell us how you feel, how you cope, or what you’ve learned.
Email stories of 500-550 words to:
or mail to:
FORCE
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd.W. #373
Tampa, FL 33647
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