October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• , October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

We're four romance authors who want to spread some happily ever afters around while urging you to get your annual checkups! Just Visit the websites or blogs of the other three participating authors to read up on the latest breast health information and learn how to enter each of the participating authors' contests. Click on the links below:

http://www.aklanier.com/
http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/
http://www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/

There are many myths circulating about cancer and what one should do or avoid doing to prevent it. An email dropped into my Inbox today, which made me think, and decide to post this instead of the post I had intended. I can't guarantee its validity, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I've already read this information in other places so it might be worth taking note of. Basically you should use:

No plastic containers in microwave.
No water bottles in freezer
No plastic wrap in microwave..

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers... This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastic releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body... Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc. should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

While I knew that heating plastics could possibly be dangerous I have to admit I hadn't realized that refrigerating it could be just as dangerous. I've always put bottled water in the fridge but will change my habits from now on.

Talking about water I also came across the following:

"Ionized water is very, very important for cancer therapy. It will help to flush out of the body toxic acidic wastes and hydrate your body allowing your cells to become better oxygenated.

There are many reported benefits of alkaline water including:

Enabling the body assimilate water better and hydrate quicker due to the smaller cluster size of the water molecules

Helping to restore the body to its ideal pH balance

Promotes an internal alkaline environment which takes up oxygen better helping to guard against cancers etc

It helps to neutralize and flush out toxins and acid wastes from the body.

Increases energy levels and improves the capacity for aerobic exercise. It also speeds up recovery time after exercising.

It aids assimilation of mineral supplements where absorption is limited due to excess acidity.

Alkaline ionized water has been credited with having beneficial properties in the treatment of many diseases in addition to helping healthy people maintain their good health with high levels of vitality

This was written by the manufacturers of Ionised water products, so they might be a bit biased and again I can't vouch for its validity, but it is interesting and if you would like to read more, here's a LINK

And here's another link about the pros and cons of 'natural remedies'.
http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/5/6/300

Before considering a natural remedy always consult your doctor first, and make sure you get your regular breast screening.

If you'd like to do a good turn and help women get free mamograms THE GREATER GOOD
is a wonderful site. By clicking on the pink button you can help fund this service. You can also help animals in shelters, the rainforests, and three other good causes from the same site - and it won't cost you anything except a few moments of your time.

I'm offering a $10 Wild Rose Press Gift Token as my Prize in the Breast Cancer Month Contest.
To enter the draw, just watch any of my Book videos on this page and tell me who wrote the music for it. You have unitl October 31st to enter. Don't forget to enter on the other 3 sites too.