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CANCER PREVENTION

All women are at risk for getting breast cancer, and the risk increases with age. A report from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that about 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one in 27 will die of it. This year, 182,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (or one woman in every 3 minutes). The numbers are staggering and Breast cancer has become the most frequently diagnosed cancer with women.

Susan Villaroman, who has no family history of the disease, got the shock of her life when, while bathing one morning in 1999, she felt a lump in her (right) breast.  She immediately went to see a doctor and had a biopsy scheduled right away.  After about a week, she tested positive for invasive breast cancer.

Because the cause of breast cancer is not yet fully known, there is no way to prevent it. The discovery  moved her to research on the illness, what could have possibly caused it and how she could conquer it. 

She turned to Nutrition to help her combat her cancer and even completed a Certificate in Advance Nutrition in the Australian College of Natural Therapy in Australia for one year.

After going through a series of medical examinations, observations and radiation therapies, her doctor declared Susan free from cancer. 

I consider myself lucky because I know cancer is very hard to treat," she sighed in relief.  But even then, the ordeal she got through all the more inspired her to help other people who are now undergoing the same thing.  She is now an active participant of Petals of Hope, a cancer support group led by Dr. Kelly Salvador, who owns an oncology clinic in Greenhills. 

Petals of Hope is a non-profit organization founded by Cynthia Sanchez.  There are currently 40 men and women members who are battling all sorts of cancer.  This organization meets twice a month at Mary the Queen church .  The organization was established to give emotional support to cancer patients and their families,.  They also have fundraisers to help subsidize treatments for those who cannot afford it.

 There is a school within the organization called Pink Forum and Susan runs this.  She gives lectures on proper nutrition using natural food supplements and she directs the nutrition or diet of the members.

From experience, Susan can tell that there are about four basic precursors to cancer: (1) genetic, which means hereditary; (2) diet, which is too much meat, preservatives and chemicals; (3) environment, which means pollution; and (4) lifestyle, that is, sedentary living and excessive vices like alcoholism.

"A strong immune system can give a cancer patient a good fighting chance against the disease," she declares.  "You have to choose the right food and dietary supplements."

Battling cancer is scary and difficult that is why it is all about prevention. Susan gives us the must-haves dietary supplements that can help you prevent cancer:

• Vitamin C (500mg) helps prevent the degradation of human cells and make healing of scars faster (for smokers 1000mg) prevents the breakdown of collagen and strengthens the immune system.  Ester C repairs damaged cells.
• Alphalipoic acid" ( ALA ) protects the liver and recycles vitamins in the body, such as vitamins C, D and E.
• Silymarin Milk Thistle - helps the cells of the liver block the entrance of harmful toxins and helps remove this from the liver cells.In other words Detoxes the liver. Not only detoxing alcohol but also all the harmful preservatives in the food we eat, the free radicals in the pollution in the air.
• CoQ10 renews and regenerates cellular damage and helps prevent heart disease and has an anti-aging effect
• Calcium Magnesium Zinc - builds strong bones and muscles and helps prevent colon cancer and helps balance hormones for both men and women
• Radiance Multi Vitamin - multivitamins binds all the nutrients together

Susan says a so-called "macro nutrient diet" must consist the three most important nutrients-unsaturated fat, protein and carbohydrates.  She mentions canola oil is good for cooking, so is grape seed oil which, she says, is also a great skin-whitening agent.

According to her, if one finds a cancer patient or survivor looking better and younger after some medications and diet, it is because the food and nutritional supplements they take to fight cancer are incidentally beautifying ingredients.

or inquiries on health and cancer-fighting food supplements, call the Health Express hotline: 892-7978/840-1855 or visit any of its branches nationwide. The leading lifestyle store has branches in SM North Edsa, Citywalk 2 Eastwood Libis, Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center , Festival Mall, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Novaliches, Big R Santa Rosa, SM Davao, SM Iloilo, Robinsons Supermarket Bacolod and Robinsons Town Mall Los Baños.