Dr Oz’s Cancer Proof Your Life show began with a segment on the 5 Biggest Cancer Risks for Women Over 40. Cancer is one of the top most feared diseases in America, so Doctor Oz did an entire show on how you can cancer proof your life. From the list of Dr Oz Anti-Cancer Superfoods to general tips to Cancer Proof Your Life – this Dr Oz Recap is a must read! 
Medical Advances in Cancer
Dr Oz said that in 1947, chemotherapy was successfully used to treat cancer for the first time. By the 1960′s, pap tests were able to eliminate the deadly nature of Cervical Cancer by early detection. In the 1970′s, bone marrow transplants improved the chances for people with Leukemia and Lymphoma. In addition, Breast Cancer detection has increased the number of survivors. Plus, doctors and patients are excited about the Miracle Pill for Cancer, which Dr Oz spoke about in a previous show(click here for the Dr Oz Recap about Gleevec). However, even with all of these medical advances in cancer, the overall death rate from Cancer is only down 5% from 1950 to 2005.
Dr Oz was joined by Dr William Li, a leading Cancer Researcher, who believes that prevention is the holy grail. Dr Li thinks about what we can add to our lives to help boost our body’s immune system so that we can beat Cancer at its own game. Dr Oz asked Dr Li how we can start Cancer-Proofing Life, and he said that of course there are cancer risks such as smoking, obesity and genetics, but here are 5 other secret risks for women over 40.
Dr Oz: 5 Biggest Risks for Women Over 40
1. Dr Oz: Hidden Risk for Pancreatic Cancer – Diabetes
Dr Oz said that Pancreatic Cancer is very hard to find, and when it is found, doctors can do very little to help, so prevention is essential in Pancreatic Cancer. 80 million people are Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic, and having Type 2 Diabetes increases your risk of Pancreatic Cancer. In Type 2 Diabetes, both your insulin and blood sugar levels are too high. You do not get pain or feel any symptoms with Pancreatic Cancer, but as the extra sugar in your system feeds the cancer cells, your liver and pancreas get sick which can make your eyes jaundice and turn yellow. So if you notice the whites of your eyes turning yellow, definitely see a doctor right away. Diabetes also increases your risks for Liver Cancer and Bladder Cancer.
2. Dr Oz: Hidden Risk for Colon Cancer – Calcium Deficiency
Dr Oz said that fewer than 15% of women over 40 get enough calcium, and calcium is important because it binds carcinogens in the colon and helps us to excrete them so that they cannot cause cancer. All of us have cells in our body that could become serious cancers, but our immune system helps to find them and get rid of them. If you do not have enough calcium, then the cancer cells can grow out of control and get to the point where your immune system cannot kill them. So try taking Dr Oz’s Calcium Cocktail (600 mg calcium, 400 mg magnesium and 1000 IU vitamin D).
3. Dr Oz: Hidden Risk for Head & Neck Cancer – Advanced Gum Disease
Dr Oz said that Advanced Gum Disease, specifically Periodontitis, causes bone loss in your mouth. Dr Li said that especially in women over 40, there is an increased risk of Periodontitis because of the low estrogen levels after menopause. If you have Periodontitis, then it is easier for viruses and bacteria to get into the soft tissue in your head and neck that cause inflammation, which in turn create an environment that Cancer likes to grow in. Definitely brush and floss daily to help prevent Advanced Gum Disease, and in turn, Head & Neck Cancers.
4. Dr Oz: Hidden Risk for Ovarian Cancer – Processed Meats
Dr Oz said that a diet high in Processed Meats can increase your risk for Ovarian Cancer, because deli meats are usually high in nitrates and nitrites which converts into carcinogens in our body and damage our DNA. When our DNA gets damaged, it increases our chances of cells turning cancerous. Dr William Li said that studies have shown that eating 1-3 slices of processed meat a day is enough to increase your risk for Esophagus Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Colon Cancer and Pancreas Cancer. I have found that a great substitute for deli meats is to roast a chicken and cut it up into slices that you can put on a sandwich – this tastes better and is much healthier for you.
5. Dr Oz: Hidden Risk for Breast Cancer – Dense Breasts
Dr Oz said that if you have Dense Breasts, you risk of getting Breast Cancer is 5 times as high as women who have fatty breasts. Dr Li said that only a Mammogram can tell you if you have dense breasts or not. If your doctor does not tell you if you have Dense Breasts after a mammogram, then definitely ask. You cannot tell if you have Fatty Breasts or Dense Breasts by the shape or size. Dr Oz showed a mammogram of dense breast vs a fatty breast and it was much easier to see things on the fatty breast. It is the inability to see cancer in Dense Breast Tissue that makes it hard to diagnose Breast Cancer early. However, if you have Dense Breasts, Dr William Li said that there are several things you can do:
Prevent Breast Cancer in Dense Breasts
Dr William Li suggested the following things if you have Dense Breasts:
- Diet can influence the density of your breasts, and a study found that eating a low fat and high carb diet over a couple of years can decrease your breast density.
- After pregnancy, your breast density usually goes down.
- Women over 40 must do monthly exams and not skip any routine tests.
- Conventional mammograms cannot see through Dense Breasts, but Digital Mammograms, Ultrasounds and MRI’s – when used together – can give a clear picture even in Dense Breast Tissue.
Related Posts:
- Dr Oz: Breast Cancer Risks & Breast Cancer Test Card
- Dr. Oz: 6 Biggest Risks for Cancer with Dr. Peter Kozuch
- Dr Oz: The Biggest Lies You’ve Ever Been Told About Cancer
- Dr Oz: TNM Cancer Stages, Raw Food Diet for Cancer & Cancer Risks
- Dr Oz: 5 Biggest Health Mistakes Women Make
Loading ...
Comments to Dr Oz: Cancer-Proof Your Life: 5 Biggest Risks for Women Over 40