Tag: smoking

About Breast Cancer

A June 2025 update discusses research linking obesity to increased breast cancer severity due to changes in breast fat tissue. There’s no evidence of dietary soy increasing breast cancer risk. A Mediterranean diet may lower incidence rates, while smoking raises the risk. Dr. Eliza Port’s guidebook offers valuable insights for patients.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

This information is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider to decide what is right for you.

Update June 12, 2025

I suggest you review this updated post about breast cancer.

Observing Breast Cancer Awareness

In October, awareness of breast cancer is highlighted. This common cancer affects both women and men, with various types identified. Risk factors include age, genetics, and lifestyle. Early detection and preventive measures can significantly improve outcomes, emphasizing the need for education and support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.
From the original post-November 2015

Researchers at Cornell University see a potential link between obesity and breast cancer. Obesity may change the adipose (fat) tissue in the breast making it more susceptible to malignant (cancerous) changes. This may explain why breast cancer is sometimes more severe in patients who are also obese.

Body mass index chart
A BMI OF 30 or more represents obesity. BMI Chart created by Vertex42.com. Used with permission.

Because soy has similar effects to estrogen, there was concern that it might predispose women to breast cancer. but in a review of 7 medical studies, there was no association between dietary soy and breast cancer. Women who had previously had breast cancer has less risk of recurrence and lower mortality.

A 6 year study of 4000 women found a lower incidence of breast cancer in women who ate a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, as compared to a group following a “low fat” diet. (However, only 35 cancers occurred during this time, so the numbers are not significant enough to draw definite conclusions.)

bottle of olive oil
The Mediterranean diet provides many health benefits.

The Canadian National Breast Screening Study of almost 90,000 women found that smoking, especially long term smoking prior to a first pregnancy, increased the risk for breast cancer. 

no smoking sign
Smoking adversely affects health in many ways.
The New Generation Breast Cancer Book
This is an affiliate link.

Dr. Eliza Port, a breast surgeon at The Mount Sinai Hospital has written this guidebook on breast cancer which shows patients

“How to Navigate Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options-and Remain Optimistic-in an Age of Information Overload “

In The New Generation Breast Cancer Book , Dr. Port “describes every possible test and every type of doctor visit, providing a comprehensive, empathetic guide that every newly diagnosed woman (and her family) will want to have at her side.”

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Dr. Aletha

3 ways to help a colicky baby

(Several product links in this post are affiliate links which pay a commission)

Infantile colic, another medical mystery, baffles parents and doctors. Unlike renal (kidney) colic due to a stone, we don’t know what causes colic in babies. But whatever the cause, it frustrates and tires parents of affected infants.

Colic is defined as “paroxysms of inconsolable crying”.  Since there are many reasons babies cry, ranging from wet diapers to hunger to serious illness, doctors have established specific diagnostic criteria for colic, since there is no diagnostic test for it.

crying baby
courtesy Pixabay
Doctors consider the crying diagnostic of colic if it occurs

  • 3 hours per day
  • More than 3 days per week
  • Longer than 3 weeks.

Possible causes for colic include

  • Changes in gut bacteria
  • Intolerance to cow’s milk protein or lactose
  • Gut inflammation
  • Poor feeding technique
  • Maternal smoking or other nicotine use

The episodes typically resolve by 3 to 6 months of age.No long term  consequences result from colic, but parents and babies both need relief from the distress it causes.

Three strategies seem to be most helpful.

For breast fed infants,

Mother can try a low-allergen diet. This means restricting intake of cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy and fish.

peanuts-618549_640 fried eggs on toast

glass-925858_1280
Another alternative is the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (strain DSM 17938). Unfortunately in bottle fed babies, this seems to make colic worse.

So for bottle-fed infants, changing to a hydrolyzed formula, such as Gentlease, Nutramigen, Pregestimil, or Neocate is suggested. .

No smoking sign
Maternal smoking may be a cause of infant colic
Here are some other suggestions from Family Doctor.org .

As always, the best source of advice is your baby’s own physician, so talk first before making any changes.