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SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Reducing the
Risk of Breast
Cancer
DEAR DR. ROACH: You have
written about screening for breast can-
cer, but are there any ways to prevent
breast cancer in the fi rst place? -- T.C.
ANSWER: There are three behav-
iors that are well-accepted to reduce
the risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding
is one, and it’s so good for the baby
that we might forget that it has long-
term advantages for moms, but add
reducing the mother’s breast cancer
risk to the list. The second is dietary
phytoestrogens, compounds such as
soy isofl avones and lignans, which are
found in soybeans and other legumes.
This data is most clear among Asian
women. Finally, regular physical exer-
cise reduces breast cancer risk, espe-
cially for women after menopause.
Other dietary factors, such as a
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Lots
of mixed signals can create an unreli-
able situation in which to make deci-
sions. Best advice: Hold off on making
any commitments until you’re sure you
know what’s going on.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) An
apparently friendly off er comes with
some strings attached. Be careful not to
get tied into something you don’t real-
ly want. Th oroughly examine all your
options before making a choice.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) If you’re
not careful, distractions can interrupt
your best eff orts. Continue to focus on
what you need to do. You’ll soon have
lots of time to enjoy the rewards of your
dedication.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Knowledge replaces suspicion as you
diet high in fruits and vegetables and
low in meat and saturated fat, may
reduce risk of breast cancer, but this
isn’t proven. Studies are ongoing to
examine whether vitamin D or omega
3 fatty acids may reduce risk, as sug-
gested in previous studies.
For high-risk women, consider
chemoprophylaxis with a SERM or
aromatase inhibitor, and also a more-
intensive screening program.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I went to my
ENT doctor in January complaining
of muffl ed hearing and a loud, high-
pitched noise in my left ear. He gave
me a hearing test, and it showed 50
percent loss. I had an MRI and was
told that I have an acoustic neuroma
on my left side. This has caused me to
go 50 percent deaf in my ear. The ENT
doctor wants me to wait six months
and see if it grows more, which I don’t
want to do because I feel it should be
taken out while it is small.
The choices I have are to watch
and wait; to have traditional surgery;
or to have surgery with gamma knife
or cyber knife. I would really like to
just get this done and have it taken
out before it causes more problems,
like affecting my facial nerve, balance
nerve or if it gets too close to my brain
stem. I also am worried that I may go
completely deaf. I am getting a second
opinion next month from a neurosur-
geon. What are your thoughts on all of
this? -- B.D.
ANSWER: An acoustic neuroma,
also called a vestibular schwanno-
ma, is a type of non-cancerous tumor
on the eighth cranial nerve, which is
responsible for hearing and balance.
These tumors usually are treated,
although some authorities recommend
a watch-and-wait approach if they
aren’t bothering the patient, if the
patient is a poor candidate for surgery
or if the patient is otherwise reluctant.
None of these seems to apply to you,
so I would recommend proceeding
with the second opinion, the neu-
rosurgeon, whom I think is likely
to recommend treatment. Progressive
hearing loss is a clear indication that
treatment likely would be benefi cial
sooner rather than later.
All the treatments you mentioned
are reasonable. Cyber knife and
gamma knife are ways of delivering
radiation to the tumor. Since any of
these can achieve the goal of prevent-
ing the tumor’s growth and any wors-
ening of symptoms, the choice should
be left to the expert.
begin to learn more about that “act of
betrayal.” On a lighter note, someone
close to you might be planning a pleas-
ant surprise.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Control
your sometimes-overactive jealousy
gene before you fi nd yourself saying or
doing something that you could later
regret. Best advice: Stop obsessing and
move on.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) It’s a good time to loosen up and
do something wonderful and exciting
before your more reserved nature resur-
faces. A message brings news of immi-
nent change.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
Cheer up. Th ings begin to improve sig-
nifi cantly by mid-February. However,
you might still need help to get through
the rest of this sometimes-diffi cult peri-
od.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Something you learned last week
takes on new meaning as you begin to
relate it to another situation in your life.
It’s best to keep this matter to yourself
for now.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22
to December 21) Your energy level is
climbing, and so is your self-confi dence.
Good for you, because you’ll need a
good dollop of both to tackle an exciting
challenge on the way.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) A family issue might inter-
rupt a career-linked project. Try to give
the matter the attention it needs, but be
careful not to jeopardize your workplace
situation.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February
18) Some self-doubt shows up this week,
causing you to question your ability to
handle a new challenge. But you know
you can do it, and this is your chance
to prove it.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
A personal matter requires you to be
as clear and forthcoming as possible in
order to avoid misunderstandings. A
career move is eased with the emergence
of new facts.
Siuslaw N ews
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