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Nothing all that new here, yet this is well-written and comes from reliable sources.

Retrieved from http://www.world-wire.com/news/0911240002.html


CHICAGO, IL, November 24, 2009 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- The series of recent articles on mammography which report the harm done by overscreening, written by New York Times columnist Gina Kolata, as well as in other newspapers, have made no reference to the critical role of the American Cancer Society, warns Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition.

Five radiologists have served as presidents of the American Cancer Society (ACS). In its every move, the ACS promotes the interests of the major manufacturers of mammogram machines and films, including Siemens, DuPont, General Electric, Eastman Kodak, and Piker.

This bias hypes mammography, which Dr. Epstein and Rosalie Bertell, Ph.D. of the International Physicians for Humanitarian Medicine emphasize is an avoidable cause of breast cancer.

"The mammography industry conducts research for the ACS and its grantees, serves on its advisory boards, and donates considerable funds," they warn. "DuPont also is a substantial backer of the ACS Breast Health Awareness Program; sponsors television shows and other media productions touting ACS literature for hospitals, clinics, medical organization, and doctors; produces educational films; and aggressively lobbies Congress for legislation promoting the nationwide availability of mammography services."

In virtually all its actions, the ACS has been and remains strongly linked with the mammography industry. Meanwhile, it ignores or attacks breast self examination (BSE), following training by expert nurses or clinicians, which is the safe and effective alternative, say Drs. Epstein and Bertell.

ACS promotion continues to lure women of all ages into mammography centers, leading them to believe that mammography is their best hope against breast cancer. A leading Massachusetts newspaper featured a photograph of two women in their twenties in an ACS advertisement that promised early detection results in a cure "nearly 100 percent of the time."

An ACS communications director, questioned by journalist Kate Dempsey, admitted in an article published by the Massachusetts Women's Community's journal Cancer, "The ad isn't based on a study. When you make an advertisement, you just say what you can to get women in the door. You exaggerate a point...Mammography today is a lucrative [and] highly competitive business."

Not surprisingly, the prestigious Chronicle of Philanthropy, the leading charity watch dog, has warned that the ACS "is more interested in accumulating wealth than saving lives."

This evidence on the complicity of the ACS was made available to Gina Kolata at her request on October 20th, Dr. Epstein says. However, in her subsequent series of articles, she made no reference to the role of the ACS in concealing the dangers of mammography from the nation's women.

Routine mammography delivers an unrecognized high dose of radiation, warn Drs. Epstein and Bertell. If a woman follows the current guidelines for premenopausal screening, over a 10 year period she would receive a total dosage of about 5 rads. This approximates the level of exposure to radiation of a Japanese woman one mile from the epicenter of atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

“Mammography is a striking paradigm of the capture of unsuspecting women by run-away powerful technological and global pharmaceutical industries, with the complicity of the cancer establishment, particularly the ACS, and the rollover mainstream media," they warn.

Drs. Epstein and Bertell emphasize, "Promotion of the multibillion dollar mammography screening industry has also become a diversionary flag around which legislators and women's product corporations can rally, protesting how much they care about women, while studiously avoiding any reference to avoidable risks of breast cancer.

Screening mammography should be phased out in favor of annual clinical breast examination, (CBE), by a trained nurse and monthly breast self examination (BSE), also following training by a trained nurse. This is an effective, safe, and low-cost alternative, to diagnostic mammography, the two experts advise.

"Such action is all the more critical and overdue in view of the still poorly recognized evidence that mammography does not lead to decreased breast cancer mortality," they say.

Drs. Epstein and Bertell envision nationwide networks of BSE and CBE clinics, staffed by trained nurses, saying, "These low-cost clinics would also empower women by providing them with scientific evidence on the risks of breast cancer, and also on its prevention."

This information is of particular importance, they say, in view of the high incidence of breast cancer, which has increased by 18% from 1975, in spite of the multi-billion dollar U.S. insurance and Medicare costs of mammography. Such funds should be diverted to establishing BSE clinics nationwide and providing public information on the wide range of avoidable causes of breast cancer.

This information was detailed in 2001 in a scientific article on "The Dangers and Unreliability of Mammography: Breast Examination As A Safe Effective and Practical Alternative," published in the prestigious International Journal of Health Services as long ago as 2001. This was co-authored by Dr. Epstein, Dr. Bertell, a leading international expert on radiation hazards, and the late Barbara Seaman, the leader and founder of the women's breast cancer movement.

Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. is professor emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health; Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition; and a former President of the Rachel Carson Trust. His awards include the 1989 Right Livelihood Award and the 2005 Albert Schweitzer Golden Grand Medal for International Contributions to Cancer Prevention. Dr. Epstein has authored 20 scientific articles and 15 books on cancer prevention, including the groundbreaking The Politics of Cancer (1979), and most recently Toxic Beauty (2009, Benbella Books: www.benbellabooks.com) about carcinogens in cosmetics and personal care products.

Rosalie Bertell, Ph. D. is an expert in Radiation Epidemiology. She is the retired President of International Institute of Concern for Public Health, Member of the Board of Regents of the International Physicians for Humanitarian Medicine; Member of the European Committee on Radiation Risk and the Cancer Prevention Coalition (U.S.). Dr. Bertell is a recipient of many awards, including the United Nations Environment Program, Global Five Hundred Award and the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize). She is author of five books and has published more than 100 professional papers and articles.

I heard that German Chamomile and licorice is excellent for eczema.  Can anyone recommend a quality Chamomile or licorice cream or other topical?  One that is lanolin and paraben free? 

Orrin,

Speaking as a distance mentor and writer for the school, but not as the voice of Bauman College, I'd like to add that many of us embrace not only the Bauman Eating for Health model, but also a variety of other models that offer similar and/or complementary philosophies. One such is WAPF, which is an eating system that works well for me, personally. Gardening and cooking from "scratch" have always been my passions, and WAPF's emphasis on traditional cultured foods has helped me take this a step further, while enhancing my health at the same time. I use a number of cultured vegetable, dairy and sourdough recipes from Nourishing Traditions. In my life, this is where WAPF is truly exceptional.

Eating for Health's strong points are its emphasis on nutrient dense "booster foods"--algaes, flax, whey protein, nutritional yeast and its emphasis on lifestyle and spiritual (vital) factors, things that align nicely with WAPF.

As far as fats are concerned, my low-fat days are forever behind me. I definitely fell prey to that philosophy many years ago, and it didn't do my health one bit of good. Now, older and I believe wiser, I eat as much high quality fat as I want; my metabolism seems to thrive on it: cream; coconut oil, cream and milk; olive oil; avocados; nuts and seeds; butter. And marrow bones? I might get violent if you try to take mine away from me. I find fat satiating, soothing and delicious, and I have no problem advocating it with my students and clients, with one caveat: It has to be right for any given metabolism.

And this is also where E4H shines. E4H is holistic and based on the principles of Functional Medicine, which considers individual uniqueness for any recommendations. Some people, some health conditions, some situations require lower fat. It's not a black-and-white issue, and it's not set in stone. People and situations change and it's nice for people to be non-dogmatic in their approach to feeding and nurturing themselves.

I hope this helps.

You can find Sea Tangle Kelp noodles at some Whole Foods, Rainbow, or Other Avenues, if you happen to be in the outer sunset.  I'm sure lots of other places, too.  I'm in love with them, especially since I'm off grains!  They only have kelp, salt from seaweed, and water in the ingredients, and are raw.   

I didn't really measure, but this should be pretty accurate: 

1 package kelp noodles
2 carrots, grated
1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
3 scallions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
1 C coconut milk*
1/2 C peanut butter
1 T tamari
8 or so basil leaves, minced
small handful cilantro, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1" piece ginger, peeled & grated
chopped peanuts (optional)
a pinch red pepper flakes if you want them to have a kick

Cut the noodles into a few sections so they're not crazy long.  Mix the dressing ingredients in a large bowl, (or throw it all in a blender) Combine dressing, noodles and veggies and stir to combine.  You can top them with additional chopped peanuts and/or scallions, if you'd like. 

* Native Forest coconut milk is in BPA free cans and is organic! 

Hi,
I am offering a special rebate to any Bauman Students or Grads to purchase any Multipure Drinking Water System from me and get a $25 rebate. There is also a special on now to get a free shower head filter with your order! That's $75 in added value.

I also offer a $25 referral bonus for any Bauman Students or Grads that refer customers to me who purchase a Multipure Drinking water System.

Please freel free to contact me if you have any questions, or are interested in becoming a distributor. I am taking a leave of absence so please contact me at number or e-mail listed below,

David Zwicker
davidrzwicker@yahoo.com
415-309-5036

Cannellini Beans & Chickpea Hummus                           By Katie Biehler                               Serves 6

Ingredients
2 cups cooked cannellini beans                                       
1 cup cooked chickpeas beans
1 garlic clove  
2 Tbl tahini
1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 cup vegetable stock
1 Tbl fresh lemon juice
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp. smoked paprika

Directions
 1. Puree all of the ingredients in a food processor and chill.
Serve as a dip with assorted fresh vegetables and whole grain pita bread.

Smoked Turkey & Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Fresh Pesto
By Katie Biehler
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 loaf fresh sourdough bread, sliced into sandwich slices
½ pound thinly sliced smoked turkey breast
2 large red bell peppers, cut into medium panels
2 medium onions, cut into thick rounds
2 medium zucchinis, cut into medium panels
2 medium tomatoes, sliced into 4 slices each
1 ½ cups arugula
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Pesto
2.5 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
Large pinch of red pepper flakes
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup vegetable stock
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Lightly brush red bell peppers, onions, zucchini with salt and pepper, and generously season with salt and pepper. Place on 2 parchment lined baking sheets and place in oven. Roast for 30-40 minutes, turning once.
3. While vegetables are roasting, prepare pesto.
4. Place basil, pine nuts, garlic, and red pepper flakes into a food processor and pulse into a coarse consistency. Add vegetable stock, and pulse again. Scrape down sides of the bowl. With the motor running, pour the olive oil into top of food processor in a steady stream. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste, and set aside until vegetable are done roasting.
5. Spread a generous amount of pesto on 4 slices of bread. Divide the turkey breast, roasted vegetables, tomato slices, and arugula evenly and place on bread. Cut sandwiches in half and enjoy.

The Eating for Health model appreciates both saturated and unsaturated fats from organically grown plants and  pasture raised animals. Most conventional nutrition programs that I know of that offer MS in Nutrition or offer Registered Dietitian trainings are not as organically oriented as Bauman, nor are they likely to recognizing the benefits of whole, unprocessed, saturated fats such as organic butter, lard or coconut.

I am starting Bauman in the Fall and am looking for an apartment or house share in East Bay. I am currently in San Francisco with two roommates, however, we have to move at the end of Sept. I would prefer an Oct 1st move in and my budget is $900 or less.  If anyone has an available room or any leads, please send them my way.

Thanks!
jenni
503.453.5486
jgrishman@gmail.com

I would be very interested in any answers to this question from someone representing the College or any grads.  If I may share an opinion, I believe that mainstream conventional wisdom touting a low fat, low cholesterol diet has grossly missed the mark.  I have also observed a subtle tolerance of this convention from "alternative" health advisors who champion plenty of "healthy" fats (omega this and that).  This seems a tacit admission that saturated fats are unhealthy.  I am strongly considering applying to the nutritional counselling program, but it would be nice to know that good ol' lard, bone marrow, butter, coconut oil, etc are not going to be demonized.  I just don't find any evidence to support such a position.  (Of course, I can certainly make a case against consuming heavily processed fats, damaged fats, and fats from animals raised by unnatural, unhygienic, and inhumane means.)

Perhaps it is I that am way off the mark though!

Is anybody able to comment on this?

Thanks!

Orrin Ahola