I'm venturing into dangerous territory: I am not writing a sappy story about breast cancer survival. In fact, I am doing the opposite, for the mental and physical health of breast cancer survivors everywhere. I am calling for a hiatus on the fear-mongering and sympathy. If I were making the rules for media, I would allow only breast cancer stories about achievements, health research results, and medical breakthroughs. There. I feel better already.

Regardless of how self-assured people behave "on the outside," there is always more of a struggle within.  This is particularly the case with cancer survivors.  The survivor in me wants to forget about cancer and live a life without thinking about it in reference to me.  The psychologist/scientist in me wants to study survivors and determine if some mental or emotional toughness, immunity, or fortune distinguishes those of us who survive more than 5 years past the diagnosis.  The mother in me knows I cannot forget that my own mother died of it 14 years after her first diagnosis, and that I shall never rest easy until both my adult daughters pass menopause without a breast cancer diagnosis -- that's a VERY long time from now.

I am on vacation, but I never take a vacation from good health.  Last night, before turning in, I tuned in to Greta van Susteren's visit to The Cleveland Clinic.  (If you weren't able to view it live, visit her website, gretawire.)

Folic acid (supplement form of folate) is a vitamin most commonly associated with pregnancy.  Its importance in cancer treatment and cognitive functions for surviving cancer are becoming increasingly apparent.  Folic acid deficiency is likely to be a major contributor to the disorder we know as chemo brain.

Why you need folate/folic acid if you are a cancer survivor:

• Helps form and maintain new cells (this is why many chemotherapies deplete it)
• Needed to make DNA and RNA, and helps to preserve DNA changes that can lead to cancer
• Needed in the formation of normal red blood cells
• Helps prevent anemia
• Helps maintain normal levels of the amino acid homocysteine (cardiovascular disease is associated with elevated levels)
• Needed by hippocampus (brain structure) for new cells and memory
• Deficiencies associated with cognitive problems and decline, and some cancers

Chemotherapy side effects: Certain chemotherapies deplete folate

The radio waves, at least in Richmond, VA, are being bombarded with Tylenol commercials after the FDA has been evaluating warning labels and new safety limits.  "The name you trust." "Trust the label that doctors and hospitals have trusted for more than 50 years."  Ostensibly, the commercials are encouraging people to use the Tylenol brand, and not generics.  But the commercials carry the primary message that Tylenol is safe, which, depending upon your situation, may not be true.

The IP-6 article published (under Articles) on this site last week inspired me to comment and blog about it.  I am a one-person case study for this supplement, which has a good reputation in the supplement community.

The most difficult aspect of chemo brain, at least for me, was that I seemed to allow my entire day to drift by without realizing it-- a symptom of excessive "slow brain waves."  I believe this is the "mental fog" so many chemotherapy and cancer survivors complain about.  It's definitely troubling to wonder where your entire day "went." 

Social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, not to mention the many ways that Internet users can vote on stories, just might save lives and perform the task informally that government agencies and foundations should be doing.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:   New study reported at ASCO shows increased risk of relapse for breast cancer survivors taking certain antidepressants.  See the new article here.  I urge every survivor taking antidepressants to read the article and the original study and discuss it with your doctor.