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October 1, 2008
Athena, goddess of wisdom.
"When a woman senses that there is a mythic dimension to something she is undertaking, that knowledge touches and inspires deep creative centers in her."
- Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD
from Goddesses in Everywoman
 The ancient city of Athens was named after a goddess. This goddess, Athena, was known for her wisdom, practicality, and strategies in war. She was always depicted as a stunningly beautiful woman, dressed in armor. She was typically poised, spear in one hand, shield in the other, ready for war but calmly devising strategies that would avoid conflict and, thus, protect and preserve the citizens of Athens.
If I had to choose a Greek goddess as a patron for the Breast Health & Healing Foundation, it would certainly be Athena. As a breast cancer surgeon, I have been dressed in the “armor” of the war waged against breast cancer in the operating room. The scrubs, the mask, the gloves and the surgical instruments are my battle gear and weapons. Fortunately, my many patients and I have enjoyed a multitude of victories in the operating theatre. In general, I perform 50% more lumpectomies for early-stage breast cancer than other surgeons (in my hospital, in my state, and in the country) – and my patients have benefited from much better than average disease-free survival statistics. Saving breasts and saving lives has been my mantra. But despite these many victories, my patients, and I would rather not have to fight these battles!
So, what can we do to prevent the need for battle against breast cancer? Avoid birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Do not smoke. Avoid alcohol. Exercise moderately at least four hours per week. Maintain ideal body weight and avoid excess and empty calories. ALL OF THESE INTERVENTIONS ARE KNOWN (PROVEN) TO REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER! These are strategies in the war against breast cancer that I believe Athena would fully support. The wise woman will adhere to them as much as possible.
As we at the Breast Health & Healing Foundation move into our sixth month as the first Foundation devoted exclusively to the discovery of the CAUSES of breast cancer, I would like to invoke the mythology of Athena to inspire all women to join me in developing strategies to avoid the battlefield of breast cancer as much as possible. This is the wisest strategy, and I firmly believe we can make it work.
Think of yourselves as women of Athena. Be inspired. Be brave. Choose wisely: breast cancer is, in many cases, a preventable disease.
Regards,
Kathleen T. Ruddy, MD
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