About Me

Hello

My name is Carolyn Russo.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2017, at the age of 45. Up until that point, I’d lived what I considered was a healthy lifestyle, so it was one heck of a shock to get my diagnosis! My breast cancer was an oestrogen positive one and after a mastectomy, reconstruction and monthly hormone implant treatments, I was advised by my oncologist to have my ovaries removed, to further reduce my on-going risk. While I was happy to be alive and cured, I also felt like my journey to date had left me feeling like a victim – my sense of control had been completely lost (& for someone who likes to be in control, this is unnerving!).

I started reading as much scientific research as I could, searching for ways to reduce the risk of this happening again, and to protect my young son and daughter. I discovered mutations of genes, probably the most well-known risk of breast cancer, only causes a small percentage of ALL cancers (about 5-10%). So what’s causing the rest? As I dug deeper I found research showing the various chemicals we come in contact with every day, through the common household products we all use, can interact to affect our bodies (and many of them are known or suspected carcinogens!!). It was a lightbulb moment for me! These products line the shelves of our local supermarkets, and department stores, or are sold on-line, and entice us to purchase them, despite the fact that they are not proven 100% safe. Ridiculous right?!! This goes well beyond just protecting our own health – these same toxics go on to cause havoc to our beautiful planet as well (a cause close to my heart).

Most importantly I discovered I can take back control of my health by being informed about what I’m exposing myself to every day. 

I can easily lower my exposure to the toxic substances in my life – this has become one of the key ways I’ve been reducing my and my family’s risk of illness. I became so passionate about raising awareness that I created For Us and Earth, to educate, empower and support:

  • Those who have been unwell eg from cancer or other diseases, and want to lower their risk of further illness;
  • Those who just want to stay healthy; and
  • EVERYONE who wants to live a better life. Afterall, just because you’re not sick doesn’t mean you’re healthy – I thought I was the healthiest I’d been in years right before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I’m hopeful that sharing my knowledge of how to reduce exposure to toxics through our everyday product choices, will empower you (regardless of whether or not you’ve had cancer) to make healthier choices for yourself – and for our planet (a win win!).

My Qualifications/Experience

I have a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and have worked for the past 17 years in the area of behaviour change (so I love reading and applying scientific research!). Since recovering from breast cancer, I have applied these skills and experience to the health and wellness area, in particular to educating and supporting others to reduce toxics in everyday products, and to swap to healthier choices. In 2020 I became a certified Low Tox coach (trained by Alexx Stuart of Low Tox Life).

What Motivates Me

I am motivated by:

  • A belief that everyone should be given the choice to be empowered to make informed decisions. That we all have the right to know what is in the products we use, and any research associated with its risk (however small);
  • The belief that we can all reduce our exposure to risk of the worst toxic chemicals, to protect ourselves, our families and the health of our planet from their harmful effects. I follow the Precautionary Principle, meaning if a product contains chemicals that have a suspected risk (through scientific studies) of causing harm to our health (or the health of our planet), I swap it for a more natural alternative;
  • The lack of testing by the chemical industry of how toxic substances can impact us and earth, especially when combined with other chemicals – chemicals can amplify each other’s effects when combined. Most people use more than one consumer product a day!;
  • The power of individuals to make small changes for big impacts – for our health and the health of our beautiful planet (which, let’s face it, needs a bit of TLC); and
  • The importance of scientific evidence-based research.

5 Easy Ways to Lower the Toxics
in your Life and Home

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