Basic Breast Health :: Health and Disease :: Cancer

> Health and Disease > Cancer > breast cancer

Basic Breast Health
by author RoseMarie Pierce, BSc (Pharm)

A plant-based diet, exercise, anti-oxidant supplements and staying lean are all necessary for healthy breasts.

Breast cancer is, by far, the most common cancer among North American women. There seems to be a link between this high incidence of breast cancer and the affluent lifestyle of Western countries. Diet is a big factor in this equation.

The development of fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer may be connected to an increased estrogen to progesterone ratio. During each menstrual cycle there is a recurring hormonal stimulation of the breast. In some women a significant inflammatory process occurs. The increasing amount of estrogen instructs the breast cells to work fast, multiplying the chances of mutation.

Tufts Diet Nutrition Letter, 1996, reports, "relatively heavy 50-some-thing women who have gained more than five kilograms since they were in their 40s have about triple the risk of breast cancer." Fat is thought to influence the metabolism and secretion of hormones, notably estrogen.

Cancer-causing pesticides, industrial chemicals from the environment and chemicals on (and in) food tend to accumulate in fatty tissue. These chemicals (called xenoestrogens) have estrogen-like properties and mimic the action of estrogen in the breast.

The incidence of breast cancer among vegetarian North American women is 20 to 40 per cent lower than among women in general. Vegetarian women have a lower concentration of estrogen in their blood and have more estrogen excreted in the feces than non-vegetarian women. Vegetarian women typically consume less fat and more fibre than non-vegetarians do. Fibre is a nutritional adhesive that carries estrogen along through the intestines and facilitates the fecal excretion of estrogen.

What You Can Do

Maintaining or recovering breast health can involve many lifestyle modifications and even a dietary program.

Four hours of exercise a week can reduce estrogen levels in the blood and cut breast cancer by 36 to 72 percent says J. Glaspy, MD of the UCLA Oncology Center.

Both benign breast symptoms (breast pain, lumps or cysts) and breast cancer would benefit from the following supplements.

Take a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement containing high levels of natural vitamin E or add vitamin E (400 to 800 international units) to your daily health program.

Studies have shown that many women benefit by taking the antioxi-dants vitamin E and A and selenium. Antioxidant nutrients are very important. They combat dangerous free radicals and help to maintain a strong immune system. Take 25,000 IU of a carotene complex and add extra lycopene (a carotenoid found in tomatoes that protects against cancer of the reproductive system). Another valuable antioxidant is alpha-lipoic acid, which acts synergistically with other antioxidants such as vitamin E, co-enzyme Q₁₀ and vitamin C. Lipoic acid exhibits favorable test results in studies of breast cancer treatment.

Our bodies do not make essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6). We must get these oils from our diet in the form of fish oils, nut and seed oils, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil or in a capsule supplement. When these essential fatty acids are low in our diet or not ingested in the right proportions, it causes the production of troublesome prostaglandins (a hormone-like complex fatty acid) which can promote tumor growth. Essential fatty acids reduce breast inflammation and swelling during PMS. Two to four teaspoonsful daily of the oil blends or three to six capsules of essential oils can provide the right proportions of the essential fatty acids for breast protection against cancer.

In recent studies, co-enzyme Q₁₀ has been shown to cause regression of breast tumors and prevent metastasis (spread of cancer) in some women. The dosage used in the studies was between 90 and 340 milligrams daily.

Soy isoflavones help to metabolize estrogen and have anticancer properties. Isoflavones exhibit weak estrogenic activity and bind to estrogen receptor sites (in breast and other tissues), reducing the effects of the much more potent estrogens and xenoestrogens. The best sources are organic dried beans, soy products, red clover, sage, garlic, fennel and licorice root. Isoflavones can also be taken in a supplement of 50 to 200 mg daily. Red clover is also a blood cleanser. There are many commercially available herbal remedies containing red clover and other blood cleansers that strengthen the immune system. Herbs, such as vitex (chasteberry) or red raspberry leaves, have hormonal balancing properties that can restore the estrogen-progesterone ratio.

RoseMarie Pierce is a registered pharmacist.

Source: alive #210, April 2000

Exposed Canadian Breasts at Risk
Canada has the world's highest extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields in residential areas. This includes the electric power frequency. And we have among the most elevated exposure for cellular phone and mast emissions. Not surprisingly, we also have the world's greatest incidence of breast cancer.

Prevent Breast Cancer
I'm glad for a scary experience I had 15 years ago. When a naturopath diagnosed an energy imbalance in my chest, I awaited my next visit in fear that it might be breast cancer.

Triumph Over Breast Cancer
Fifteen women die from breast cancer every day in Canada. But when Ontario resident Anne Brown was diagnosed in 1993, she refused to become a victim. Now, nine years later, her story remains a tribute to the power of a positive attitude and natural healing.

Breast Cancer Action Alert
"Only five to 10 per cent of breast cancers have a strong genetic component... Diet and lifestyle are very important factors, as are hormone balance, detoxification and emotional health.

Beating Breast Cancer
Dorothy Reece knows how to beat breast cancer. Reece, who now lives in Victoria, Canada, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1975, when she was 49 years old and going through an emotionally draining divorce.

Borage for Breasts
October is breast cancer awareness month and millions of Canadians will sport pink ribbons in support of breast cancer research. In the United Kingdom, however, not all women are wearing the pink ribbon; many are adorned with a pin of the borage flower.

Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer Naturally
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women ages 35 to 54 and our risk is rising. In 1960, one in 20 developed breast cancer; today one in eight women will get it. Of those who have breast cancer, one in four will die..

Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer Naturally
Early diagnosis is essential to acquiring fast and appropriate treatment for breast cancer, but it does not prevent breast cancer.

Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer Naturally
The first two thoughts most women have when they are diagnosed with breast cancer are "Will I die? and "Will I lose my breast? So frightening is the diagnosis of cancer that many people launch into treatment before exploring all of the options..

Life After Breast Cancer
Congratulations, you've beaten cancer! Now that you're free from surgery and radiation, with a clean bill of health, you may be pleased (or not) with the results of reconstructive surgery (if you had it).

Thermography
Breast thermography is an assessment tool used extensively as a first-line screening procedure to monitor breast health. Digital infrared cameras detect abnormal changes in blood circulation, which develop in order to feed solid-mass cancer tumours..

Seeing Deception Is Your Only Protection
Every October since 1985, the pink ribbon, symbol of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is seen everywhere. It is prominently displayed on TV ads, posters, and in women's magazines.

Cancer Diagnosis
A number of years ago one of the most popular songs on the radio instructed us to "don't worry, be happy. It was a nice sentiment-but we understand that life is not that simple. I fear that in writing this month's column on emotional health and breast cancer that it may sound like "don't worry, be happy. I assure you it isn't..

Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer
According to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, 21,600 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 5,300 women will die from it. With these statistics in mind, it is important

Soy for the Heart

Breast Cancer and Dioxins
Evidence has been mounting that man-made chemicals may be the underlying cause of many cases of breast cancer. Once ingested, these synthetic compounds mimic the action of estrogen-long considered to be a risk factor for breast cancer-and throw the hormone system into chaos.

Looking at Breast Cancer, Naturally
Breast cancer is, by far, the most common cancer among North American women. Along with conventional treatments, the following natural therapies can help you recover from breast cancer, or they can be used as preventive medicine.

Fighting Breast Cancer
Only recently have scientists discovered that melatonin is a powerful breast cancer fighter. It protects the body in several ways. Ensuring proper melatonin production is essential for breast cancer protection, as melatonin prevents the initiation of breast cancer, slows tumour growth, and prevents metastasis of tumours.

A little regret goes a long way

Moderate exercise pays off

Environmental Causes of Breast Cancer

Strength in Numbers

Moisten Up

Infrared Breast Scans

Breaking Down the Barriers

Hormone Help

New Treatments for Breast Cancer
A few years ago, I went to a lecture given by Dr. Ruth Heidrich, breast cancer survivor and author of A Race for Life (Lantern Books, 2000), and heard a story that completely changed my life.

Breast Cancer and the Environment
Many of us know someone - a mother, a daughter, a friend - who has faced breast cancer. Considering that one out of nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime, it's no wonder so many of us have been affected by this disease.

Take Charge of Your Breast Health
Conflicting information in the media makes it difficult to know how best to protect ourselves from breast cancer. Who should we believe? Which studies are actually true? What can we do to minimize our risk?

New Information to Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer Naturally
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers for women. Awareness and fundraising campaigns are everywhere, but many of us are still confused about how to translate cancer research into strategies that may prevent breast cancer. In this article, discover cancer-fighting foods and new screening techniques that can help prevent cancer naturally.

Breast Screening Options
In 2008 an estimated 22,400 Canadian women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with increased public awareness, the rate is still increasing. The numbers underline the importance of early detection and breast screening.