Breast cancer is occurring at an alarming rate in the younger population of women especially along the west coast of North America. I believe that if women take some active preventive measures that they may decrease the chance of occurrence. Breast cancers occurring in the mid thirties age range are more aggressive and even more reason for a woman to adopt preventive measures. The following recommendations are not based on final outcome research but on research accumulated over the last few years implicated in nutritional impact on free radical damage, the impact the environment has on human health, and how nutrition can modulate DNA expression for a positive outcome.
Three factors that are guaranteed to increase your risk of breast cancer is you're a woman, you're growing older, and you're living in a wealthy country.
One of five breast cancers occur in pre-menopausal women between the ages of 30-49. After the age of 60, one in 20 women will get breast cancer. 70% of breast cancer patients have no family history or other risk factors. Only 5% of women have the gene for breast cancer.
Most breast lumps are found by the women herself while rolling over in bed, bathing or making love. However, being familiar with your body and performing monthly Breast Self Exams (BSE),is an important aspect of self care and provides a baseline for future comparison should a problem develop. If you who are comfortable with your body you are the best examiner of your breasts rather than relying on a clinician who examines you once a year! Approach the BSE with health promotion and a sense of nurturing in mind rather than fear.
The best time to do the BSE is during or the week after your period. At this time the hormone levels in your body are at the lowest levels and lumpiness of the breast will be at a minimum. Most women have lumpy breasts to a degree so it is important to compare the breasts and make sure the lumps are symmetrical. If they are not have them evaluated by a physician. With one arm under your head palpate the same side breast in a consistent manner so that all areas of the breast are checked. Also check the lymph tissue under the arm feeling for tenderness and swelling. Squeeze the nipples looking for any discharge and also look at your breasts in a mirror looking for change in the nipple, contour and size. If you have large breasts lean over and let your breasts hang looking for changes in contour.
Cyclic breast pain associated with fibrocystic breast lumps may bear some relationship to breast cancer. Having this monthly symptom makes it even more imperative to do the monthly BSE to become familiar with what is normal for you.
Mammograms are another controversial issue being recommended by some clinicians as a yearly screening device for women over the age of 40. The controversy arises because the 40-50 year old breast is still quite dense and makes it more difficult to find lumps on mammogram and then to be diagnosed with a suspicious lump and after biopsy found to be negative. Dr. Miller at the University of Toronto does say that in this age range mammography has no demonstrable benefit, though it does in older women. In Europe the recommendation is yearly after the age of 50. There has also been evidence that the procedure is physically traumatic to the breast and along with the radiation exposure, can cause cell damage that increases the risk of developing breast cancer. I recommend that every woman get a baseline mammogram at some point between the age of 40-50 years of age depending on their breast lumpiness. Thereafter certainly if there is a lump that they are concerned about and mammograms every two years after the age of 50 IF you are doing your monthly BSE's.
There is alarming evidence that 70% of the risk of getting breast cancer is from the environment. Drinking chlorinated water may increase breast, colon and rectal cancers according to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (85:8,1993;86:8,1994).Countries such as Israel have banned carcinogen pesticides: benzene, hexachloride, lindane, and DDT, and have seen a 30% decrease in breast cancer rates between 1976- 1986, in women 44 years and younger. The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States has identified two chemicals with cancer causing potential which are formed when chlorine reacts with organic material in the water.
Most North American adults carry residues of DDT in their bodies and children are exposed to it through mother's milk.
Hormone Therapy: ERT, HRT and BCP all increase risk by increasing total lifetime exposure to estrogen.
Other environmental risks factors are those estrogen like environmental chemicals (xenoestrogens) such as PCB's and hormone laced commercial food products (such as growth hormone) which the body identifies as estrogen and reacts to it as such. For example studies have been done with microwaving food in plastic containers and the food is found to be laced with these estrogen like chemicals! These xenoestrogens accumulate in the fatty tissues of the body where they may remain for decades and are often mobilized from the fat stores into the breast milk of lactating women.
Nutrition and Cancer Prevention
Low fat diets with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and
fibre rich whole grain foods, soy foods and legumes are
recognized by government and leading health organizations as
being extremely protective. Obese women or those who consume high
fat diets tend to have higher levels of circulating estrogens and
are at an increased risk for breast cancer.
Lignans are fibres that are absorbed in the gut after ingesting such foods as seeds and whole grains. They interfere with estrogenic activity acting like natures tamoxifen but without the risks. It also increases plasma sex hormone-binding globulin (thus reducing estrogen's bioavailability), and decreases the availability of androgens which are converted in the body to estrogen. Breast cancer patients excrete lower levels of urinary lignans than healthy women do and is due in part to a low fibre diet. The best source of lignans are flaxseeds which are best ingested after they have been freshly ground. They can be added to salads, cereals, and sauteed vegetables. Take no more than 2-3 tsps at once as it can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Essential fats such as Omega 6 found in evening primrose oil and borage oil, and Omega 3 found in flaxseed and fish oils are an important component of cellular function and have an overall inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells. Int J Cancer 1998;76:491-44
Processed trans fatty acids found in margarines and creams cheeses, as well as partially hydrogenated cooking oils found in all junk food pose significant health risks. Omega 3 oils can also be found in dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Sesame and olive oils are customary in Mediterranean countries where the breast cancer rate is low.
Fermented soy products such as tempeh, miso, tamari; and lentils are high in phytoestrogens which unlike animal sources bind with estrogen receptor sites in the body and protect the body from xenoestrogens and excess circulating estrogens in the body.
Organic produce is free of pesticide residues that can accumulate in fatty tissues in the body. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts; and dark green leafy greens such as kale, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, red and green cabbage, and collards; and mineral rich sea vegetables such as nori, wakame, kelp and dulse are particularly cancer preventive foods. They up regulate certain liver detoxification enzymes, are important in the metabolism of estrogen, and aid in the removal of carcinogens. Eat 1/2 a cup once or twice a day.
Protein levels in your diet are best determined using your blood type and blood chemistries. Based on the information in Dr.
D'Adamo's book "Eat Right For Your Type", protein requirements vary depending on your blood type. It is however important to make sure your source of meat is organic, lean, and free range to lower the intake of unwanted hormones, antibiotics and pesticides residues in the meat.
Two alcohol drinks per week may raise your risk of breast cancer. Smoking is another risk factor for breast cancer.
The liver is crucial to breast health as it detoxifies the blood of impurities as well as inactivates the various hormones and excretes them in the bile. There are many ways of optimizing the health of the liver. One is to do a detoxification program biannually. There are many good programs on the market such as Sambu cleanse, Rasaya, and Wild Rose. Have your liver function checked by a naturopathic physician as they will detect imbalances before mainstream medicine will, using electrodiagnostic testing and/or blood chemistries. Liver supportive herbs such as burdock, yellow dock, dandelion, and milk thistle can be consumed as a tea or tincture on an intermittent basis to optimize the health of your liver. Receny research on milk thistle indicates that it is effective for breast cancer treatment.
Gut flora determine whether the hormones you excrete in the bile will be reactivated and then reabsorbed posing another threat to the breast health. Fibre interferes with this bacterial process and the unabsorbed estrogen can then be eliminated through the bowel. Women with two or fewer bowel movements per week had a 4.5 times the risk of precancerous breast changes than women who had bowel movements more than once per day. Maintaining healthy gut flora ratios is crucial to the overhealth of your body and taking a probiotic such as acidophilous or bifidus to help reseed healthy bacteria in the lower and upper intestinal tract is an essential part of a preventive program.
Red clover tea is a good source of phytoestrogens and has a preventive role in colon, cervix and breast cancers. ( Hoxey Formula is used by naturopathic physicians.)
Green tea has the polyphenols epigallocatechin (EGCG) and is 100 times more effective than Vit C and 25 times stronger than Vit E in protecting cells from oxidative damage. To achieve protection drink five or more cups a day without adding milk. Green tea is more protective for premenopausal women although in postmenopausal women they were more likely to be ER and PR positive which is associated with positive outcomes. Jpn J Cancer Res 1998;89:254-61
Vitamin C was found in 12 breast cancer/nutrition studies to reduce breast cancer 16% in premenopausal women and 37% in postmenopausal women. 2000mg per day is tolerated by most adults and is best taken in powder or capsule form. Watch for bowel intolerance and reduce dosage as necessary.
Carotene complex is a water soluble form of preformed Vit A which has been shown to be breast protective. 50,000 IU's per day preferably in a liquid source is provided by Scientific Botanicals and available from Naturopathic doctors. Carotenoid pigmentation of the skin will determine your tolerance. Many adults tolerate 150,000 IU's per day with no pigmentation changes. Those with compromised thyroid function will not absorb carotenes very well.
Selenium soil levels are particularly low in the Pacific Northwest, Florida, the Northeastern United States and the Great Lakes Region. Selenium is found in rice, fish and garlic. Supplementation is recommended at 200 micrograms per day. This mineral has not been found to correlate with breast cancer prevention or treatment but it is so helpful for prevention of lung, colon, rectal and prostate cancer that it is usually recommended as part of any cancer treatment and prevention program.
Vitamin E and breast cancer prevention studies are weak however it prevents against other diseases and reduces the risk of a nonfatal MI by 75%, so 400IU's per day is a conservative dosage in this case. In a recent trial Vit E at dosages of 800IU per day were effective in reducing hot flashes and after 9 weeks of the trial it was ended but symptoms were continuing to improve. J Clin Oncol 1998;16:495-500
Vitamin D supplementation is especially important in those climates with limited sunshine year round. 1,000IU's per day activated Vit D inhibits mammary cancer growth.
Calcium D Glucarate is found in the above cancer inhibiting foods which leads to the elimination of carcinogens in the body through the pathway of glucuronidation. It inhibits the initiation, promotion, and progression stages of chemical carcinogenises in different animal models. For general prevention take 1000mg per day; for family history of breast cancer take 3000mg a day, for breast cancer take 4000mg a day.
ProAlgen is an algae researched in Scandinavia since 1986 and has been indicated in the prevention of breast cancer by its effect on the fecal flora, and the binding and excretion of environmental pollutants: lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminum, copper, zinc, cobalt, and radium.
CoQ10 has been implicated in research for the treatment of breast cancer and because of its antioxidant effect and its affinity for the breast tissue warrants a small dose of 30mg a day as preventative. It is used in dosages of 400mgs a day to treat breast cancer.
Make sure you have optimal thyroid function. This is best determined by your basal body temperature which is obtained by averaging seven first morning axiliary temperatures. Refer to Dr. Broda Barnes book "Hypothyroidism". Subnormal levels of circulating free thyroxine and enlarged thyroid glands coincides with longer duration of ovulatory activity and increased breast cancer risk.
Reduce stress levels by regular meditation practices and taking into consideration emotional nurturing of the self in addition to fulfilling the female role of nurturing others. Refer to "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach and "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay.
Exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer through an influence on ovulatory hormones which may have an etiological role. Brisk walking and/or aerobic activity for 30 minutes three times a week has been proven to be most effective.
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