Prevention is really the answer to winning the
war on breast cancer.
What you are about to read are the scientifically proven methods of dramatically reducing your risk of breast cancer.
Recent studies have identified a superstar of breast cancer prevention – vitamin D.
Women with higher levels of vitamin D have a reduced cancer risk of 50% or more for most cancers including breast. Vitamin D protects against cancer by helping the body regain control over genes that regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis (death of defective cells). These three types of processes: proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are key factors in the development of cancer. Without a sufficient level of vitamin D the expression of the genes that regulate these processes become defective and cancer can develop.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of vitamin D.
There are many studies that demonstrate women with higher levels of vitamin D have significantly lower rates of breast cancer. In 2007, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was published that showed after four years of vitamin D supplementation with calcium a 60% decrease in all cancers was attained, compared to the placebo group. On further analysis of the data, eliminating those diagnosed in the first year of the study (since they already had the cancer before taking vitamin D), the reductions were 77%. These are absolutely astounding numbers!
Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because our skin converts sunlight to vitamin D. If you regularly sunbathe or use a tanning bed you may have enough vitamin D. If not the only way to get an adequate amount is to take vitamin D supplements. And the only way to know if you’re taking enough vitamin D is to be tested. The blood test for vitamin D is 25, hydroyvitamin D. An optimal level is 60 to 80 and some say 60 to 100. Getting to those levels is likely to take 5,000 to 10,000 iu’s a day. Some of us, me included, don’t absorb vitamin D well and need a special form called sublingual vitamin D. My favorite comes from Superior Source and can be found in nearly any health food store. Bottom line…supplement with vitamin D and get your levels checked at least once a year.
There are additional strategies that lower our risk of breast cancer.
A study published in a major cancer journal, February, 2007 determined you can reduce your risk of invasive breast cancer by 23% by doing six hours of strenuous exercise a week. Exercise is also known to lower risks of heart disease, likely by the same mechanism – lowering insulin and leptin levels.
Studies have also shown a direct link between cancer risk and what we eat.
Women who eat red meat have higher rates of breast cancer. I believe the threat lies not only with the meat, but in how it’s cooked. There is no question that cooking at high temperatures (whether frying, broiling or barbecuing) produces cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines. The addition of vitamin E, and fruits like blueberries to your diet inhibits the effects of these chemicals. We should all eat less red meat, high fat dairy, and sugary foods and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Soy isoflavones are linked to decreased risk of both breast and prostate cancers.
That said, soy is a very controversial subject. Most of the soy we consume in America is genetically modified and very different from the soy grown and consumed in the Far East. My suggestion – if you eat soy, consume fermented soy products like Natto.
Fruit promotes the detoxification of carcinogens.
A substance found in fruits called D-glucarate promotes the detoxification of carcinogens as well as estrogen, thereby lowering cancer risk. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower have compounds that help prevent numerous cancers, including breast cancer. Indole-3-carbinol and DIM are the specific compounds that alter estrogen metabolism in a positive way, specifically by altering the ratio of the dangerous 16-alpha hydroxyestrone to the more protective 2-hydroxyestrone. (That is likely more detail than you want or need.)
Flaxseed also promotes healthy metabolism of estrogen as does DIM.
Dietary lignans from fruits, vegetables and grains (especially flaxseed) also promote healthy metabolism of estrogen, as well as inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessel growth that feeds the cancer), and induce self-destruction of cancer cells (apoptosis). DIM, diindolemethane, from cruciferous vegetables, raises the good estrogens, the 2-hydroxy estrogens and lowers the “bad” estrogens, the 16-hydroxy estrogens. So eat your cruciferous veggies, lightly cooked or raw is best.
If you supplement with DIM use 100 to 200 mg per day with a meal. All of the substances mentioned in this article can be bought in supplement form.
Resveratrol, found in red grapes and red wine, offers several medical benefits.
The Journal of Carcinogenesis has found that Resveratrol helps to prevent breast cancer by reducing cellular proliferation and increasing apoptosis in mammary cells. Resveratrol is a substance found in red grapes and red wine. The scientific world is very excited about this substance because, in addition to cancer prevention, it has potent anti-aging properties and protects against heart disease as well.
Organic selenium has potent anti cancerous properties.
Selenoexcell is a high selenium yeast that I recommend ( cheap too). Not all selenium is the same so stick with an organic form. Recent studies have shown that curcumin, green tea and pomegranate have anti-cancer effects. As a side note I’m a huge fan of pomegranate for it benefits to the heart and vascular system.
Iodine has Anti-Cancer Properties.
Iodine has been shown to cause apoptosis (or cell death) in breast and thyroid cancer cells. Iodine also functions as both a strong antioxidant as well as an oxidant in the body. This dual effect makes it a potent anticancer substance.
Vitamin K plays a signifcant role in cancer prevention as well as treatment.
There is compelling clinical evidence as well as published laboratory science regarding vitamin K’s role in preventing as well as treating a variety of cancers. The science shows multiple pathways vitamin K can be helpful in treating cancer. There are 2 types of vitamin K2, MK-4 and MK-7, (short and long term acting) you need both. It’s difficult to get enough K in the foods we eat. I suggest you get 2000 mcgs. Life extension foundation has a Super K I personally use. www.LEF.org
On a side note vitamin K is essential to keep calcium in your bones and out of your vascular system. This means vitamin K is vitally important in fighting osteoporosis and vascular disease.
Estrogen, Progesterone and Breast Cancer.
I can’t leave out a brief discussion of estrogen and progesterone and their role in breast cancer. Estrogen causes cell growth and proliferation. You may hear that you should avoid taking natural estrogen and progesterone because of fears of breast and other cancers. However, there are major benefits from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. It is my opinion the benefits far outweigh the potential hazards but, the final decision of natural hormone replacement is up to the individual.
I’m definitely opposed to the use of synthetic hormones, those that are foreign to your body. It is well documented that too much estrogen, whether natural or synthetic is a problem. Be aware that there are also chemicals in our environment that act like estrogens in our bodies called xeno estrogens that contribute to estrogen dominance. Plastic water bottles and containers contain these chemicals. Never microwave in plastic and don’t freeze your water bottles, as this causes these chemicals to leach out into the water or foods we consume.
The late John Lee, MD was an advocate for the use of natural progesterone for women, particularly those over 40. His study of the scientific literature and his decades of clinical experience led him to the inescapable conclusion that natural progesterone was very protective against breast cancer as well as osteoporosis. He recommended using 20 to 25 milligrams of progesterone cream a day for 20 to 25 days a month for those women that no longer made progesterone or were not making enough. He also recommended using salivary hormonal testing to determine how much free progesterone and estrogen was circulating in the body. When your doctor orders a blood test for these hormones the total amount of these hormones are measured, and that includes the inactive form that is bound to something called a sex hormone binding globulin. (I know, I know that’s way more information than you need but some of you want all the reasoning behind these recommendations. )
It’s the free estrogens and progesterone that are important and the salivary tests determine that. Free progesterone is important for a number of reasons one being that it neutralizes or balances estrogens in the body. I encourage you to read his books “ What your doctor may not tell you about breast cancer”and “What your doctor may not tell you about menopause” and more. His website is www.johnleemd.com
Avoid chemicals and harmful substances in our environment.
There are an outrageous number of chemicals in our environment to which we are exposed on a regular basis. Pesticides and cleaning agents should be used carefully. Always use heavy-duty rubber gloves in a well ventilated area when using cleaning agents or pesticides. These substances can be absorbed right through your skin. Even personal care products such as perfumes, skin lotions and anti-perspirants may contain harmful substances.
A known carcinogen we are all exposed to are EMF’s. Certain frequencies of electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been shown to cause cancer as well as a host of other symptoms from chronic fatigue to asthma. Some of us are very electro-sensitive. For more on this visit www.dirtyelectricityusa.com.
Reduce your exposure to dangerous electromagnetic fields.
EMF’s are electromagnetic fields, sometimes referred to as dirty electricity. They do cause cancer and a host of other problems.
Robert O. Becker, MD author of Cross Currents and The Body Electric stated “the greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields. I consider that to be far greater on a global scale than global warming”. We are all surrounded by these fields and about half of us have some symptoms and for some it’s cancer. For me it was high blood sugar. By removing these dangerous frequencies with Graham/Stetzer filters my blood sugar levels dropped 20 points and returned to normal within 3 days.
There are excellent websites on the subject. www.Stetzerelectric.com and www.dirtyelectricityusa.com are worth visiting. I highly recommend the book by Donna Fisher called Dirty Electricity and Electromagnetic Radiation. You can check your own home for elevated levels by using a Graham/Stetzer meter. Levels should be under 25. I’ve never seen a home without filters that was in this range. Our electrical appliances, computers, TV’s, compact fluorescent lights, dimmer switches and other electrical gadgets create these dangerous fields. I can’t encourage you enough to check out your home and work environment and reduce your exposure.
A sound breast cancer prevention plan utilizes numerous strategies.
We have learned that the aging process itself is the cause of most cancers due to the accumulation of genetic mutations that regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. A sound prevention plan utilizes nutritional strategies that favorably effect gene expression. The strategy that gives you the most “bang for your buck” is the optimal intake of vitamin D. Changing to a more plant based diet and reducing your intake of well-done red meat is the next step. The specific compounds in foods that reduce risk of breast cancer are I3C, DIM, lignans, D-glucarate, and soy isoflavones. Six hours a week of strenuous exercise and avoidance of cancer causing chemicals and reducing your exposure of dangerous EMF’s in your environment round out my recommendations.
Taking active steps to prevent breast cancer does not completely protect you – you should also be screened regularly.
If you add it all together, implementing all these strategies would likely reduce your risk of breast cancer by around 90% and maybe more. Taking active steps to prevent breast cancer does not completely protect you.
