Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As most know, this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Practically every magazine, talk show, news show or newspaper will provide information regarding breast cancer. What amazes me each October, however, is the continued focus on the treatment of breast cancer, rather than prevention. Yes, we know about the importance of mammograms and self-breast examinations. Yes, we know a gene has been discovered that is linked to breast cancer (although this in NO way implies, you will automatically get breast cancer). Yes, we know radiation and surgical treatments are improving and become less invasive. But the bottom line is that early detection and treatment of breast cancer is in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, a means to prevent breast cancer. So, let’s talk about prevention. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Adipose tissue (fat) manufactures estrogen in the body and breast cancer is an estrogen dependent tumor. Therefore the more fat cells you have, the more estrogen you make and the higher chances you have for developing an estrogen dependent tumor. 30 minutes per day is best.

2. Keep your BMI below 30. After menopause, obese women (over 30 BMI) have double the risk of breast cancer compared to women with a normal BMI. Drop the weight. Food just isn’t worth dieing for, is it?

3. Your diet is the KEY. Eats lots and lots of cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and brussel sprouts, contain a substance called "indole-3-carbinol". This substance is a proven anti-oxidant and improves the detoxification of estrogen in the body. Flax seed and soy products are also important in balancing hormones in the female body.

4. Take Vitamin D. Many studies are linking Vitamin D deficiency with increased breast cancer risk. Take 1000 IU’s of Vitamin D3 daily.

5. Reconsider HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). After Prempro, the synthetic hormone prescribed to help alleviate menopause symptoms, was linked to breast cancer, all women now seriously consider their HRT options. Synthetic hormones are exactly that – synthetic. That means they are man-made and they don’t match the estrogens and progesterone that our own female bodies manufacture. Ask your doctor about "bio-identical" hormones and if they are right for you. And any hormone use, bio-identical or synthetic, should be re-evaluated frequently and used for as short of duration as possible. Remember menopause is not a disease but a natural transition of the female body.

6. Although family history of breast cancer is a risk factor – it is not your destiny. Your mind set is probably the single most important deterrent of cancer that your body has. Believe that your body has the power to heal, and IT WILL.

So begin your own prevention program….. and start TODAY

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