BREAST DEFENSE
Measures for preventing and detecting the second scariest cancer in women.
Breast cancer hovers at the top of the list of concerns in female health, responsible for more than 40,000 deaths a year. Few of those at risk are aware that by adopting some nutritional suggestions, we may be able to lower the frequency and aggressiveness of future breast cancer cases.
Breast cancer is a stranger to no one. It gathers media attention as we continue to devote much effort to defeating this life-threatening illness. Though screening and treatment of this particular disease are very important, it may surprise many to learn that it is actually the fifth leading cause of death behind heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and respiratory illness [1]. The fear of breast cancer should not overshadow an awareness of heart or vascular disease, the leading causes of death. Fortunately, there are steps to prevent both cancer and heart disease simultaneously.
Simply eating five fruits and vegetables a day can aid in the prevention of chronic illness, yet only 25 percent of Americans actually achieve this intake [2]. Eliminating refined sugars found in beverages and processed foods can have a dramatic impact on the body. The overconsumption of sweets might be one of the leading contributors to chronic illness such as breast cancer [3].
Age and weight are two major variables in determining breast cancer risk. As a woman ages, her chances of getting the disease get higher [8]. Obviously, age is not something we can prevent. That makes managing other risk factors that much more important. Many doctors fear that the poor lifestyle habits of developed nations, like the United States, are a leading cause of high rates of chronic disease. Smoking and poor diet have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer [9].
Weight may be one of the most important controllable risk factors. Multiple studies have documented the connection between obesity and breast cancer risk [12,13,14]. This is most pronounced after menopause [12]. Increased physical activity, improved diet and weight loss are proven to substantially reduce the risk of breast cancer, additional chronic diseases and cancer recurrence [10,11].
Vitamin D is a powerful yet cost-effective tool for breast cancer prevention. In recent years, research has shown vitamin D at inexpensive doses can help prevent many types of cancer, including breast [4]. The nutrient seems to work through multiple mechanisms to help aid the body against cell mutations [5]. You can even get it for free from the sun by exposing the skin for 10-15 minutes daily, or take it in supplement form.
Many other nutrients are available to help strengthen the body to fight breast cancer. What supplements a person should take will depend on how significant cancer is in their family history and also how aggressive they want to be. Ideally, the nutrients listed below should be combined with a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables for optimal protection.
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C is extracted from broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables. It helps the body by blocking pathways in the body’s detoxification system that may lead to more toxic forms of estrogen [6]. It is commonly taken at 250-500 mg daily, with higher doses for those who have had breast cancer.
Diindolylmethane (DIM). DIM is actually extracted from I3C, helping the body in a similar fashion. Dosage is 100-300 mg daily.
Multivitamin. This is listed mainly for the B vitamins like folic acid, B-12, B-6 and zinc, which are needed to help protect our DNA.
Calcium D-glucarate. This nutrient helps the body remove unwanted estrogens and other potential toxins that it's no longer using or that might have been ingested [7]. Dosage is 200-400 mg daily.
Fish oils. Fish oils provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids that counterbalance the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids we ingest through our diet. Dosage is typically 1,500 mg total of EPA plus DHA.
Vitamin D. Dosage can vary by the needs of the patient, but typically is 1,000 IU daily taken in addition to a multivitamin.
Along with these measures, all women should discuss with their physician when and how frequently they should be considering mammogram examinations.
There are two hormones that may be associated with this disease. Previous research has demonstrated that women low in progesterone during their childbearing years had significantly higher rates of breast cancer [15]. Women low in progesterone can experience problems with fertility or significant PMS symptoms. Having these symptoms earlier in life may dictate whether these women will need to be more aggressive with their diet, exercise and supplementation.
Women should also be tested for proper thyroid function. Some research has indicated that higher rates of thyroid disease may be present in breast cancer patients [16]. Iodine is one of the key minerals needed for proper thyroid function and has been proven toxic to breast cancer cells. Most women will not need treatment for their thyroid gland, but it is important that any symptoms of low function be evaluated for potential problems. Other nutrients needed to support the thyroid include selenium and zinc, which will be in most multivitamins.
Breast cancer has long kept patients in fear, often with a sense of helplessness. By actively pursuing a healthy lifestyle, women may be better able to protect their bodies from the disease that has claimed so many.
References:
1. CDC Web site. Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (www.seer.cancer.gov) SEER*Stat Database: Mortality – All COD, Public-Use With State, Total U.S. (1969–2004), National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, Cancer Statistics Branch, released April 2007. Underlying mortality data provided by NCHS (www.cdc.gov/nchs).
2. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System CD-ROM (1984-1995, 1996,1998) and Public Use Data Tape (2000), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001.
3. Grant, W.B. (1998). Milk and other dietary influences on coronary heart disease. Alternative Medicine Review, (4):281-94.
4. Lappe, JM. (2007). Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, Recker RR, Heaney RP. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr, 85(6):1586-91.
5. Lowe, L., Hansen, CM., Senaratne, S., Colston, KW. (2003). Mechanisms implicated in the growth regulatory effects of vitamin D compounds in breast cancer cells. Recent Results Cancer Res, 164:99-110.
6. Sundar, SN. (2006). Indole-3-carbinol selectively uncouples expression and activity of estrogen receptor subtypes in human breast cancer cells. Mol Endocrinol, 20(12):3070-82.
7. Author not listed. (2002). Calcium-D-glucarate. Altern Med Rev, 7(4):336-9.
8. Data are from 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries covering 25% of the U.S. population. Age-specific data are not available for women over 95 years old. SEER Fast Stats, National Cancer Institute. Available on cdc.gov.
9. Fung, TT. (2005). Dietary patterns and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.
Int J Cancer, 116(1):116-21.
10. Haydon, AM., Macinnis, R., English, D., et al. (2005). The effect of physical activity and body size on survival after diagnosis with colorectal cancer. Gut, 1:62–7.
11. Lee, IM. (2003). Physical activity and cancer prevention--data from epidemiologic studies. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 35(11):1823-7.
12. Huang, Z., Willett, W.C., Colditz G.A. (1999). Waist circumference, waist:hip ratio, and risk of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study. Am J Epidemiol, 150:pp 1316-1324.
13. Petrelli, J.M., Calle E.E., Rodriguez C. (2002). Body mass index, height, and postmenopausal breast cancer mortality in a prospective cohort of US women. Cancer Causes Control, 13:pp 325-332.
14. Li, Z. (2005). Health ramifications of the obesity epidemic. Surg Clin North Am, 85(4):681-701.
15. Cowan, LD., et al. (1981). Breast cancer incidence in women with a history of progesterone deficiency. Am J Epidemiology, 114:209-217.
16. Giani, C. (1996). Relationship between breast cancer and thyroid disease: relevance of autoimmune thyroid disorders in breast malignancy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 81(3):990-4.
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