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Breast Cancer
Risk Assessment & Prevention
Compiled by Lisa Samet
Statistical Factors
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Age: 75% of all breast cancer occurs
in women over 50.
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Lifetime Exposure to Estrogen: Risk
increases with early menarche, no pregnancies, late menopause,
birth control pills, and estrogen therapy.
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Family History: Two close relatives
with pre-menopausal breast cancer increases risk.
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Lifetime Exposure to Radiation and Chemicals:
The greater the exposure to these factors, the greater the risk.
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Race: White women of European
extraction are at greater risk.
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Size: Larger women (in terms of
height and weight) are at greater risk.
Estrogenic Factors
The most validated risk factor for breast cancer is
estradiol exposure. The more menstrual cycles, the more
estradiol produced, and the greater the risk. Late onset of
menses, early menopause, pregnancy, and lactation reduce the number
of cycles and thus the risk.
Prior to this century, the average age of menarche
was 16-17, versus 11-12 currently. Five extra years of
estradiol production during the teen years (when breast tissue is
very sensitive to cancer initiators) significantly increases risk.
Further,
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women whose cycles are shorter than 25 days have
double the risk;
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using conventional animal estrogens or synthetic
hormone therapy for more than 5 years can nearly double the risk;
and
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if birth control pills have been used before the
first pregnancy, before the age of 20, or for more than 5 years
before the age of 35, risk is doubled or tripled.
Reproductive Factors
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The shorter the period between the onset of menses
and the first full-term pregnancy, the lower the risk of breast
cancer. Breast cells become completely matured via
pregnancy/lactation and become stabilized, and are therefore less
affected by menstrual cycle hormones and actually more resistant
to breast cancer.
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The longer one breastfeeds, the lower the risk for
(particularly pre-menopausal) breast cancer. Women who have
nursed for at least 3 months cut their risk by 25%.
Hereditary Factors
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Women whose mothers had breast cancer are almost
twice as likely to have it themselves. In general, the older
the mother when diagnosed, the lower the risk for the daughter.
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Your sibling's health has a greater relationship
to risk than your mother's: if your sister has breast
cancer, your risk goes up 2 1/2x, and if your brother has prostate
cancer, your risk goes up 4x.
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At higher risk are women with a genetic fault on
the BRCA-1 and -2 genes, lighter-skinned women of European
descent, and larger women: those who weigh more than 154 lbs
and are over 5'6" have a 3.6x greater risk than a woman under 132
lbs and below 5'3"; those with a waist-to-hip ratio over
0.81 have a 7-fold risk versus under 0.73. Post-menopausal
women who are 50 lbs+ overweight are 1.5 times more likely to
develop breast cancer.
Dietary Factors
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High-unsaturated-fat diets are linked to breast
cancer, in both the quantity and quality of fat. More fat
cells produce more estrogen. A high-fat diet promotes an
earlier menstrual cycle, which leads to more estrogen exposure.
Mice fed a high-fat diet produce offspring with a higher risk of
breast cancer. In terms of quality, most of the fats we
consume contain large amounts of organo-chlorides.
Hydrogenated fats (found in margarine) form trans-fatty acids
which are carcinogenic. Linoleic acid (found in nuts, corn
oil, and most margarine) speeds up the rate of growth of breast
cancers in mice when fed at levels from 8-50% of total dietary
fat.
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Women who eat red meat have twice the risk of
breast cancer as women who eat the same quantity of
fish/poultry/dairy.
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Alcohol increases risk. One-half to one
drink per day increases risk by 20%; 3 drinks increases risk
by 100%, because estrogen increases with alcohol consumption.
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Plastic from food storage containers leaches into
foods (especially when microwave-heated) and mimics
cancer-promoting estrogens. Breast cancer cells have been
demonstrated to grow in test tubes with these xenoestrogens.
Lifestyle Factors
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Smoking: Pre-menopausal women who smoke are
twice as likely to get breast cancer. Tobacco smoke contains
compounds from the chemical phosphates in fertilizers, and
combustion by-products from chlorine-bleached cigarette papers
which both initiate cancer.
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Women who regularly exercise reduce their risk by
at least a third. Exercise directly decreases estradiol
absorption, improves the immune response, and relieves stress.
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Constant exposure to light at night (nightlights,
street lights) reduces the production of melatonin. This
chemical is thought to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer
cells and increase the levels of naturally occurring antioxidants
in breast cells.
Environmental Factors
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Organochlorides -- from agricultural chemicals,
chlorinated water, and plastics -- are likely initiate and promote
breast cancer by mutating genes, altering breast cells so they
absorb more estradiol, suppressing the immune system, and
mimicking the effects of estrogen. Organochlorides are
chlorine-based chemicals, and dioxin, a by-product of chlorine
bleaching, is noted as a breast cancer promoter. Women with
high levels of agricultural organochlorides in their blood are
4-10x more likely to develop breast cancer; women with
breast cancer have been found to have 50-60% more
pesticides/organochlorides in their tissues than women without
breast cancer. Sources of these harmful chemicals are
chemical farming practices, drinking and bathing in chlorinated
water, bleached paper, and water pollution.
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Breast tissue is quite sensitive to radiation,
especially during the fertile years, and the risk of breast cancer
increases with exposure to radiation. Sources of radiation
are mammography; radioactive fallout from nuclear bomb
testing in Nevada between 1951-63; contaminated milk, meat,
fish, and vegetables; exposure to low-level radiation from
nuclear waste (since 1950, breast cancer deaths among women living
within 50 miles of nuclear plants have increased tenfold), and
other X-rays.
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Electromagnetic fields such as electrical
transmission lines, microwave towers, phone cables, and EMFs
(extra-low-frequency electromagnetic fields) have been
demonstrated to increase the risk of breast cancer by interfering
with cells' hormonal, enzymatic, and chemical signals, causing DNA
damage and switched-on oncogenes. EMFs also reduce
production of melatonin of which deficiencies are linked to
increased breast cancer. EMFs are produced by house wiring,
phone lines, computer terminals, TVs, refrigerators, hair dryers,
bedside clocks, electric blankets/appliances/lines, etc.
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Petrochemicals such as gasoline, kerosene,
formaldehyde, and benzene may be linked to breast cancer.
Breast cancer rates were 60% higher among post-menopausal women
living within 1/2 mile of a chemical plant on Long Island, New
York than rates in identical communities further from the plant.
More Lifestyle Factors
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Poor processing of emotions. Death of a
loved one has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
It is theorized that stored resentments, over-eagerness to please
others at the expense of one's own feelings and needs (which get
pushed inside), and buried anger are like cancer seeds.
Emotionally "difficult" cancer patients actually live longer and
have less recurrence.
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Habitual sunscreen users have very low levels of
Vitamin D, which is an anti-oxidant and inhibits the initiation
phase of breast cancer.
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Wearing a tight bra: In a study of 5,000
women, those who reported red marks and irritation were twice as
likely to develop breast cancer. Women who wore bras for
more than 12 hours a day increased their risk 6x. A tight
bra encircling the chest slows lymph fluid circulation, hinders
the immune response, and traps energy in the breasts.
Underwire bras are the worst offenders.
Breast Cancer Prevention
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Eat organically grown foods. Pesticides
collect in fatty tissue, and the breast can become a reservoir.
Pesticides can have an estrogenic effect. Avoid imported
produce, as it tends to be more heavily sprayed. Peel waxed
produce (such as apples and cucumbers).
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Eat foods which are high in fiber and anti-cancer
antioxidant compounds. Fiber binds to estrogen in the bowel
and eliminates it. Lignans, the best sources of which
are ground flax seeds or fresh oil, have anti-oxidant and
anti-cancer actions, block cancer-promoting Prostaglandins, and
are converted by colon bacteria into anti-estrogenic substances
that block all phases of the cancer cascade. Fruit,
especially apples, apricots, and figs (unsulphured), pineapple,
strawberries, grapes, and orange peel, provide not only fiber but
many anti-cancer compounds.
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Cruciferous vegetables contain the highest levels
of anti-cancer compounds. These compounds, such as
sulforaphane and glucaric acid (which interferred with mammary
cancer in rats), are present in broccoli, cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, cauliflower, radishes/daikon, and greens such as collard
and mustard.
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Soy products are quite rich in phytochemicals,
including genistein, which prevent the initiation and promotion of
breast cancer. Soy also protects against the effects of
radiation and chemicals: after exposure to x-rays, soy-fed
rats developed breast cancer only half as often as rats not eating
soy.
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Tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene, strongly
correlate with a lower risk of breast cancer.
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Helpful bacteria and fatty acids found in yogurt
inactivate the inflammatory prostaglandins and are superb for
blocking cellular changes that initiate the cancer cascade.
It is speculated that it is not the fat itself in yogurt that is a
problem, but the hormones, antibiotics, and organochlorides stored
in the fat. Stick to organic, hormone-free brands or make
your own.
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Olive oil is an anti-cancer food: women of
Crete get 45-60% of their calories from fat, mostly fresh olive
oil, yet are the least likely of any women in the Western world to
die of breast cancer. Studies show a strong link between fat
and breast cancer when the diet is high in linoleic acids, the
main fatty acid in safflower, corn, soy, and sunflower oils.
These oils are unstable and go rancid shortly after extraction.
Rancid oil is a carcinogen. Anti-cancer oils include
coconut, olive, ghee, and sesame. Other foods with
demonstrated anti-cancer properties are green tea, almonds, beans,
burdock root, carrots, garlic, ginger, lentils, seaweed, and
citrus.
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Eat moderate and healthy fat, as discussed
previously
-- roughly 30% of total calories.
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Supplements to build immunity and ensure super
vitamin/mineral nutrition are a key part of preventing cancer.
Recommended supplements include the standard antioxidants,
vitamins C (1-10,000 mg) and E (400 mg), beta-carotene (25-100,000
mg), and selenium (200 mcg). Zinc is a good immune system
nutrient, as is Ginseng, which encourages production of
interferon, phagocytes, antibodies, and killer T-cells.
Mushrooms, such as maitake, reishi, and shiitake, have proven
tumor-shrinking properties, as well as being anti-inflammatory and
immune-building.
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Echinacea and astragalus are both excellent immune
builders.
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Essential fatty acids (preferably from cold-water
fish: salmon, mackerel, or sardines; or from a
non-rancid oil like coconut) decrease the level of PGEs in the
blood. High levels of inflammatory Prostaglandins are found
in the blood and tumors of those with breast cancer. Cancer
is an inflammatory process, and quercitin and licorice root have
known anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties.
Note: Iron is a pro-oxidant and
causes free-radicals. Women with tumors had higher levels of
iron in their blood. Further, low blood iron correlates with
lower cancer incidence. Don't supplement with iron unless it
is medically necessary.
Breast Massage/Packs
Regular breast massage stimulates lymph circulation
in breast tissue and helps eliminate abnormal cells and congestion.
To disperse energy, place hands under the breasts and massage inward
and upward in a circular motion. This can be done at any point
in the menstrual cycle.
It is ideal to use an herbal oil added to some
beeswax to make an ointment. The antiseptic, softening, and
healing properties of beeswax intensify the healing actions of the
herbs and carry them deeper into the tissues. Recommended oils
include: Burdock seed, Calendula blossom, Comfrey root (good
for sore breasts), Dandelion flower, Evergreen needle, Red Clover
blossom, and St. John's wort. Another benefit of breast
massage is that you become familiar with how your breasts feel and
are better able to detect future changes.
Castor oil was the remedy most recommended by
psychic healer Edgar Cayce for resolving lumps and growths.
The classic application is a hot castor oil compress made by baking
flannel cloth saturated in castor oil in the oven until it is
thoroughly heated. This hot compress is applied to the
breasts, covered with plastic to hold in the heat, and kept on as
long as possible.
Processing Emotions
Learn to speak your truth, and say what's on your
mind. Be honest with yourself (and others) about your real
feelings, and release stored angers, resentments, and griefs.
Many people walk around with a multitude of unresolved feelings and
emotions. It has been demonstrated that this has a negative
effect on immunity.
It is difficult to understand sometimes what is
happening beneath the surface in ourselves and in our interactions
with others. Meditation, or sitting quietly, to be able to
just recognize your feelings may be helpful. Surround yourself
with people who encourage you to be your true self, who are not
judgmental, and with whom you can talk about and process your more
complex feelings.
Pay attention to sensations in your body such as
heaviness in the chest, constriction around the throat, or a sick
feeling in your stomach, which may be manifestations of unexpressed
feelings. These are clues that you need to look deeper at
something within yourself. Emotions that we "stuff away"
inside don't disappear. Combined with other factors, they are
seeds in the breeding ground of disease.
The Keys to Breast Health
The keys to breast health appears to be in many of
the choices we make daily: eating organically grown, whole
foods that are rich in nutrients and healthy fats; exercising;
getting sunlight; taking care of ourselves emotionally;
strengthening our immune defenses; caring for our breasts via
massage and nourishment; and reducing alcohol and coffee
intake.
References
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Weed, Susan S. Breast Cancer?
Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way. Ash Tree
Publishing, 1996.
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Austin, Steve, ND and Hitchcock, Cathy, MSW.
Breast Cancer. Prima Publishing, 1994.
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Stoppard, Miriam, Dr. The Breast Book.
Random House, 1996.
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The Boston Women's Health Book Collective.
The New Our Bodies, Ourselves. Simon & Schuster,
1992.
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