Breast Cancer natural Support

Risk Factors for Developing Breast Cancer

Age

Age > 65 years (compared to a 35-year-old woman): Relative risk: >4

Family History:

Two first-degree relatives (diagnosed at an early age): Relative risk: >4

One first-degree relative (diagnosed at an early age): Relative risk: 2-4

Personal History:

Abnormal biopsy: Relative risk: 2-4

Abnormal hyperplasia: Relative risk: 2-4

Hormonal Factors:

Age at first full-term pregnancy > 30 yrs: Relative risk: 1-2

Age at menarche (first period): < 12 yrs: Relative risk: 1-2

Age at menopause: > 55 yrs: Relative risk: 1-2

Birth control pill usage: Relative risk: 1-2

Recent to past and long-term use of estrogen-progestin therapy: Relative risk: 1-2

Obesity (postmenopausal): Relative risk: 1-2

Relative Risk (RR): Risk of developing breast cancer with risk factor present compared with risk when a factor is absent.

RR1 = no difference in risk between groups;

RR4 = women with risk factors are four times more likely to develop cancer than those without risk factors.

Genetic Disposition to Breast Cancer:

According to recent research conducted by Yale University, 8 out of 10 people who carry a gene for breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer are unaware that they carry the gene. Women with mutated BRCA1 and 2 genes are at a higher risk of developing this type of cancer. Women with BRCA gene mutations have an 80% risk of developing breast cancer by age 80. Likewise, men with the same gene mutation are at higher risk of breast and prostate cancer. This gene mutation also leads to more aggressive cancer forms. So, if you have a first-degree relative with prostate or breast cancer, you might benefit from early screening.

Naturopathic Treatments for Breast Cancer Prevention:

• Drinking alcohol: increases women’s risk of developing breast cancer, but many women aren’t aware of this link. A recent study on women undergoing screening has shown that about half the women knew that smoking was a risk factor. Around 30% of women recognized obesity as a risk factor. Still, only 20% knew that consuming alcohol was a risk factor.
• Breastfeeding: reduces a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. Research shows mothers who breastfeed have lower risks, both pre-and post-menopausally.
• Lignans: (found in flaxseed in high concentration) have been shown to help with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer.
• Vitamin C and green tea extract: both act as potent antioxidants. Additionally, it helps with the suppression of tumor cell growth.
• Garlic: Garlic has a high amount of organic sulfides and polysulfides. It stimulates lymphocytes and macrophages and kills the cancerous cells. Additionally, it interferes with the tumor cell’s metabolism.
• Curcumin: is known to have an anti-cancerous activity. Curcumin has an inhibitory action in all phases of cancer growth (initiation, promotion, and propagation).
• Echinacea: Flavonoids act as immune-stimulant. They are present in Echinacea. Echinacea also lessens the harmful consequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
• Ginseng: Ginseng restores natural killer cells impaired during chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It also induces macrophages. It also enhances antibodies’ formation.

References 

1. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2005-2006. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2005BrF.pdf.
2. Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment: The expanding role of the Ob/Gyn. Available at: http://www.apgo.org/elearn/APGO_BC_Monograph.pdf.
3. Chen J., Stavro P.M., Thompson L.U. Dietary flaxseed inhibits human breast cancer growth and metastasis. It downregulates the expression of insulin-like growth factors and epidermal growth factor receptors. Nutr. Cancer. 2002;43:187–192
4. Galeone C., Pelucchi C., Levi F., Negri E., Franceschi S., Talamini R., Giacosa A., La Vecchia C. Onion and garlic use and human cancer. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2006;84:1027–1032.
5. Dmitri O., Levitsky V., Dembitsky M. Anti-breast cancer agents derived from plants. Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2015;5:1–16.
6. Donaldson M.S. Nutrition and cancer: a review of the evidence for an anti-cancer diet. J. 2004;20:3–19