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In the past 50 years, the risk of breast cancer in women has nearly tripled. In 1940, one in 22 women ran the risk of getting breast cancer. That has risen to one in seven, becoming 212,000 women with invasive breast cancer in 2005.
Why are so many women (and men) developing breast cancer today? What are the risk factors and what can be done to reverse this trend?
First, we need to understand that genetics are only part of the story. For example, less than one out of every 10 cases occurs in women with a genetic predisposition.
A far greater concern is the total toxic exposure (and resulting accumulation) that humans are exposed to on the planet today. One study on twins done in Scandanavia showed that of 27 percent of the risk was attributable genetics, where 73 percent was attributable to environmental exposures.
Another report by the World Wildlife Fund points to synthetic estrogen-mimickers-chemicals with structures similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. A key ingredient of the contraceptive pill and synthetic hormone replacement therapy, estrogen is already thought to fuel breast cancer, sparking fears that manmade chemicals with a similar structure or action may have the same effect.
Another chemical known to spur an increase in the breast cancer rate is bisphenol-A found in a wide range of consumer plastic products. Other chemicals known to cause cancer include chemicals commonly used to make mattresses fire retardant, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), PCBs, diethylstilbestrol, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the solvents benzene and styrene.
In addition, American women have the world’s highest level PBDEs in their breast milk — 40 to 60 percent higher than those of women in Sweden, where the chemical is banned. Experts in pollutants say even small amounts of these chemicals could do untold damage to the body. Other significant risks include thyroid hormone use without iodine, estrogen excess relative to progesterone, or an actual progesterone deficiency. The aggressive nature of breast cancer puts a priority on timely diagnosis.
It is important to have an integrative approach combining the support of an oncologist with complementary and alternative approaches. Thankfully new technologies are developing such as infrared thermography to help with earlier detection.
Of course we are looking to prevent cancer in the first place, but the natural therapies we utilize are actually quite similar even if a woman has already developed a cancerous process. At the root, we start with a good cancer-preventing diet. This includes a high-fiber diet emphasizing smaller amounts of good fats that are good for you, solid amounts of the preventive nutrients like carotenes and bioflavonoids in berries and other brightly colored fruits and veggies, cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower rich in indole-3-carbinol (I-3-C), selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C and a variety of whole, minimally processed foods that are closer to “mother nature.” We also know that the catechins in green tea are incredibly cancer-protective as well as being able to support any cancer treatment plan.
We next consider person-specific supplements that may include omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), potent antioxidants like melatonin, I-3-C, calcium D-glucarate, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) or alpha-lipoic Acid (ALA). An internal cleansing program is also almost always indicated and spring is a great time to do so! Other beneficial medicines may include liver-supportive herbs (as the main organ of detoxification) such as articum, dandelion root, milk thistle, fringe tree or beet root. Some natural therapies can even potentiate chemotherapeutics like Tamoxifen and prevent their toxic side effects. There are many more treatment possibilities, and so it is important to have a treatment program tailored to your specific needs.
<i>Dr. Christopher Lepisto is a graduate of Bastyr University and a practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Grand Junction’s only integrative medicine center. He specializes in women’s health, environmental medicine, cleansing and detoxification. For more information, check www.thealderwoodcenter.com or call Dr. Lepisto at 250-4104.</i>
Why are so many women (and men) developing breast cancer today? What are the risk factors and what can be done to reverse this trend?
First, we need to understand that genetics are only part of the story. For example, less than one out of every 10 cases occurs in women with a genetic predisposition.
A far greater concern is the total toxic exposure (and resulting accumulation) that humans are exposed to on the planet today. One study on twins done in Scandanavia showed that of 27 percent of the risk was attributable genetics, where 73 percent was attributable to environmental exposures.
Another report by the World Wildlife Fund points to synthetic estrogen-mimickers-chemicals with structures similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. A key ingredient of the contraceptive pill and synthetic hormone replacement therapy, estrogen is already thought to fuel breast cancer, sparking fears that manmade chemicals with a similar structure or action may have the same effect.
Another chemical known to spur an increase in the breast cancer rate is bisphenol-A found in a wide range of consumer plastic products. Other chemicals known to cause cancer include chemicals commonly used to make mattresses fire retardant, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), PCBs, diethylstilbestrol, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the solvents benzene and styrene.
In addition, American women have the world’s highest level PBDEs in their breast milk — 40 to 60 percent higher than those of women in Sweden, where the chemical is banned. Experts in pollutants say even small amounts of these chemicals could do untold damage to the body. Other significant risks include thyroid hormone use without iodine, estrogen excess relative to progesterone, or an actual progesterone deficiency. The aggressive nature of breast cancer puts a priority on timely diagnosis.
It is important to have an integrative approach combining the support of an oncologist with complementary and alternative approaches. Thankfully new technologies are developing such as infrared thermography to help with earlier detection.
Of course we are looking to prevent cancer in the first place, but the natural therapies we utilize are actually quite similar even if a woman has already developed a cancerous process. At the root, we start with a good cancer-preventing diet. This includes a high-fiber diet emphasizing smaller amounts of good fats that are good for you, solid amounts of the preventive nutrients like carotenes and bioflavonoids in berries and other brightly colored fruits and veggies, cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower rich in indole-3-carbinol (I-3-C), selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C and a variety of whole, minimally processed foods that are closer to “mother nature.” We also know that the catechins in green tea are incredibly cancer-protective as well as being able to support any cancer treatment plan.
We next consider person-specific supplements that may include omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), potent antioxidants like melatonin, I-3-C, calcium D-glucarate, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) or alpha-lipoic Acid (ALA). An internal cleansing program is also almost always indicated and spring is a great time to do so! Other beneficial medicines may include liver-supportive herbs (as the main organ of detoxification) such as articum, dandelion root, milk thistle, fringe tree or beet root. Some natural therapies can even potentiate chemotherapeutics like Tamoxifen and prevent their toxic side effects. There are many more treatment possibilities, and so it is important to have a treatment program tailored to your specific needs.
<i>Dr. Christopher Lepisto is a graduate of Bastyr University and a practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Grand Junction’s only integrative medicine center. He specializes in women’s health, environmental medicine, cleansing and detoxification. For more information, check www.thealderwoodcenter.com or call Dr. Lepisto at 250-4104.</i>
