| Our body is made up thousands of cells that differ in | | | | Do monthly breast self-examination. If you don't |
| size, shape and function. Controlled by our DNA, each | | | | know how, ask your gynecologist. I'm sure he or she |
| cell is programmed to perform certain tasks and | | | | will be happy to show you how. If you are over 40, |
| after a specified period of time - die. This is normally | | | | it is recommended that you get a mammogram and |
| done in an orderly manner. However, if our cells are | | | | begin a regular screening program. |
| exposed to carcinogens, viruses or ionizing radiation, | | | | Get rid of your under wire bras. Under wire bras |
| for example, the DNA can become damaged creating | | | | don't cause breast cancer, however, they do restrict |
| havoc with this once orderly process. Said another | | | | the flow of lymph in the breast tissue thus allowing |
| way, if the rate of new cell growth in the body | | | | toxins and waste products to build up. |
| overcomes the rate of cell death, tumors can | | | | If it is possible, have your babies earlier than later. |
| develop. If these cells invade and destroy surrounding | | | | Having your first child before the age of 30 will help |
| normal tissues, the abnormal cell growth is considered | | | | reduce your risk. Breast feeding your child for 6-8 |
| to be cancerous. | | | | months will reduce your risk even further. |
| In the US, breast cancer is the leading cause of | | | | Think twice before taking birth control pills as a form |
| death in women between the ages of 30 and 50. | | | | of contraception or for menstrual irregularities. |
| Rarely diagnosed before a woman reaches 25, the | | | | Reduce your fat intake. Studies have shown that |
| number of incidents rises with age, peaking at | | | | women who eat a low-fat, high fiber diet have lower |
| menopause and decreasing once menopause had | | | | estrogen levels than women that don't. |
| passed. About 182,000 women are diagnosed with | | | | Eat soy! Soy has been shown to block the type of |
| breast cancer each year and about 40% of those | | | | estrogen involved in the formation of breast cancer. |
| diagnosed die within 10 years. Scientists believe these | | | | Note: If you suffer from hypothyroidism, soy may |
| numbers are increasing. | | | | reduce thyroid hormone levels. |
| Overwhelming evidence into the cause of breast | | | | Nutritional deficiencies weaken the bodies systems. |
| cancer suggests the female hormone estrogen plays | | | | Begin a diet filled with lots of fresh fruits and |
| a central role in this disease. Studies indicate that | | | | vegetables. In addition, make sure you take a high |
| estrogen stimulates the cells of the breast to form | | | | quality vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure your |
| cancerous cells. Thus a prolonged uninterrupted | | | | body is getting all of the nutrition it needs. |
| presence of high estrogen levels in the body may | | | | Barley Greens and Nature's Sunshine's Immune |
| predispose a woman to breast cancer. | | | | Stimulator can be used to strengthen the body and |
| These studies also indicate the less time a woman is | | | | support the immune system. |
| exposed to her own reproductive hormones, the | | | | Do a liver cleanse! The liver is responsible for breaking |
| lower her risk of developing breast cancer is. This | | | | down hormones that have served their function and |
| includes women who enter menses at a later age as | | | | eliminate them from the body. Use herbs such as milk |
| well as women who enter menopause, both naturally | | | | thistle, dandelion root or burdock to keep your liver |
| and artificially, before the age of 45. Pregnancy, | | | | healthy. |
| breast feeding, physical activity, a low fat, high fiber | | | | Indole-3 carbinol is found in cruciferous vegetables |
| diet also helps to reduce the amount of estrogen | | | | (cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts). It has been |
| flowing through the body. | | | | shown to reduce the amount of the carcinogenetic |
| Additional risk factors for developing breast cancer | | | | forms of estrogen and increase the good kinds of |
| include a family history of breast cancer. If your | | | | estrogen in the body. |
| mother, sister or aunt was diagnosed with breast | | | | Essiac Tea is popularly used as an additional |
| cancer, it may indicate a genetic predisposition to this | | | | supplement to support the immune system of |
| disease. Women who have not had children or | | | | individuals suffering from cancer. |
| women who did not have their first child until after | | | | In preliminary studies paw paw twig extracts have |
| the age of 30 have been identified as having a two | | | | be used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In one |
| to five times greater risk. Women who take birth | | | | study, some breast cancer patients experienced |
| control pill or utilize estrogen replacement therapy | | | | partial or complete tumor reduction. Talk to your |
| after menopause are also at a greater risk. Other | | | | health care provider before taking this supplement. It |
| factors that can increase your chances of getting | | | | should not be taken with a number of other |
| breast cancer include: weight, dietary fat intake, | | | | supplements such as antioxidant products and |
| alcohol consumption, dietary deficiencies and certain | | | | Co-Q10. If you have Parkinson's Disease, you should |
| types of fibrocystic breast disease. | | | | not take this substance. |
| Recommendations For Wellness | | | | |