October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it has been a few years since we have devoted a newsletter to the topic.  

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in US women, and by far the most common form of cancer other than skin cancers. Both imaging and treatment have benefitted from medical advances, so most women who are treated for breast cancer will not die of that cancer.  

Still: the best solution would be to prevent cancer in the first place, right?

FIRST: Prevent

The short list of key steps to reducing breast cancer risk include:

1. Regular exercise is pretty near the top of the list, 3-5 days a week of moderate exercise is sufficient. (For other reasons, I might suggest a bit more strenuous exertion on a couple of those days!)

2. Minimizing alcohol is a key step.  As little as 1 drink a day significantly increases risk, so either:
   
   a. Keep it to less than one drink a day, or
   
   b. If alcohol is a daily routine of yours, consider paying extra special attention to all the other ways to reduce risk.

3. Follow a low carbohydrate diet.  Sugars and grains tend to increase blood sugar and insulin, and both are associated with increasing the risk of breast (and colon!) cancer.

4. Avoid chemicals and toxins in your food and in your skincare applications, including shampoo. Look for organic labeling for what goes in or on your body. Meat and eggs should be pasture-raised if possible.
   
   Hot off the press! A study just published confirms the general concern about antiperspirants and deodorants. Researchers acknowledge the difficulty in sorting out all the details, but conclude with the simple recommendation, “In light of the precautionary principle and based on the data obtained, it is better to avoid antiperspirants that contain Al.” Commonly used “deodorants” do not contain aluminum.  The article has lots of interesting insight about the complex interaction between our environment and our risk of breast cancer. 

5. Key supplements include
   
   a. Vitamin D3 to keep a blood level of 50-70 ng/mL.
   
   b. Omega 3’s are valuable and abundant in wild fish, but if you don’t eat it regularly, a fish oil supplement (Nordic Naturals is a good one, widely available) can provide the valuable omega-3 fatty acids your breasts appreciate.

6. Take good care of yourself! Find ways to work around stress, prioritize a good night’s sleep, and surround yourself with people and places that bring you joy!

For the long version, check out my recently updated article here.

SECOND:  One of the reasons breast cancer treatment has become more effective in recent years is that women are finding their cancers earlier. You can do a good job of surveillance if you:

• Examine your own breasts monthly, using the flat of your hand in a warm, relaxing soapy bath or shower.

• Schedule an annual visit with your health care practitioner for an expert exam.

• Most importantly, breast imaging can be highly effective.
  • Many of our patients prefer Breast Thermography, and we are lucky to have skilled thermography available in our area, no physician referral needed, at Oregon Thermography.

  • Mammograms are a good complement to thermography (each technique is focused at identifying different risky findings) and should be considered every one to five years. Available at your local hospital, also obtainable with no physician referral needed.

  • Ultrasounds are less precise than either of the other two methods, but useful
    • for those who can’t obtain a thermogram or mammogram,

    • and as a complement to the other methods, to provide more information when there is a questionable finding.

MOST CONTROVERSIAL in breast cancer awareness has been the role of hormone replacement therapy in menopause. In 2001 a premature news release from the Women’s Health Initiative cited estrogen replacement as a cause of breast cancer.  Subsequent careful study and reporting clarified that

• Estrogen (topical, estradiol form of estrogen) reduces the risk of breast cancer.  It is true, however, that there are still estrogen-stimulated breast cancers, which is why careful breast imaging is part of hormone replacement therapy.

• Synthetic progesterone (progestins such as Provera) DO increase the risk of breast cancer but can easily be avoided by opting for bio-identical progesterone.

PRO TIP: It is definitely true that some women are unwilling or unable to replace hormones, and for these women I have a suggestion. A supplement is available, an extract of soy and pomegranates, which is an estrogen-analogue, a phyto-estrogen if you will, called Genistein. Genistein provides some of the same systemic benefits as estrogen (better health for bones, brains, colons, and hearts) while reducing the risk of estrogen-related cancers of breast and uterus.  A daily capsule of Genistein might provide some benefit for those women who do not want to or can’t take estrogen therapy and/or as an extra protection for those who do use hormones, but feel they are still at risk for reasons of lifestyle or genetics.

Again, for the long version, check out my recently updated article here.