Think of two words that strike fear into women everywhere and you’re likely to come up with breast cancer.
And there’s a good reason for that.
In 2008, according to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 182,460 women were diagnosed with and 40,480 women died of breast cancer.
With these alarming statistics, it’s tragic that most women just wait until a self-exam or mammogram shows an unusual lump in their breast. Often, by that point, the cancer has taken hold and it becomes a life and death challenge.
So there’s something I want to share with you.
Most breast cancer is determined by how estrogen is metabolized in the body and whether it is balanced by adequate levels of progesterone.
Here’s what you need to know and do and pass on to your mother, your sisters, and your friends so they’ll do it too.
1. Have your estradiol, estrogen metabolites, and progesterone levels tested. If you have a progesterone deficiency, you are at least four times more likely to develop breast cancer. If testing shows you are deficient in this hormone, there are several progesterone creams available without a prescription. Ask your healthcare professionals for a recommendation.
2. Estrogen testing will tell you whether your body is breaking down estradiol, your primary estrogen, into safe or dangerous metabolites. For instance, 2OH (one of the metabolites of estradiol) actually inhibits breast cancer. But 4OH and 16OH increase your risks, so you don’t want those levels elevated.
3. The good news is that you can encourage your body to make more good estrogen while getting rid of the bad stuff simply by maintaining healthy gut flora and modifying your diet to include more antioxidant-rich and omega-3 foods and fewer carbs. The insulin resistance and inflammation caused by carbs significantly increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer.
4. You might not be aware that your thyroid plays a role in breast health too. If you have an underactive thyroid or thyroid antibodies (autoimmune thyroiditis), your body may not be making enough NK (natural killer) cells. These are the immune cells that search out cancer cells and destroy them. That’s why it’s vitally important to have your thyroid checked regularly.
5. Did you realize that it is in your power to dramatically reduce your risk of breast cancer by balancing your hormones and eating a nutritious diet?
Many believe it’s fate or genetics that determine whether or not they’re faced with breast cancer.
Whether you answer yes or no, you now know it is in your power to reduce your risk.
And if you thought a yearly mammogram was the most you could do to protect yourself from breast cancer, think again. Make hormone and thyroid testing a part of your yearly checkup.
It’s important that women are properly educated about real breast cancer prevention.
Carry this message to women everywhere, and together we can reverse those statistics.
shelli
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