Definition: Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer in women in the United States, with a lifetime risk of one in eight women.

  • Breast cancer results from the interplay of genes with environmental factors (such as food choices, exercise, lifestyle, and estrogen exposures) and environmental toxins (such as radiation and pesticides).
  • Breast cancer is generally hormone-driven cancer; higher lifetime risk is associated with higher estrogen exposure. Seventy percent of breast cancers express hormone receptors for progesterone or estrogen.
  • Breast cancer is categorized in stages 0-4. Five-year survival rates are high in women with early-stage cancers: stage 0, 100%; stages 1 and 2, 98% for local invasion, 83.6% for regional invasion; stage 3, 57%; and in women with metastatic breast cancer, 23.4%.
  • One percent of breast cancers occur in men.
  • Some of the factors that can increase the rate of breast cancer include: increasing age, geographic region (Western world), family history of breast cancer, mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, ionizing radiation exposure in childhood, history of benign breast disease, late menopause (>54 years), early age at menarche (<12 years), nulliparity or older age at first birth, high mammographic breast density, hormone therapy,  obesity in postmenopausal women, tall stature, alcohol consumption (more than one drink/day), high insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels.
  • PALB2 Gene +: Someone who inherits a PALB2 mutation faces a 35% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70, and if she also has a strong family history of the disease, her risk is about 58% by age 70. Moreover, an inherited PALB2 mutation confers a somewhat increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Inheritance of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation confers about a six-fold higher risk — about 69% to 72% — of developing breast cancer, compared to a person without the mutation.
  • Recommendations for people who test positive for PALB2 are similar to those who inherit a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation: annual MRIs alternating with mammograms — each once per year — with a clinical breast exam twice a year. A prophylactic mastectomy can also be an option.
  • Some of the factors that can decrease the rate of breast cancer include: geographic location (Asia and Africa), early age of first full-term pregnancy, higher parity, breastfeeding (longer duration), obesity in premenopausal women, fruits and vegetable consumption, physical activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Treatment:

Environment/LifeStyle

  • Exercise 30-60 minutes 5 days a week
  • Yoga 
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid smoking
  • Get adequate sleep
  • Avoid toxins including insecticides, pesticides, and other chemicals such as EDTA
  • Do not cook or store food in plastic

Mind-Body

  • Practice stress reduction technique
  • Seek counseling if needed

Diet

  • Eat a Mediterranean-based diet
  • Increase organic fruits and vegetables including cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage
  • Increase foods high in fiber content, omega 3 and 9 oils, and fermented soy foods
  • Eliminate alcohol, trans-fats, processed foods
  • Reduce sugar intake, and saturated fat in dairy and meats
  • If you eat meat, eat only hormone-free meat
  • Drink RO-filtered water or distilled water
  • Consider a macrobiotic diet

Certain supplements and medications may be useful in treating breast cancer

To schedule an appointment please contact us

Carolina Integrative Clinic

254 Towne Village Dr, Cary, NC 27513, United States

Email: office@ciclinic.com

Tel: (919) 869-6661

Fax: (919) 301-9349