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A Natural Approach to Breast Cancer - Part 2

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Girls who engage in a significant amount of exercise have been reported to be less likely to get breast cancer as adults. Although some doctors speculate that exercise in preadolescent girls might reduce the risk of eventually getting breast cancer by reducing the number of menstrual cycles and therefore exposure to estrogens, these effects may occur only in girls engaging in very strenuous exercise.

Nevertheless, most studies find that adult women who exercise are less likely to get breast cancer. Women who exercise have also been reported to have a reduced risk of high-risk mammography patterns compared with inactive women.

Exercise in adulthood might help protect against breast cancer by lowering blood levels of estrogen or by helping maintain an ideal body weight. In addition to the preventive effects of exercise, aerobic exercise has been reported to reduce depression and anxiety in women already diagnosed with breast cancer.

The mind-body connection

In some studies, the risk of breast cancer has been reported to be higher in women who have experienced major (though not minor) depression in the years preceding diagnosis. Some, but not all, studies have found that exposure to severely stressful events increases a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. In one study, breast cancer patients exposed to severely stressful events, such as death of a spouse or divorce, had more than five times the risk of suffering a recurrence compared with women not exposed to such stressors.Although stress has long been considered as a possible risk factor, some studies have not found significant correlations between psychological stressors and breast cancer risk or the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Similarly, experiencing psychological distress (independent of external stressors) has, in some reports, not been associated with a reduction in survival or the risk of suffering a breast cancer recurrence.

In one study, breast cancer patients with strong social support in the months following surgery had only half the risk of dying from the disease during a seven-year period compared with patients who lacked anyone to confide in. After 10 and 15 years, breast cancer patients with a helpless and hopeless attitude or with an attitude of stoicism were much less likely to survive compared with women who had what the researchers called a “fighting spirit.” In a five-year study, the same helpless/hopeless attitude correlated with an increased risk of recurrence or death in breast cancer patients, but a “fighting spirit” did not correlate with special protection against recurrence or death. One trial reported that psychological therapy for hopeless/helpless breast cancer patients was capable of changing these attitudes and reducing psychological distress in only eight weeks.

Eating a Healthy Diet

Aside from regular cancer screenings, diet and lifestyle choices may factor into breast cancer risk and management. It is generally recommended that individuals eat healthy and well-balanced diets, maintain a healthy body weight, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in moderation (if at all). Many studies are testing the potential benefits of specific foods and diets on breast cancer.  The vegetables of the Brassica oleracea species, including Kale, Cabbage, Mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts, have a protective effect against cancer. The cancer-protective effect may be due to the relatively high content of glucosinolates (sinigrin, glucobrassicin, and glucoraphanin) and a groupof thioglucosides in these vegetables. Glucosinolates are usually accompanied by myrosinase, a thioglucosidase enzyme found in plant cells in separate compartments. When the plant cells are damaged by cutting or chewing, the myrosinase is exposed to glucosinolates, catalyzing its hydrolysis to a range of breakdown products, such as indoles, nitriles, and isothiocyanates (ITCs). Indoles and phytoestrogens rich in Brassica species also contribute to the protection of hormone-dependent breast and cervical cancers, as shown in certain in vitro studies, as well as clinical trials in women. Anticancer effects are mediated through their ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit DNA-carcinogen adduct formation, suppress free-radical production, stimulate 2-hydroxylation of estradiol, and inhibit invasion and angiogenesis (cancer growth).

There are numerous studies that have assessed whether certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other dietary ingredients offered in dietary or herbal supplements may be beneficial in connection with reducing the risk of developing breast cancer, or of signs and symptoms in people who have this condition.

My review of this information is provided solely to aid consumers in discussing supplements with their healthcare providers. It is not advised, nor is this information intended to advocate, promote, or encourage self prescription of these supplements for cancer risk reduction or treatment. Furthermore, none of this information should be misconstrued to suggest that dietary or herbal supplements can or should be used in place of conventional anticancer approaches or treatments.

It should be noted that while there may be indications for the potential usefulness of a particular dietary ingredient or dietary or herbal supplement in connection with the reduction of the risk of breast cancer, it is based in preliminary evidence only. Some studies suggest an association between high blood (or dietary) levels of a particular dietary ingredient with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Even if such an association were established, this does not mean that dietary supplements containing large amounts of the dietary ingredient will necessarily have a cancer risk reduction effect. 

 

Dr. Bryce Wylde is one of Canada's leading experts on natural medicine. He is the author of The Antioxidant Prescription and host of Wylde On Health on CP24. Please visit www.wyldeabouthealth.com


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