Appropriate or the worst example of invasive allopathy gone haywire?
A study published in the January 14th, 1999, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine discussed the results of 639 women with a family history of breast cancer who chose to have both breasts removed while they were still without cancer. The untreated sisters served as controls. The average length of follow-up was 14 years. The surgery did yield a reduction in cases and deaths from breast cancer, but only 18 lives were saved, meaning that the majority of the women who had their breasts removed may have survived without the drastic procedure.
The authors of the study conclude, “In women with a high risk of breast cancer on the basis of family history, prophylactic mastectomy can significantly reduce the incidence of breast cancer.” Based on the results of this new study, a woman who has a very strong family history of breast cancer is placed in a dilemma. Should she undergo removal of healthy breasts, with the resultant surgical disfigurement and potential psychological damage? Or, should she wait? This is a serious decision that requires soul searching and a full discussion with one’s health care practitioner.
In women who prefer to wait, there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of breast cancer. These involve dietary changes, exercise, elimination of smoking, and supplements.
* Reduce your intake of saturated fats and fried foods, margarine, and baked goods.
* Include more omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, particularly through consumption of cold water fish or flaxseed oil. If you don’t like fish, or don’t eat enough marine products, task fish oil supplements.
* Reduce your intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates. Most people don’t realize that sugars can convert into fats, particularly saturated fats.
* Vary your fruit and vegetable intake by purchasing produce that you don’t normally eat. Each fruit or vegetable has a unique set of carotenoids and flavonoids. Attempt, on a regular basis, to consume citrus fruits, berries, apricots, grapes, and other colored fruits.
* Your vegetable intake should include garlic, onions, green leafy vegetables, yellow- or orange-colored vegetables, tomatoes, beets, and others.
* Include more soy products in your diet.
* Drink a variety of herbal teas instead of just regular tea or coffee. Each morning have a different type of tea such as ginger, bilberry, green tea, licorice, peppermint, lemon grass, etc.
* Limit your intake of alcohol to no more than one glass a day.
* Try to reduce stress and maintain an ideal weight. Physical activity will likely reduce your risk for breast cancer.
Step 2: Estrogen’s role
Even though estrogen is sometimes recommended for women at risk for cardiovascular disease, there appears to be a small increased risk of breast cancer linked to the hormone. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, avoid estrogen, take only minimal dosages, or use phyto-estrogen-rich supplements, such as red clover and soy (as mentioned).
Step 3: Supplements
In addition to a healthy diet, consider taking supplements of vitamin C, E, selenium, and a combination pill that includes carotenoids and flavonoids. Several anti-cancer nutrients, such as calcium-d-glucarate, beta-glucan, and IP-6, have been introduced over the past few years. Long-term human trials are limited using these nutrients for cancer prevention but you and your health care practitioner may consider learning more about them.
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, whether or not to have prophylactic mastectomy is a difficult decision. If you plan not to have the surgery, nutritional and lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Regular physical exams and mammograms are recommended.