PHW Newsletter - Edition 10

A Word from Joleen Zivnuska, APRN, MSN

Breast Health: Beyond Awareness

With October being well known for “Breast Cancer Awareness”, it would only be appropriate that we cover this important topic. But instead of only focusing on screening options, let’s do our due diligence and go deep on not only how to screen for breast cancer, but how to prevent it and support breast health overall.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States every year, and about 2.3 million women worldwide. We are seeing an epidemic of cancer in the US, with breast cancer now being diagnosed as early as the teenage years, along with the expected middle-aged and elderly. Recent studies show that only about 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy. That means that 88% have some form of chronic disease like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and cancer. This is disastrous!!!

Cancer can be fed by things like iron, sugar, insulin, and hormones, but it is NOT what causes them. Often, the biggest driver behind cancer can be when the Pillars of Health are out of balance or there is unresolved trauma stored in the body. Genetic markers that tell us we are potentially more prone to cancer account for only 5-10% of cancers. When it comes to cancer, your zip code (aka your environment) is much more important than your genetic code. There are so many ways we can truly prevent breast cancer. It goes much deeper than just “getting a mammogram!”

Since breast tissue is hormone sensitive, we can support breast health with our diet, choosing real, whole foods with anti-inflammatory properties, and foods like cruciferous vegetables that support hormone metabolism. Though not a popular opinion, avoiding or limiting caffeine helps reduce the common cysts that women have in breast tissue (fibrocystic breasts). By getting sufficient sleep and managing our stress we can support normal cortisol levels, as unhealthy cortisol levels are a common culprit behind hormone imbalances. Regular exercise, especially weight training, also helps balance hormones. Along with supporting detoxification, we can learn to avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals that can influence our breast tissue.

When it comes to screening exams, ideally we can detect breast cancer early with self breast exams at home or with clinical exams at your regularly scheduled physical or well-woman exam. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends starting mammograms at age 40 and every other year till 74. This is for women of average risk of breast cancer. The unfortunate reality is that mammograms miss 30% of cancers in women who have dense breast tissue. There are also valid concerns regarding breast compression and radiation of healthy breast tissue as well as false positives which often lead to unnecessary biopsies and other treatments.

Other options, such as breast MRI, often use gadolinium dye as a contrast agent, which is a heavy metal that accumulates in the body. Thermography is another screening option which measures body temperature. Studies show it can miss breast cancers, but it can often pick up on the key sign of inflammation – heat, and that can lead to further investigation. Another option is a breast sonogram.

So let’s truly honor “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” by giving breast health (and our total health) the respect it deserves! Support the Pillars of Health first and foremost, and discuss the best screening options with your healthcare provider.