Breast cancer cure

While serious risk factors like genetics and family history should never be ignored when it comes to preventing breast cancer, an incredible 70 percent of breast cancer patients have absolutely no risk factors for the disease. But that's not to say that contracting the disease is a game of Russian roulette. On the contrary, that statistic means that we do have control over our breast health and must make cancer prevention a priority.

But before we can learn how to prevent breast cancer, we must understand what it is. The interior of the breast consists of fatty and fibrous tissue and is divided into about 20 sections, called lobes. The lobes are made up of milk-producing glands, called lobules, which secrete milk into a system of ducts. Breast cancer occurs when a woman's DNA, which controls the rate of cell reproduction and death, stops sending the proper signals. Confused cells then begin to mutate and replicate themselves until they form tumors. Many things contribute to this sort of cell damage: lifestyle choices, such as poor dietary habits, smoking, stress and lack of exercise, as well as various internal factors like free radicals and an imbalance of the female hormone, estrogen. Obviously there is no foolproof plan to avoid breast cancer altogether, but following some basic guidelines can at least put you on the path to prevention.

Think Before You Eat

According to the American Cancer Society, what you eat is second only to smoking as the most influential (controllable) risk factor for breast cancer. Research from the American Dietetic Association points to the fact that cultures relying mostly on a plant-based diet have a significantly lower incidence of the disease than countries that still put animal protein at the center of the plate--and that includes the United States. A diet based on this sort of protein is sure to deliver far too much fat, and that is a recipe for disease. "There is an increasingly stronger correlation between a high intake of dietary fat and breast cancer," says Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, N.D, co-founder of the Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, Wash. "The United States, the Netherlands and Great Britain, which all have [high-fat] diets, also have the world's highest rates of breast cancer."

Experts agree that a low-fat, high-fiber diet containing plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best prevention. A recent study found that 30 grams of fiber daily (3 cups of legumes, 1 cup of all-bran cereal or 5 prunes) lowers blood fat level, which in turn reduces cancer risk. In her book Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Keats, 1999), Tori Hudson, N.D., explains that an increased consumption of vegetables can reduce our risk of female cancers in several ways. "A diet rich in vegetables will protect cells from carcinogens, decrease blood levels of estrogen and render cells immune to injury from oxidative damage."

Certainly we cannot, and should not, eschew all fat in our diets, but we should strive to avoid the saturated sort (found in coconut and palm oils as well as meat, dairy and many processed foods), as it easily oxidizes into cancer-causing free radicals. Instead, reach for the monounsaturated fats found in avocados and olive and canola oils, which have no association with breast cancer.

Taken in moderate amounts, phytoestrogens (compounds abundant in soy foods) are also thought to be beneficial in guarding against breast cancer. "Phytoestrogens are weak estrogens that compete with the cancer-promoting estrogens in a woman's body for estrogen-receptor sites in the [tissue] cells. By occupying these sites, phytoestrogens decrease hormone stimulation of tissues and thus inhibit cancer growth," explains John McDougall, M.D., author of The McDougall Program for Women (Penguin Putnam, 1999).

Get Moving

Following the American Medical Association guidelines of 30 minutes of activity five to seven days a week is a habit that could very well save your life. Exercise slows down estrogen production and as a result has been linked with reduced incidence of breast cancer. In addition, sweating rids your body of harmful toxins. According to Michael Schachter, M.D., a physician in Rockland County, N.Y., "Any activity that removes accumulated toxins in the breast reduces the chance of women developing breast cancer."

On top of that, exercise will also help keep you lean, and that can help more than your dress size. A recent study published in the journal Cancer found that women who gain weight throughout adulthood and whose fat is mainly distributed in the abdomen are at greater risk for breast cancer than those who maintain a healthy weight. The American Institute of Cancer Research recommends women limit lifetime weight gain to 11 pounds after the age of 30.

Stress reduction is another major cornerstone in maintaining good health, as high levels of stress are known to weaken our immune systems. And a compromised immune system leaves the door wide open for disease. Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, biofeedback and positive visualization are just a few of the techniques you can employ when daily stressors begin to take their toll.

Doing all you can do to avoid becoming a statistic is imperative. Here's to your health.

dr. duke's top 10 herbs

You can't even begin to talk about breast cancer prevention without thinking about the food you eat. Some of the most potent weapons in the battle against cancer are the antioxidants in cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens: the carotenoids in carrots, tomatoes and sweet potatoes; the isoflavones in soy; and the monounsaturated ("good") fat in olive oil and avocados. Other lesser-known, yet still vital, nutrients include the trace mineral selenium, found in Brazil nuts; quercetin and sulfur compounds in onions; and the powerful polyphenols packed into green tea. Beyond food, there's also a number of important herbs. To whittle down the exhaustive list, we turned to James A. Duke, Ph.D, who has more than 30 years of experience working with healing plants. For nearly 20 years he served as chief of the USDA's Medicinal Plant Laboratory, which collaborated with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to screen medicinal plants for cancer treatment. He's also the author of many books, including The Green Pharmacy (Rodale, 1997) and Dr. Duke's Essential Herbs (Rodale, 1999). All of the following recommendations are for daily doses. Check with your health care provider before self-administering.

BILBERRY (Vaccinium myrtillus) This fruit and its relatives (blueberry, cranberry, grape, plum and wild cherry) are rich in anthocyanosides, an antioxidant. Take 3 tablespoons (Tbsp.) of dried berries; 100 to 300 grams (g.) of fresh berries; 3 to 6 milliliters (ml.) of extract; 1.8 g. (1,880 milligrams [mg.]) in capsule form. Supplements should contain 25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides.

BURDOCK ROOT (Arcticum lappa) A good-source of lignans, anticancer compounds. Can be taken in capsules (460 to 475 mg. per capsule) or extract. Follow label dosage recommendations.

CELERY SEED (Apium graveolens) Contains limonene, the potent cancer-fighting compound. Take 450 to 500 mg. in capsule form. Caution: Do not use during pregnancy or if you have a kidney infection.

EVENING PRIMROSE (Oenothera biennis) An effective treatment for women at all stages of breast cancer. Take 2 to 3 teaspoons (tsp.) of oil, or 18 to 36 capsules.

GARLIC (Allium sativum) Rich in antioxidants. Eat one raw clove or 4 cooked cloves. For supplements, follow label directions.

GINGER (Zingiber officinale) Rich in antioxidants and limonene. In tincture form, take 1 g. of powdered ginger. Caution: Pregnant women or those taking anticoagulant drugs should avoid high doses.

GRAPE SEED AND LEAF (Vitis vinifera) Both contain powerful proanthocyanidins. For prevention, take 50 to 100 mg. (standardized to contain 85 percent OPCs/PCOs) and 150 to 300 mg. for therapeutic use.

RED CLOVER (Trifolium pratense) A rich source of genistein, an anticancer compound. Capsules: 40 to 80 mg.; tincture: 4 to 9 droppersful.

ROSEMARY (Rosemarinus officinalis). Sprinkle 1 to 2 g. of antioxidant-rich rosemary onto food. Tincture: 20 to 40 drops. Capsules: Follow label dosages.

TURMERIC (Curcuma domestica). Filled with numerous cancer fighting compounds. Take 1.5 to 3 g.; tincture: 20 to 45 drops.

--James J. Gormley