In Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, she explains that female breasts are glandular organs loaded with hormone receptors. This makes breasts sensitive to even small hormonal changes in the body. Breast go through cyclical changes that coincide with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and childbirth.
If a woman has a normal menstrual cycle, each month, the breasts prepare for the possibility of pregnancy in response to the ebb and flow of female hormones (primarily estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin). During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce estrogen hormones in increasing quantities, stimulating cell growth in the glands, ducts, and fibrous tissues of the breasts. This increase in cell activity leads to increased blood flow to the breast, which some women experience as fullness or tenderness.
In the middle of the menstrual cycle, the ovary releases an egg, stimulating the release of progesterone into the bloodstream. Progesterone provides additional stimulation to the gland cells, further increasing the blood flow and amount of fluid seeping from the ducts into the breast tissue, which makes some women’s breasts feel heavy or painful, three to four days before their period. During pregnancy, prolactin is produced, which triggers the production of breast milk at delivery.
If pregnancy doesn’t occur, hormonal levels shift again as menstruation begins. The changes in the breast that hormones stimulated are reversed. The swelling of breast tissue diminishes and the breast softens.
In a healthy breast, new cell growth and fluid production subside and the thickening, lumps, and pain usually disappear fairly quickly. Lumps that persist or reoccur might indicate a breast condition. The best course of action is to report any breast lump, pain, or concern you have to your healthcare practitioner.
BREAST CANCER
The specific cause and cures for breast cancer are as yet unknown. Like many cancers, breast cancer treatments have been based on the idea that cancer develops due to rampant cell growth. While that is partly true, scientists have discovered that it is more likely that growth results from the failure of a self-destruct mechanism in bad cells.
The body’s cells are constantly being compromised or damaged by carcinogens, free radicals, and other harmful substances. Normally, the damaged cells are quickly eliminated through a pre-programmed process of cell death, called apoptosis. If apoptosis fails, however, the cancerous cells continue to divide and grow unchecked, resulting in tumors.
ESTOGEN AND BREAST TISSUE
Breast tissue is highly sensitive to hormones, especially estrogen. The presence of estrogen encourages breast cells to multiply. This helps explain why men develop breast cancer less often, even though they also have breast tissue, they have less exposure to estrogen than women.
Estrogen is associated with most breast cancer cases. Two distinct types of breast cancer have been identified. A more common estrogen-dependent form, and a less common non-estrogen-dependent form. Many medical professionals and researchers believe that the prevalence of breast cancer is due to prolonged exposure to estrogens, particularly “foreign” estrogens that is, estrogens not produced by the body.
Modern medicine has expanded women’s “estrogen window” with the use of oral contraceptives (synthetics not compounded) followed by estrogen replacement therapy later in life. This also refers to synthetics one-size-fits all prescriptions not compounded.
Increased exposure to estrogen increases the risk of developing breast cancer. This is particularly true when progesterone has not been prescribed as part of a balanced compounded hormone replacement therapy. See my article on my site about compounded vs. synthetic hormone replacement formulas.
Unchecked by progesterone, estrogen may lead to uncontrolled growth of breast tissue, including cancer. Progesterone is necessary to limit the growth and direct it into a different type of cell, which eventually dies off naturally. According to Dr. Northrup, evidence suggests that progesterone may reduce not only the spread of breast cancer but also the incidence of new cases.
THE RISKS
Having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll develop breast cancer, however, you need to know how much each risk factor impacts you.
Risk begins to rise at the age of 40 and increases with age, says Richard W. Reitherman, M.D., Ph.D. director of breast imaging at Memorial Care Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.
FAMILY HISTORY
Having a first-degree relative (sister, mother, daughter) or two or more first- or second- degree relatives (aunt, grandmother) diagnosed raises your risk, and more so if the relative developed breast cancer of 45 or younger.
A family history of ovarian cancer also increase the chances you might be carrying the BRCA gene, which ups your breast cancer risk. Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of either cancers. Or any cancers for that matter.
CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
Lifestyle habits make a difference. Eat healthy. Obesity (a BMI over 25) is the single greatest modifiable lifestyle risk for breast cancer. More body fat increases estrogen levels, which can lead to cancer. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and other sources of fiber like beans and foods with “good” fat like avocados and nuts.
EXERCISE
Aim for at least 30 minutes five days a week of vigorous exercise where you get sweaty, like brisk walking, jogging, biking, swimming. This helps you stay at a healthy weight and can lower circulating estrogen levels.
LIMIT ALCOHOL
Alcohol impacts how your body metabolizes estrogen, and drinking too much can cause higher concentrations of the hormones, which can lead to breast cancer. Experts say one drink a day is the limit for women.
Going through cancer treatments can be very difficult to endure. Loosing taste buds makes it difficult to enjoy healthy foods. You will probably have a metallic or extremely sour taste. Connect with a clinical nutritionist for additional help through this.
