10 Steps for Avoiding Breast Cancer
By Dr Jeanne Stryker, MD
We are now discovering that there are many causes of cancer, viewed by the majority
as the most dreaded disease. What does this really mean and what can we do about
it? When I first see a patient in my office, I explain my program for avoiding breast
cancer as a step by step process.
- Diet – Avoid anything white! It is true that when you eat refined carbohydrates
(pasta, white rice, cookies, cakes and pies), sugar, processed foods as well as
hormone and antibiotic injected meat, poultry, dairy and pesticide ridden fish,
you have elevated your insulin and glucose levels; increased your inflammatory white
blood cells, and triggered a cascade of negative events. A chronic diet of refined
white foods causes a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is
one risk factor linked to breast cancer. Consuming a diet with fresh fruits, vegetables
and purified water will help to keep your gastrointestinal system, kidney and skin
clean and functioning properly; these organs are crucial to detoxification and excretion.
Eat a rainbow of colored foods which are high in lycopenes (relative of carotene
which is in carrots); these interfere with the growth promoting effect of IGF-1
on breast cancer cells, and they improve the expression of breast cancer suppressor
genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. IGF-1, insulin growth factor, is a hormone similar to insulin
which supports cancer development. In summary, when you eat a variety of fruits
and vegetables every day, you reduce your risk of breast cancer.
- Lifestyle Choices - Prevention is the key! Choose the correct path with the help
of specialized healthcare practitioners who can provide you with testing and treatments
options that are not available in conventional medical offices. They can provide
services for hormones and hormonal balance in addition to breast imaging prevention
and screening with thermography and sonography. In addition, you should make the
choice to eat right, take supplements, exercise, reduce stress, rest, avoid environmental
toxicity and experience joy every day!
- Toxin Elimination - We live in a toxic world. We consume food injected with hormones
and antibiotics and are exposed to environmental chemicals and pollutants which
means you have more carcinogens and hormone disruptors in addition to synthetic
estrogens which your body sees as a powerful estrogen (xenoestrogen). The result
is that your body becomes an estrogen dominant environment. Powerful estrogens communicate
with your DNA, meaning that they can potentially send an incorrect message; even
worse, these estrogens can cause excessive cell proliferation in cells with damaged
DNA. Now, you have awakened the cell and caused abnormal growth. A consistent detoxification
program combined with proper exercise will ensure that these poisons leave your
body.
- Hormonal balance - This enables all of your hormones to perform their job accurately
and adequately so you experience the advantages of each one, not the disadvantages
associated with imbalances such as abnormal cell growth and proliferation, physiological
changes and emotional upset. Hormones can be balanced through natural hormone supplementation,
herbal therapies and acupuncture.
- Specific Nutrients - These supplements act as catalysts in enzymatic reactions in
the hormone, neurotransmitter and detoxification processes - all critical functions
to prevent breast cancer. I always recommend 1000 ucg of methylated B12. It helps
in Phase II liver detoxification through a process called methylation. This process
weakens the estrogen hormone so it is excreted in the bile for delivery to the intestinal
or kidney system for excretion; it also encourages an estrogen metabolite called
2-OH estrone which can help repair DNA. I also suggest at least 800 ucg of activated
folic acid (involved in formation and repair of DNA and also methylates). Cruciferous
extracts called DIM (200-400 mg a day) can help especially if you have estrogen
dominance (relative excess of estrogen to progesterone). DIM is the active anti-breast
cancer agent and causes breast cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis). It shows
great potential in preventing cancer, especially hormone-related cancers including
breast and prostrate. If sleep is an issue, melatonin, 3 mg before bed, is also
preferred. Melatonin, which also has antioxidant capabilities, is the end of the
pathway of serotonin which is a natural antidepressant neurotransmitter; it assists
you to sleep so you regenerate, rejuvenate and repair. Taking a multi vitamin and
mineral is also recommended; it should be from a pharmaceutical grade company with
a certificate of analysis.
- Powerful antioxidants - These are needed to scavenge the free-radicals of your body
that cause oxidative stress. Rosemary, turmeric and curcumin are anti-inflammatory
while vitamin C, A, E (mixed tocopherols), green tea extract and its ingredients,
called catechins, block the effect of estrogen on its receptor, thus reducing the
growth of cancer cells. Antioxidants block the bad enzyme (aromatase) which converts
testosterone into estrogens while causing cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis)
and blocking cancer vessel growth with an enzyme called telomerase. Vitamin D (at
least 5000 IU) is essential even if you live in southern California or Florida;
consider blood testing to evaluate your levels. Iodine is also important; not only
for thyroid function, but breast cells have iodine receptors which are important
for the utilization of energy at the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA level. I routinely
place women on 12,500 to 25,000 mg a day of iodine. Remember, our soil is so depleted
today of minerals and nutrients that even consuming organic vegetables will not
provide the nutrients needed.
- Immune support - You can support your immune system with vitamin C (2500 to 5000
mg day) unless you experience bowel discomfort; if you do, decrease this recommendation
by 25% of the dose. Mushroom derivatives such as Maitake fraction “D” increase the
natural killer activity (NK) in cells as well as increase IL-2, which are cancer
suppressive cells. This causes tumor regression or symptom improvement. By providing
this type of nutritional support to your immune system, you are allowing it to do
its job and function properly.
- Stress Reduction. Stress, whether emotional, environmental, biological, physical
or physiological prompts a reaction in the adrenal glands causing a rise in cortisol,
decrease in DHEA, decrease in melatonin, decrease in immune cytokines (proteins
produced by a variety of inflammatory, immune and infectious cells in order to communicate),
decrease in progesterone and the production of a “bad” form of estrogen (estrone).
When it comes to stress, prevention is really the key. Live one day at a time; enjoy
one moment at a time; and accept hardships as the pathway to peace and character.
Find time to meditate, pray, surround yourself with positive people and stay away
from negative people. And always remember to accept the things you cannot change;
have courage to change the things you can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
- Exercise - Any form increases endorphins - those chemicals that make you feel good.
Technically speaking, you should alternate between aerobic exercise (cardiovascular)
and anaerobic exercise (stretching and weight resistance). Exercise will help you
feel better, work your muscles and sweat out toxins!
- Rest - Relax, meditate, and sleep at least 6-8 hours a night so that your immune
system and endocrine system (mainly adrenals gland, hypothalamus and pituitary glands)
can communicate and encourage regeneration; at the same time, your body will recognize
abnormal cells and preprogram them to die.
Prevention is the key. Choose the correct path with the help of hormone testing,
thermography and ultrasounds. Eat right, make good life choices, eliminate toxins,
balance your hormones, supplement, reduce stress, exercise and rest. Follow these
steps and you will stay healthy, happy and enjoy a spiritual relationship with the
world each and every day.
Thank you and have a blessed day!
Jeanne Stryker, MD
Diplomate American Board of Radiology
Fellow Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine
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