Natural Breast Cancer Prevention

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and promote and encourage taking the steps to detect the disease in its early stages. According to estimates by the American Cancer Society, about 232,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 39,600 will die from the disease.

These numbers are no laughing matter. It is important to provide the knowledge of prevention with those who may be unaware; while there is extensive information available about pharmaceutical or other medical prevention and treatment options, there is less information out there about natural preventative measures.

There are many natural methods of reducing your likelihood of developing cancer that do not have the harmful side-effects of strange chemicals:

Vitamin D

The importance of vitamin D for cancer prevention has become increasingly studied (more than 830 peer-reviewed scientific studies, to be exact). Carole Baggerly, founder-director of an organization named GrassrootsHealth that is dedicated to increasing awareness about the crucial role vitamin D plays in health, even goes so far as to state that 90% of ordinary breast cancer is related to a vitamin D deficiency. This isn’t surprising, as vitamin D influences more than 2,000 genes in your body (about 10% of all your genes). Keeping your levels between 70-100 ng/ml may drastically reduce your cancer risk!

Insulin Levels

Limiting the amount of sugar/fructose and processed foods you consume and regulating your insulin levels is another way to lower your risk for developing breast cancer. Research has even shown that refined fructose actually speeds up cancer growth.

Self-Exam

Perform a self-examination on your breasts once per month. You know your body best; if you find anything abnormal, consult a doctor immediately. Self-exam is one of the best ways to catch breast cancer early.

Iron Levels

Keep an eye on your iron levels; excessive iron in your system can be a powerful oxidant, increasing free radicals and your risk of cancer. High iron levels are common in post-menopausal women and women who already have breast cancer. One test you may want to get done is to check that your Ferritin levels (the iron transport protein) are under 80. If you find that this level is high, you can donate blood to reduce it.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol and smoking are lifestyle choices that can help reduce your risk of breast cancer. When your health and wellness is on the line, making gradual changes in your lifestyle can mean the difference between cancer and cancer-free.

Massage

Massage your breasts daily (or see a professional massage therapist regularly) to stimulate blood flow, oxygen and lymphatic drainage.