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 Are You at Risk for Breast Cancer? How do you know if you have an increased risk of breast cancer? There are several well- documented risk factors for breast cancer. They are listed in the lower left corner of page 1. There are also scientific tests that can be performed to determine a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer develops when genetic information (DNA) in cells is damaged. Tests that determine the amount of damage cells are exposed to, help determine risk. Estrogen increases the rate at which cells grow. When damaged cells are exposed to excessive estrogen they are stimulated to grow, which can result in cancer. Therefore, by determining a woman’s estrogen exposure, we have the information needed to determine her risk of breast cancer. If you have any of the breast cancer risk factors, it is important that you are tested. Even if you have none of the risk factors, you should be tested, because living in the United States puts a woman at an increased risk of breast cancer. Of the women who developed breast cancer, 70%- 80% had none of the risk factors that are listed. Saliva testing is able to measure how much your cells and tissues are exposed to estrogen. After determining your level of risk, we can help you formulate a strategy to decrease your risk. By making the necessary changes in diet and lifestyle and taking appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements, a woman can stop living in fear and know that she is doing everything she can to avoid breast cancer. |
 Preventing Breast Cancer …. Protect Your DNA. DNA, found in every cell of the body, contains all the information needed to perform all of its cellular functions. If this information gets damaged and the cell is directed to function abnormally, disease develops. Free radicals damage DNA. Free radicals play a role in aging, heart disease, cancer, and most degenerative diseases. Free radicals are produced by the breakdown of fat inside your body. External sources of free radicals include radiation from the sun, cigarette smoke, air pollutants such as heavy metals, organic solvents in cleaning and home products, pesticides and food additives. The less you are exposed to these free radicals, the lower your breast cancer risk. There are tests available that can determine your body’s free radical exposure. These tests can also determine if your body is able to effectively eliminate free radicals. To protect yourself from these free radicals, you need anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants search for free radicals and neutralize them. Examples of anti-oxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium. These substances are available in fruits and vegetables. Other powerful antioxidants include pigmented or colorful vegetables that contain carotenes, pigmented fruits like cherries and blueberries, and garlic is also a powerful anti-oxidant. Folic acid and other B vitamins are needed to repair damaged DNA. Folic acid is found in dark green leafy vegetables, fruit, and peas. Another powerful antioxidant is green tea. Green tea has been studied extensively and has been proven to be very effective in preventing cancer. You need to drink 3-4 cups per day to receive a therapeutic benefit. Eating fruits and vegetables is the best way to obtain anti-oxidants. If you are taking supplements, it is best to determine whether or not you actually need all the supplements that you are taking. Nutritional testing can determine your vitamin and mineral needs. |
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