About Breast Cancer

There are many factors that contribute to breast cancer. The California Preventative Medicine Foundation have targeted Marin County for its research because it has the highest rate of breast cancer in the nation. Recent studies at UCSF has found that Alcohol consumption especially two or more glasses of wine per day, hormone replacement therapy or HRT, excessive mammography and other x-rays are major contributors to these soaring statistics. The CPMF has been researching the known causes of breast cancer for over 10 years. The nutritional protocols, listed in this website, support the immune system if you have been exposed to toxins or have taken hormones for a length of time. See Staying Healthy.

How breast cancer forms is simple: When we are under stress we stop producing 'T' and 'B' cells which are part of our immune system. They help the lymphocytes carry off toxins and dead cells. When they are not there to do their job these dead cells accumulate and start reproducing with the dysfunctional DNA. As long as they stay within the milk ducts of the breasts they are considered DCIS a pre-cancerous condition. But if a woman has excessive estrogen stored in the fat cells in her breast then this can encourage the blood supply to start feeding these abnormal cells and it soon moves outside the duct and becomes a malignancy.

There are many ways that the body is exposed to excessive estrogen which is also considered the cause of prostrate cancer in men. Women who have a number of abortions or miscarriages can cause what is called an interrupted hormonal flow, as the women is left with an over abundance of estrogen which then stores in the fat cells in the breasts. Drinking or eating of micro-waved food in plastic can release estrogen mimicking dioxin which also stores in the breast. Taking birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy as part of menopausal treatment for hot flashes, or fertility drugs all are estrogen hormones that can cause breast cancer.

Much research has been done on nutritional supplements. The medical paradigm for treatment of breast cancer is surgical removal of the tumor or a mastectomy or partial mastectomy if it is not in an isolated lump. A routine sampling of 25 lymph nodes may be removed to see if they are involved. Then chemotherapy to stop the spreading of the cancer cells, which should only be recommended if the lymphatic system is involved, as it is contra-indicated for breast cancer. Radiation is usually recommended for DCIS because they don't know what else to do - here again chemotherapy is not recommended for DCIS unless the lymphatic system or other organs are involved. In his book 'Enough Already! The Over treatment of Early Breast Cancer', George Goldberg addressed that many times mastectomy is performed when a lumpectomy would have been just as effective. There is documentation that the reoccurrence happens just as often in women with radical mastectomies as lumpectomies, so removing the entire breast is not the cure. More recent studies note that women with their breasts intact have a more active sex life and the added affection adds to their longevity. Here it would be prudent to add that a sentinel node biopsy, where dye is placed in the tumor to find the exact lymph nodes that are involved with the tumor for removal and biopsy, is far less invasive. It also leaves the lymphatic system intact, helping the immune system stay strong. In most cases where 15 to 30 lymph nodes are removed from the surgery site, the arm swells up with lymph edema, a permanent malady there after.

Natural options for adressing degenerative diseases are numerous and have proven to be successful. These suggestions should in no way replace the advice of your surgeon. Education about how to build the immune system is our primary goal. A comprehensive immune support program is outlined in the section of this sight called Staying Healthy. Acupuncture has been found to address immune deficiencies because they perform ‘pulse diagnosis’ which can address your current situation and support organ weakness on a regular basis with needles and herbs. There are studies that use heat treatment, the Gerson Clinic, and the Optimum Health Institute in Lemon Grove, are wonderful support resources with dietary suggestions. We do suggest that you find a reputable practitioner who looks at your history and addresses your entire being with a comprehensive regimen.