Musculoligamentous Spasm

Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S. Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)

Breast Cancer Risks & Prevention

The good news is that breast cancer is a disease of long duration, and we have daily opportunities over a lifetime to make decisions that will encourage the body to get rid of cancer. ~ John R. Lee, M.D., “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast”

Cancer

Does breast cancer run in your family? Did you know that breast cancer is the second most common cancer found in women, accounting for one of every three diagnoses? While this devastating disease calls for physician guidance, you may be able to prevent it by empowering yourself with numerous lifestyle choices and knowledge of certain nutrients.

Breast Cancer Defined

New cells constantly replace most body cells, requiring the replaced cells to die after a certain period of time. As new cells grow, they differentiate into the special type of tissue they were meant to be.

While there are numerous types of breast cancer, it generally occurs when breast tissue cells, which lose their ability to differentiate and die at a genetically predetermined pace, divide and grow without control and accumulate into a mass of extra tissue called a tumor. A malignant/cancerous tumor grows by eliciting new blood vessel growth and diverting the blood supply and nutrients from the surrounding healthy tissues (called angiogenesis). Usually more than one “insult” from a carcinogen (which may be a hormone, chemical, virus, radiation, and/or trauma) causes the damage to a normal cell’s genetic material that causes it to develop into a cancerous cell.

By the time a malignant breast tumor can be felt as a lump, it may have been growing for 8-12 years. Preventive measures such as a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle, nutritional supplementation, and exercise, are of primary importance against the development of cancer.

The Conventional Approach

Traditional medicine focuses on reducing the risk of dying from breast cancer. To promote early detection and treatment, conventional medicine strongly emphasizes annual clinical breast exams, mammograms, other diagnostic tests (i.e., sonograms, MRIs, and digital infrared thermal imaging), and monthly self-examinations. Unfortunately, mammogram frequency guidelines are varied, controversial & confusing: (1) American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists- women aged 40+ with average risk should be offered them annually (previously said women in their 40s could be screened every 1-2 years); (2) American Cancer Society/American College of Radiology- women aged 40+ with average risk should receive them annually; (3) U.S. Preventive Services task force (2009) - women and their doctors should discuss whether to start mammograms in their 40s based on specific risk/benefit analyses (previously recommended women 40+ should be tested every 1-2 years); women aged 50-74 with average risk should receive them every 2 years.

Early detection is critical because early-stage invasive cancer is considered very treatable since the tumor is relatively small and the cancer cells have not spread to the lymph nodes. A tumor is far