October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the most powerful tools when it comes to breast cancer is PREVENTION. Two keys to prevention are micronutrients, and open detoxification pathways. We can prevent tumors by providing the body with appropriate micronutrients, and we can repair cellular damage by daily detoxification.
You may have heard the term “estrogen dominance.” It’s one of the common hormone imbalances people experience today. It’s a common cause of PMS, fibroids, infertility, and symptoms of menopause that we assume are a normal part of life. We also see problems with estrogen in men that can lead to prostate cancer, weight gain, and low libido. Thousands are struggling with this today and don’t even know it. There are many symptoms associated with estrogen dominance, but breast cancer is one of those. It is often caused by the body’s inability to detoxify estrogen appropriately.
Estrogen is essential in the body. It’s important for reproductive health, skin, bones, and even contributes to us psychologically. When it’s in the body in excess, it can be converted into dangerous metabolites that cause DNA damage or drive specific cancers in the body.
Estrogen dominance is a problem today because we’re exposed to xenoestrogens and many other chemical estrogens in our environment. These cause disruptions in our endocrine system which lead to excess hormones in the body.
How are we exposed to this toxic estrogen?
- Cosmetics and personal care products are a big source. Things like shampoo and conditioner, makeup, body lotions, and perfumes have endocrine disruptors. This is not only true for estrogens, but also progesterone. Many of those lip plumpers or wrinkle reducers have hormone disruptors in them. I use an app called Think Dirty and it allows me to scan my personal care products to get rid of the ones that have known endocrine disruptors.
- Household cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, and other fragrances we use in our homes can also disrupt our hormones. You can use the EWG app and begin to switch some of your toxic cleaning products with non-toxic versions.
- Plastics are another big source. There was a big movement to remove plastics from our home that contain BPA. The problem is that BPA is not the only plastic hardener out there that disrupts our hormones. So be careful purchasing bpa-free products because that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe. Many of these products have been replaced with other plastic hardeners such as BPS, which is even more toxic than BPA. Work toward removing plastics from your home and use glass drinking bottles and pyrex containers, especially when using them to heat foods or beverages.
- Xenoestrogens can also be found in our food. The best way to avoid these endocrine disruptors is to eat organic foods that are free from pesticides and herbicides. Also, purchase grass-fed or pasture-raised meat that is not fed hormones or antibiotics. Consuming cleaner, organic, and local foods increases your vitamins and nutrients, which is another way to prevent cancer and other diseases.
Doing small things every day that help limit your exposure to hormone disruptors can make a huge difference in the prevention of cancer and disease. Another way you can keep estrogen metabolism working for you and your body is to make sure that you have key micronutrients on board. Things like magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin B3, vitamin A, and cysteine are key nutrients for hormonal health. Lacking proper nutrition sets the stage for more serious illness like cancer to invade the body.
One of the tests I love to run is a micronutrient panel, which gives me guidance around whether or not I need to take steps to correct imbalance. Another great test for determining excess estrogen or an imbalance in hormones is the DUTCH test. This test can give insight into whether or not a person is estrogen dominant, or if a person is preferring a detox pathway that opens them up for DNA damage or a greater potential for cancer. These are great tests that allow us to take a peek inside the body and make corrections before a disease process begins.
Having the right building blocks is a key component.
Every person is unique, inside and out. And there are many things that affect our own personal nutritional needs, including age, lifestyle, metabolism, prescription drug use, illnesses, and whether or not a person is even absorbing nutrients. Cleaning up the body and repairing cellular damage is a great way to prevent hormonal imbalance that can lead to things like breast cancer and other disease processes.
Breast cancer health is so much more than a mammogram.
Speaking of mammograms, thermography is actually a safer, painless, and more accurate alternative. Thermal imaging is a diagnostic technique that allows for early detection. While detection is an important part, the key is that we know how to reduce toxins from our environment that are contributing to breast cancer and other diseases.
We talked about some of the ways you can reduce your exposure to cancer. These are great tools to help you reduce the risk factors so you can decrease your chances of ever getting cancer.
Cancer doesn’t happen overnight. We talked about some of the risk factors like heavy or painful periods, fibroids, weight gain, and infertility. Other things to consider are, ovarian cysts, adult acne, chronic fatigue, or autoimmune conditions. If you’re suffering from any of these things or have a history of breast cancer in your family, or a history of a diet high in processed foods, something like the DUTCH hormone test could be beneficial when it comes to prevention.
The awesome thing is, even if you have a genetic predisposition, you don’t have to be another statistic. You have a choice to take your health into your own hands.
If you prefer video version, catch this 7 minute video with the same information.
If you need help gaining access to the right resources so you can live in Optimal Health, take a moment to schedule an Optimal Health and Wellness Discovery session with me today.