For women in the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women in the US will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
At Happy Hormone Cottage, we join various organizations and initiatives in observing breast cancer awareness. We take our support to the next level by offering tests to help eliminate risk factors and maintain breast health. We also provide supplements that give you a fighting chance if you develop breast cancer.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, there are several steps that you can take to reduce your risk of developing the disease. Let’s explore them below.
What is Breast Cancer? Symptoms and Risk Factors
Breast cancer is a health condition in which the cells in the breast tissue grow out of control. There are many different types of breast cancer, but the most common are ductal carcinomas, which start in the milk ducts, and lobular carcinomas, which start in the milk-producing lobules. Breast cancer can also occur in other parts of the breast, such as the stroma (the connective tissue), the lymph nodes (glands that are part of the immune system), and blood vessels.
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast. Other symptoms may include changes in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge, or changes in the skin of the breast, such as redness, dimpling, or thickening. In some cases, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms at all, especially in early stages.
There are many risk factors for breast cancer, including age, family history, personal history of breast cancer, overproduction of estrogen, certain genetic mutations, radiation exposure, and alcohol consumption. However, the most important risk factor for breast cancer is gender – simply being a woman puts you at greater risk for developing breast cancer. According to the World Health Organization, women are roughly 100 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than men (yes, men get breast cancer, too).
There are several things you can do for breast cancer prevention. These include:
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Avoiding smoking
- Starting a weight loss journey if needed
- Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise
- Getting regular screening
Imagine for Early Breast Cancer Detection
One of the most important things you can do is have regular breast cancer screenings. Studies show that early detection can improve survival odds by nearly 90%! There are several imaging options available today, including mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds, and thermography.
While you may have heard about mammograms and other imaging options, thermography is designed as a non-invasive, supplemental tool that uses digital infrared thermal imaging to locate “hot spots” in breast tissue. Changes in blood flow and inflammation are hallmarks of cancer and can be seen in high-resolution images taken during thermography.
Thermography units are portable and relatively affordable, and can be used on individuals who are sensitive or wish to limit radiation imaging. We recommend thermography at HHC and offer thermoscans on the second Monday of each month with our mobile thermography unit. Please note there is an out-of-pocket fee for these upper-body and breast scans.
How Your Diet Helps Prevent or Fight Against Breast Cancer
Diet is one of the most important factors in breast cancer prevention. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer and may also help to fight against cancer cells if you have been diagnosed. The list below includes foods that have special compounds, antioxidants, and other healing properties that lower inflammation, support detoxification, deactivate carcinogens, and strengthen your immune system:
- Dark leafy greens: kale and spinach
- Berries: strawberries and blueberries
- Citrus fruits: oranges and grapefruits
- Low-sodium fermented foods: kombucha and kefir
- Fatty fish: salmon and tuna
- Cruciferous vegetables: cabbage and cauliflower
- Pomegranate
- Green tea
- Dry beans: kidney beans and chickpeas
- Allium vegetables: garlic and onions
- Herbs and spices: rosemary and ginger
Don’t Forget to Exercise
There simply is no replacement for a healthy lifestyle when it comes to helping prevent cancer, and daily exercise is a big part of that. To slash your risk of developing breast cancer, get moving. The National Cancer Institute recommends at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.
An exercise regimen will also help you lose and maintain your weight, which is important for preventing cancer by reducing inflammation, keeping hormones in balance, and improving metabolic health.
Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment Options Available in Centerville, Ohio
At Happy Hormone Cottage, we want to help you live your healthiest, cancer-free life. That’s why we offer advanced testing with the GX Sciences Test, which analyzes methylation – a vital biochemical process that regulates your body at a cellular level. Measuring methylation may indicate breast cancer by showing changes in genes that normally protect against cancer.
HHC has supplements available, such as DIM Evail, Dimension 3, and Estrogen MET to help the body balance and safely eliminate excess estrogen. Another helpful supplement we often recommend is glutathione. This antioxidant has been shown to help safely regulate estrogen, support immune function, and promote detoxification — all highly beneficial qualities when fighting cancer. Two options for this are topical glutathione that can be applied to the inner wrists daily, or N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) capsules, which can be converted to glutathione in the body.
Furthermore, we can get to the bottom of unexplained weight gain through the ReGENErate genetic test. It provides answers that help you take more strategic steps to lose weight and lower your cancer risk.
If you would like to schedule a thermoscan as a supplement for breast cancer imaging, we recommend Mindful Wellness Medical Thermography.
Shop now at our online store or by visiting us at our location. Call (513) 444-6343 to speak with a team member or schedule a consultation online today!