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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Statistics suggest that one in every nine women will develop breast cancer before the age of eighty-five. Cancerous lumps can arise anywhere in the breast and are often first detected by the woman herself. A biopsy is required to identify a lump as cancerous, as many breast lumps are actually benign. Signs and symptoms include a lump or thickening in the breast, pain in the breast, and nipple discharge. The exact causes of breast cancer are unknown but many believe that the female hormone estrogen that promotes cell growth in the breast tissue may be the culprit. Other contributing factors may include heredity, obesity, early onset of menstruation, menopause after age fifty-five, and having no children. In all these cases the breast is exposed to more estrogen over longer periods. This disease is most common in women over forty.
Soy foods, green tea, and cruciferous vegetables are associated with reduced risk of cancer, as are diets high in vegetables and low in animal fats.
How Alternative Medicine may potentially help?
Herbal and nutritional antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which may promote cancer. Certain herbs and nutrients have direct anti-cancer properties or boost enhance immune function. To date, the National Cancer Institute has investigated only about 2 of the world's 250,000 known plant species for anti-cancer activity.
The subject of cancer prevention and therapy is very complex. To better understand the issues involved, we highly recommend the leading scientific reference book "Cancer & Natural Medicine," by John Boik, from Oregon Medical Press (telephone 612-389-0768).
Herbs
 | Astragalus root has properties that may enhance immune function. |
| Garlic has properties that may enhance immune function. |
| Maitake and other mushroom species have shown anti-cancer potential. |
| Beta Glucan - boosting immune system |
| Lutein -- a compound that belongs to the carotenoid family and is found spinach, kale and broccoli -- was found to inhibit breast cancer cells in a study published in the Faseb Journal. |
| Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases are studying genistein, which they suspect may be the reason why Asian women (who have soy-based diets) have lower rates of breast and other cancers than American women. |
| A study in the Japanese Journal of Cancer Research concludes that an increased consumption of green tea can improve the prognosis of women who are diagnosed with stage I and II breast cancers. |
Vitamins
| It is important to ensure optimal nutrition, by eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and by taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement. |
Minerals
| Selenium is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful free radical scavenger. |
Other Supplements may help
| Melatonin is an extremely powerful antioxidant and sleep-controlling hormone, secreted by the pineal gland. It has recently been found to inhibit growth of a wide range of cancers in animals. Cancer patients should not take melatonin or any other hormonal substance except under an oncologist's guidance. |
| Bovine and shark cartilage may inhibit growth of tumors, but lack convincing evidence of clinical efficacy and must not be relied upon as main therapies. |