How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

The words “breast cancer” can understandably bring fear and uncertainty, particularly given how common the disease is. As stated by breastcancer.org, approximately 40,000 women succumb to Breast Cancer every year, and 1 in 8 women would develop invasive Breast Cancer in her life.

So what can you actually do to lower your risk of developing breast cancer? While there is no guaranteed way to prevent the disease, there are lifestyle and environmental factors you can take steps to address..

Some cancers can be prevented or their risk reduced through lifestyle and environmental changes, although no approach can eliminate the risk entirely. You may not be aware of it, but some possibly toxic materials are within your close contact on a usual basis. That’s why the importance of taking inventory of your personal care and household products and furnishings is a must. Exposure to certain environmental chemicals has been investigated as a potential contributor to cancer risk, including breast cancer. Recent findings are actually beginning to uncover on most of the major culprits of the disease.

A latest research of the Environmental Health Perspectives, published in the NIH (National Institutes of Health) journal, indicated that one could minimise the risk of the disease by not using certain chemicals contained in common, daily products. As recounted by Rodale, since the study discovered that animal tests can expect prospective human breast carcinogens. The researchers suggested that identifying and reducing exposure to these chemicals could be an important area for future breast cancer prevention research. Although inherited genetic mutations account for a relatively small proportion of breast cancers, breast cancer risk is influenced by a combination of genetic, hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors..

‘Every woman in America has been exposed to chemicals that may increase her risk of getting breast cancer. Unfortunately, the link between toxic chemicals and breast cancer has largely been ignored,’ says Julia Brody, PhD, study author and executive director at Silent Spring Institute. ‘Reducing chemical exposures could save many, many women’s lives.’

Some studies have investigated whether chemicals such as parabens and other compounds found in personal-care products may influence breast cancer risk. However, evidence linking everyday use of cosmetics or antiperspirants directly to breast cancer remains limited. If you are concerned about exposure, choosing products with fewer unnecessary ingredients may be a reasonable precaution.

A number of lifestyle changes may help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

Focus on a balanced diet built around minimally processed foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and healthy sources of fat and protein. Try to minimize your protein intake to 1 gram per kilogram of lean body weight. You can replace the lost protein and carbohydrates with good quality fats like coconut oil, avocados, high-quality meats and organic eggs from pastured hens.

• Avoid sugar if you can, particularly fructose. Lessen or avoid processed foods, grain-based foods and sugar/fructose from your diet. Limit added sugars and highly processed foods as part of an overall healthy diet. Rather than focusing on eliminating individual types of sugar, the emphasis should be on overall dietary quality and maintaining a healthy weight. As much as possible, reduce your overall fructose consumption to less than 25 grams daily.
• Include cancer-combating whole foods spices and herbs to your diet like broccoli.
• Maintain healthy vitamin D levels. Vitamin D plays an important role in normal immune and cellular function, and researchers continue to investigate its potential relationship with cancer risk. If you are concerned about your vitamin D status, a blood test can determine whether supplementation is appropriate.
• Go for organic products. Take account of what you use in a daily basis and if you can find some organically-produced substitutes for them, the better. Consider reducing unnecessary exposure to chemicals where practical. For household and personal-care products, you can choose products with simpler formulations and follow recommended instructions for use.

Preventing this disease is far better than trying to fight it. But how do you avoid those chemical hazards when there are just so many? The answer lies in cleaning up your life where your water, food, clothing, furnishings as well as your other items you use on a daily basis and make them as close to unprocessed and natural as possible.

Developments in Cancer-testing goes hand-in-hand with advancements in Cancer treatment. Advances in cancer research have led to a growing range of treatment approaches, which can be tailored according to the type and stage of cancer and the individual patient. At Verita Life, our integrative approach is designed to complement personalised cancer care, with treatment plans developed according to each patient's individual circumstances.

Want to learn more about an integrative approach to cancer care? Contact our team to discuss your individual circumstances and explore the options available to you.