Breast Cancer 2011

It is predicted that about 230,000 women in the US will get diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2011, and about 40,000 will die from the disease. Besides for being a woman, age is the second highest risk factor ⁽¹⁾. Most women that receive the diagnose, develops the disease after menopause which is linked to hormone changes in the body.  Without the menstrual cycle the body no longer produces progesterone in adequate amounts and allows the estrogen levels to rise above preferred levels in comparison - a high risk factor for developing Breast Cancer. Using natural progesterone cream is one way of preventing the horrifying diagnose.⁽³⁾

Vitamin D also has a crucial role in preventing Breast Cancer. We can see this in numbers that shows there are less Breast Cancer diagnoses during the summer months, and that Breast cancer more often hit women in the Northeast compared to the sunny Southwest. The sunlight is our most important natural provider of vitamin D as the body transforms the UV-radiation into Vitamin D in the skin. Studies have shown that Vitamin D blood levels over 40ng/ml (100mmol/l) will lower the risk of Breast Cancer with 30%. And many cancer centers today are giving patients 5,000 IU (125 mcg) of Vitamin D3 a day to boost their immune system.⁽²⁾ 

Get enough sleep! Melatonin production has been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer. Melatonin is a hormone that is being released while you are sleeping. However, the hormone can only be produced under completely darkness, so sleeping with the TV on or a light somewhere will inhibit the very important hormone from being produced.⁽²⁾

While there are many risk factors linked to developing Breast Cancer not much is said about what affects the outcome. Many studies have shown that blood type is highly linked to Breast Cancer outcome in the following matter:

Blood type O – Slightly degree of resistance, and lower risk of death
Blood type A – Higher risk, worse outcomes, and more rapid progression (Type A is overly represented in Brest Cancer victims)
Blood type B – Slight degree of resistance, and lower risk of death unless there is a family history of breast cancer, higher risk of recurrence
Blood type AB – Higher risk, worse outcomes, and more rapid progression⁽⁴⁾

General recommendations on diets are often given in order to prevent Cancer and other diseases. While we all need to eat more vegetables and fruits it is also important to understand that not all ‘good’ food is good for everyone. Different people thrive on different nutrition based on our genetic history; food can either make your immune system stronger or weaker. To blindly following a, for example: “no red meat and more whole wheat” recommendation can be destructive for some, while wonderful for others.⁽⁴⁾

Men also have a slight risk of developing breast cancer, although very uncommon. About 2,000 men is predicted to get the diagnose in the US in 2011 and most of them will be between the age of 65 and 67. Men usually get the diagnose further into the development of the disease as men are less likely to have it medically examined as early as women does.⁽¹⁾

Increasing your awareness of breast cancer might save you from getting the dreaded diagnose, or help you recover from it. Make sure you take advantage of the knowledge you are given. __________________________________________
(1) Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 2011
(2) Vitamin D Council, 2011
(3) Dr. John R. Lee M.D. “Hormone Balance Made Simple”, 2006
(4) Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo “Live Right For Your Type”, 2001