12 Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer

So much emphasis is being placed on screenings and testing for breast cancer detection, but surely prevention is the best medicine. ICIM Medics have compiled information on what factors can lead to breast cancer, you can read more about this from the article on ’12 steps to help YOU prevent breast cancer’.

So, if you suffer from some of the nutritional, dietary or lifestyle aspects that can possibly contribute to breast cancer – what methods can we implement to help evaluate your health ?

12 Steps to help YOU prevent Breast Cancer

1. BMI – body mass index should be less than 25. Try to maintain a healthy body weight throughout your life.  At ICIM Medics patients attending can get their BMI calculated and programs implemented to help target and achieve healthy BMI values of less than 25. Weight gain in midlife has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk.
2. Fruit and vegetable intake. Try to consume seven or more servings daily. ICIM Medics offer nutritional and mineral testing where appropriate. Alternatively  ICIM Blood Analysis can help identify problems with absorption, digestion and some nutritional deficiencies.
3. Exercise. Many studies have confirmed that implementing regular exercise plans offers great protection against breast cancer.
4. Alcohol intake should be minimized or avoided. It is well established that increased alcohol intake is a dietary risk factor for breast cancer.  ICIM Medics provide patients with access to blood testing to evaluate liver function as well as ultrasound examinations. In addition specialised blood testing to evaluate the detoxification pathways I and II of the liver can be conducted for patients. A compromised liver can lead to raised oestrogen levels.
5. Carbohydrates. ICIM Medics provide their patients with access to nutritional and dietary guidance regarding good and bad carbohydrates.
6. Fats in your diet. The type of fat in your diet can affect your breast cancer risk. Advice from ICIM Medical Practitioners can help guide you as to which fats are most healthy for you.
7. Consume whole food soy products regularly, such as tofu, tempeh, edamame, roasted soy nuts, soy milk and miso. Only consume organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) soy. Epidemiologic studies have shown a positive association between soy consumption and reduced breast cancer risk. ICIM’s Natural Practitioners can help guide and help implement new dietary strategies
8. Nutritional Supplements. A multivitamin, 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C in divided doses, 200-400 IUs of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Also take 200 mcg of the mineral selenium or eat one to two Brazil nuts as an alternative. If you have a chronic medical condition or take prescription drugs, consult your physician first. ICIM Medics also conduct nutritional and mineral testing to monitor nutritional status.
9. Pharmacologic oestrogens and xeno-estrogens. Do not take prescription estrogens unless medically indicated. Lifetime exposure to oestrogen plays a fundamental role in the development of breast cancer. Also avoid oestrogen-like compounds found in environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals. ICIM Medics provide blood tests to evaluate exposure to pesticides where suspected. See their toxicity profile.
10. Positive mental outlook. Engage in self-nurturing behaviours regularly. Develop rich, warm and mutually beneficial relationships with family and friends. Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night). The mind-body associations with breast cancer are significant. ICIM Medics provide patients with access to Medical Qi Gong – breathing exercises to help balance the bodies energy flow and to learn how to build energy for health.
11. Digestion. Oestrogen is excreted via the large intestine. If you suspected digestive related problems get them seen to. Constipation, bowel flora imbalance and lack of fiber in the diet can lead to oestrogen being reabsorbed back into your system. The ICIM Blood Analysis can help to identify digestive insufficiencies or imbalances.
12. Meat consumption. Diets high in animal flesh and fat can contribute to tumor promoting byproducts. This type of diet produces increased concentrations of Bacteroides sp. and induces bacterial urease and beta-glucuronidase activity. These enzymes may then metabolize bile acids to tumour promoters and deconjugate excreted oestrogens, raising the plasma oestrogen level. Epidemiologic data implicates this type of dysbiosis (intestinal flora imbalance) in the pathogenises of colon and breast cancer. It is usually corrected by decreasing dietary fat and animal flesh, increasing fiber consumption and consuming probiotic preparations. Stool Analysis at ICIM Medics can help establish levels of beta-glucuronidase activity. In addition ICIM Blood Analysis can be helpful in evaluating protein digestion.

What Can I do to help detect Breast Cancer Early ?

ICIM Medics Breast Assessment. ICIM Medics not only provide information on breast cancer prevention but also implement their breast assessment for early detection of breast cancer. This assessment is designed for women of all ages but is especially helpful for those who are under 50 and do not qualify for national breast cancer program. The ICIM Medics Breast Assessment uses 5 methods to evaluate risk of breast cancer through their questionnaire, measure physiological changes (these are the most early changes which occur before an actual mass results – this is measured using CTI (computerised thermographic imaging), an advanced technology and first introduced to Ireland by ICIM Medics. In addition to this ICIM Medics also measure anatomical changes via ultrasound examination. Their Specialist GP also conducts a clinical breast examination followed by tumour marker testing. All this is done within 1 hour with immediate results. Patients no longer have to wait and worry, its all over in an hour. Patients can also have access to ICIM’s nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.

Tags: Advice, Breast Cancer