Breast Cancer--Cutting the Risk

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

In 2005, (the most recent year numbers are available), 186,467 women and 1,764 men were diagnosed withbreast cancer. In that same year, 41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer.Are you at risk of developing breast cancer? Synthetic estrogens can place women (and men) at greater risk for developing breast cancer by increasing their estrogen levels hundreds of times. Studies indicate a clear connection between HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and breast cancer.

A 2002 study shows women taking HRT for just 5 years had a 40% greater risk of developing breast cancer. Another study indicated that long-term HRT may increase the risk of one of the most dangerous types of breast cancer as much as 85%. Women who inherit the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene have up to 85% chance of developing the disease. Breast cancer or prostate cancer in a woman’s father’s family doubles her risk. The greatest rise in breast cancer occurred after World War II, an era that ushered in massive amounts of newchemicals, processed foods, and drugs like super strong antibiotics and hormone therapy. Public awarenessregarding common synthetic estrogens has increased over the past few years. To name a few, commonsynthetic estrogens can be found in every day items such as: pesticides, household chemicals, commonplastics.

The mammogram debate: Early detection can mean less radical medical intervention, but it is not prevention.The scientific community still debates whether or not death rates from breast cancer are reduced at all by mammograms in women under 50. A study reported in the National Cancer Institute Journal indicated that false positives occurred 16% of the time. Other research indicates mammograms can miss cancer 15% of the time. And other studies indicate that by the time a tumor reaches detectable size, it may have been growing for 10 years or longer.

Is there an alternative to mammograms? Thermography is an effective alternative to mammograms. In 1982, theFDA approved thermography as a highly advanced health scanning technique that offers the benefits of breast cancerscreening with the drawbacks of mammogram radiation. For women who refuse mammograms due to the healthrisks associated with them, thermography offers a safe alternative.

Signs/Symptoms of Breast Cancer: Nipple discharge or scaly skin patches around nipples or nipple retraction;breast lumps, especially firm lumps with poorly defined edges that don’t move when touched or don’t change duringyour cycle, often along with breast skin irritation or dimpling; change in breast texture or color; unusual enlargementof armpit lymph nodes; any breast changes not related to cycle; chronic swollen sores around mouth, gumsor jaw; unexplained severe morning nausea; hypothyroidism is regularly involved in breast cancer.

Recommendations: Each person has been uniquely created by God (Ps. 139:13). Therefore, it is important toevaluate each person individually. To offer “blanket” recommendations would be irresponsible of Ron or me.

It is your God-given and Constitutional right to choose the treatment plan that is best for you. Ron and I respect yourright of choice in health matters. At the close of your appointment with either of us, we will frankly discuss anypossible health concerns. We will remind you of the treatment options available to you. Those options include: natural; medical; or combination of both natural and medical. Whichever treatment plan you choose, Ron and I will besupportive of you in that choice.