Breast Cancer, Believe in the cure!

Talia sultan, a student of Human Nutrition & Dietetics at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, is an expert in diet planning and developing dietary guidelines for weight loss, weight gain. She demonstrates well on physical exercises to stay healthy. She loves to write articles on health, nutrition, fitness and beauty. She can be reached at taliya.foodsafety@gmail.com

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when some of the breast cells begin to grow abnormally. They divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate inside breast, forming a lump or mass. These cells may spread through the breast to the lymph nodes or to other parts of your body. Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissue within the breast. The root causes we have examined till now is a combination of different factors either lifestyle, genetic or hormonal. It’s not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. 5 to 10 % of breast cancer is linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. Most well-known inherited mutated genes in women; BRCA1 & BRCA2 can increase likelihood of breast cancer. Other reason to this cancer is hormonal imbalance too. Estrogen hormone leads to the development of breast cancer and few natural and synthetic chemicals called “xenoestrogens,” act like estrogen in the body. They are found in weed killers, pesticides, plastic additives, and spray paint, paint removers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in the manufacturing of food packaging, medical products, appliances, cars, toys etc. There are forty two thousand unsafe chemicals in industrial areas. Non-industrialized countries are lucky that they have lower breast cancer rates than industrialized countries.

Risk factors

Taking birth control pills
Absence of pregnancy
Intake of drugs & alcohol
Radiation therapy
Taking hormones for more than 5 years
Dense breast and not physically active

Remedy to cure this

My preference of curing this cancer is changing your diet habits. Take anti-estrogen food because estrogen leads to cancer. It can reduce the risk of cancer but does not completely prevent it. If not food, use drugs that lower estrogen level like anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole. The primary reason is that estrogen actually binds with receptors on the surface of cancerous cells so hormone therapy is also required. The major change that you need to adopt in your diet is taking some anti-estrogen food items and avoiding some food items that increase estrogen level.

Things to add to in diet

Soy (tofu); Use it as a whole food, not a supplement. It reduces the estrogen binding with cancerous cells. And blocks enzymes that produce estrogen hormone.
Citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit) act as anti-estrogens.
Cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels, sprouts, arugula); phytochemicals
Flax seeds (lignin); block estrogen receptors.
Fiber contains anti-estrogen properties. It should be taken 25g daily.
Spices contain anti-inflammatory properties.
Adopt a Mediterranean diet, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, eat vitamin D-rich foods, drink green tea, add turmeric to your diet, and exercise daily.