Breast Cancer, Symptoms, Prevention and Healing.

Cancer of the breast is the most common of all cancers in women and tends to afflict those who have a relative with breast cancer. However, there are many other factors which influence the development of cancer which you can do something about, unlike your genetic inheritance.

Factors Influencing The Development Of Breast Cancer

High fat consumption is a contributory factor. Toxins such as drugs, pesticides and herbicides are stored in animal fat and women who eat fatty meat obviously also consume these toxins, which are then stored in the fat tissue. Since fat amkes up a large proportion of breast tissue, a women's breast becomes a storehouse for toxins. Dietary fat stimulates the secretion of prolactin, a pituitary hormone, which may contribute to breast cancer.

Research has shown that obese women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer than other women, because estrogen is stored in body fat and estrogen contributes to breast cancer.

Low intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium, folic acid, iron, zinc, magnesium have been shown to be linked with cancer.

Certain food substances, such as the nitrosamines derived from foods containing nitrites such aas bacon, hot dogs, salami and sausages, as well as saccharine and sugar intake can contribute to breast cancer.

Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils are also under suspicion.

Heavy drinking may contribute to breast cancer. Vegetarians have been shown to suffer less from breast cancer than meat eaters. This may be related to toxins in animal fats as well as to the fact that meat eaters have higher leves of prolactin than vegetarians.

Women who started taking the pill before the age of 25 and who took it for more than four or five years have been shown to have an increased risk of breast cancer. The same is true for women who took estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for five to ten years or more.

Women who began their periods early and who had a late menopause, and those who have never had children, are more prone to breast cancer. Women who had their first child over the age of 30 are at higher risk than those who had their first child before the age of 22.

Women who have had cancer elsewhere, or in one breast, are more at risk. The incidence of breast cancer increases with age and is most common between the ages of 50 and 65.

Stress is also an important factor in breast cancer.

Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

• a lump or change in the shape or size of the breast
• thickening or dimpling of the skin enlarged veins
• a retracted nipple, if this is not normal
• discharge from the nipple
• non-cyclical pain, particularly when past the menopause
• swelling of upper arm, in the armpit or above the breast

Taking Steps To Prevent Breast Cancer

1.  Check your breasts once a month, a few days after your period finishes so that any cysts in the breast that come and go with the period do not cause unnecessary concern. Post - menopausal women can check their breasts at any time of the month.
2. Go through the same routine every month so you can spot changes. First look at your breast in the mirror to make sure there are no changes in shape, size texture, or colour of the breast. Then lie down and feel each part of the breast with the flat of your fingers for any lumps or bumps or changes in skin texture.
3. Do not smoke.
4. Keep your alcohol intake low. Not more than one drink a week. It is best to not have alcohol at all.
5. Make sure you eat healthily. It should mostly be made up of fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organically grown, whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans and pulses, oily fish and olive oil.
6. Avoid fatty food, keep your meat intake as low as possible.
7. Avoid junk food and refined carbohydrates especially sugar.
8. Keep away from well known carcinogens such as smoked meats, sausages, peanuts, additives, saccharine and hydrogenated oils.
9. Make sure you have plenty of vitamins A, E, C and D in your diet. These have been shown to help abnormal cancer cells back to normal healthy cells. They also improve the function of the immune system in its battle to destroy abnormal cells.
10. Beta carotene in carrots, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage and broccoli for example has been extensively shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
11. Vitamins C and E help to protect the stomach, bowel and bladder from the carcinogenic effects of certain foods. Vitamins A, C, and E and selenium have antioxidant properties.  These vitamins inhibit deterioration of cells caused by 'free radicals' which contribute to the development of cancer and in this way help prevent it.
12. Add in plenty of essential fatty acids to your diet.
13. A high fibre diet, with plenty of whole grains and vegetables not only prevents constipation, but also hastens the removal of carcinogens from the bowels and diminishes their chances of absorption into the system.
14. Fibre also enhances the elimination of estrogen via the bowels, thereby helping to prevent excess estrogen in the system from contributing to breast cancer.
15. Avoid contaminants in water by drinking filtered water and bottled water.
16. Avoid taking the contraceptive pill and the use of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).
17. Exercise and make sure you get fresh air, rest and relaxation and adequate sleep.
18. If you are overweight. Seek the help of a qualified nutritionist to bring your weight under control.
19. If you are stressed, take time off to relax and let go of tensions and anxieties.
20. Now is a time to release unresolved emotional problems. Try to deal with them and let them go.
21. Yoga, Tai Chi, psychotherapy or sharing the troubles to a caring friend may all help.
22. Avoid putting yourself under any unnecessary pressures. Try to let go of them and spend at least one hour daily doing or being just what you want to.
23. Give that one hour to yourself, put yourself first for a change, even if it means just lying on the couch listening to music or reading a good book or enjoying a warm bath infused with your favourite essential oils.