11 Simple Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer

Have you ever participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure?  The energy is palpable. You can feel it all around you.  Thousands of men, women, and children gathered to honor and support victims and survivors of breast cancer.

The positive energy at an event like this is extremely healing.  There is strength in numbers and the collective energy of all these people is powerful beyond measure.  Who isn’t inspired by Harley riders with pink hair and adults running in pink tu-tus 🙂

What is Wrong with the Race for the Cure?

The Komen Foundation has been raising money to find a cure for breast cancer since 1982, but breast cancer rates are not going down.  In fact, breast cancer incidence in the United States has been rising dramatically since 1982, as shown in data collected by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.   This massive event has many corporate sponsors, some of which create cancer-causing foods and products.  They give away thousands of free snacks and drinks loaded with sugar, genetically modified, and highly processed ingredients.  Many of the companies that support The Cure are actually creating products that contribute to growing cancer epidemic.

Natural cancer prevention and nutrition information are severely lacking at this event.  An event that is meant to empower women to take care of their bodies and to be in good health.

I appreciate this event for the community support and awareness it brings to those suffering from breast cancer.  But, so much more awareness is needed for prevention and natural treatments.

Statistical Food for Thought

• 85% of breast cancers are caused by lifestyle factors, including exposure to environmental toxins, poor quality, highly processed food, and stress.
• There is a 50% increase in breast cancer risk when using oral contraceptives.  How many doctors prescribe the pill for health-related reasons?  How many young women are starting on the Pill and do not know this life-changing information?  This information is NOT found at the Race for the Cure.
• It is projected by the year 2030, breast cancer rates will be 50% higher than they were in 2011.
• There are 250,000 new breast cancer cases diagnosed every year.

My mom has battled breast cancer twice.  I started using the Pill in my early 20’s to clear up my skin.  I’ve eaten tons of processed foods and sugars.  I’ve cleaned my house and bathed my skin in toxic chemicals.  I’m a female.  I have breasts.  I’m at risk.  Are you?  Are you ready to make some changes to lower your risk?

11 Simple Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer

Eat Clean Food

Avoid chemically processed food additives and ingredients.  Just eat real food.  Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.  Choose organic.  Plan your meals around organic, local, in-season produce. Load up on fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.  Green and cruciferous vegetables are especially high in cancer-fighting compounds. (7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14)

Drink Plenty of Pure Clean Water

Clean water keeps our bodies hydrated and flushes out toxins.  Avoid fluoride.  Fluoride is a toxic chemical and endocrine disrupter.  It blocks the absorption of iodine which is needed for thyroid and mammary health.  Drink filtered water and use fluoride free toothpaste.  Find more natural toothpaste options here.

Consider Iodine Supplements

Breast cancer has been linked to iodine deficiency.  When iodine levels are optimal, breast cancer cells do not multiply and grow.  Iodine is a natural remedy for fibrocystic breast disease, which can eventually lead to breast cancer.  Iodine can be found in seaweed, seafood, shellfish, cranberries, Himalayan sea salt and organic yogurt.  If you are concerned about iodine deficiency, have your levels checked by a trusted source and consider supplementation if needed.

Consider Vitamin D Supplements

Women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of breast cancer.  We get vitamin D naturally from sun exposure, but most of us shy away from the sun for fear of skin cancer.  Moderate sun exposure will increase your vitamin D levels and improve your mood.  Just use common sense and don’t overdo it.  Consider a quality supplement when you are unable to get natural sun exposure. (15,16,17)

Stress Management

Stress is inevitable, and it is necessary for our survival.  But everyday, chronic stress creates an unhealthy environment for our cells.  Find ways to alleviate stress with journaling, reading, crafting, walking in nature, exercise, meditation, and yoga. Deep emotional wounds also create an environment for cancer cells to grow.  According to Deb Shapiro in Your Body Speaks Your Mind, “Many studies have shown that women with breast cancer have a developed tendency toward repressed anger often masked by extra niceness and self-sacrifice, while feeling unsupported, inhibited in their sexuality, and unresolved in their conflicts.” (20,21)

Avoid Oral Contraceptives

The World Health Organization has classified oral contraceptives a category 1, known and probable carcinogen.  In addition to disrupting hormones, they damage the microbiome.  A balanced microbiome supports a healthy immune system.  A strong immune system keeps cancer cells in check. (3,4,5,6)

 Breastfeed

Breastfeeding for longer than 1 year can lower your breast cancer risk.  There are some different thoughts on why this is.  Breastfeeding alters your hormones and delays menstruation after giving birth.  In addition, more breast tissue is shed during pregnancy and lactation, potentially removing cells with DNA damage that can lead to cancer.  My personal belief has to do with Mother Nature.  She designed the female body to nourish her babies.  When we purposefully stop an organ or body system from doing what it is meant to do, we’re asking for trouble. (1,2)

Practice Regular Detoxification

By regularly detoxifying from toxins and chemicals found in our air, food, skin care products, cleaning products, and water supply we create an environment in our bodies where cancer cells cannot survive.  Eating clean food and drinking pure water can help your body eliminate toxins.

Add Cancer Fighting Super Foods To Your Diet

We already discussed how an unprocessed, whole foods diet can go a long way in protecting you from cancer.  By incorporating nutrient-dense superfoods, you give your body an even bigger cancer-fighting boost.  Some foods to consider are broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, garlic, onions, beets, celery, pomegranates, berries, green tea, black coffee, turmeric, beans, parsley, and flaxseeds. (22,23)

Exercise

Get moving.  Exercise helps carry vital nutrients to our cells and flush toxins out of our bodies.  Movement is essential for the lymphatic system to work.  The lymphatic system plays a major role in detoxification.  Support this important system with enjoyable moment.  Walk, run, jog, swim, rebound, dance, play sports, do yoga or tai-chi, roller skate, clean your house, or chase your toddler around the house.  Just get moving and have fun! (18,19,20)

Get To Know Essential Oils

Essential oils are very concentrated sources of phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic compounds (to name just a few).  They can stimulate cell regeneration and reverse DNA damage.  There are many essential oils that can help support cancer prevention.  One of the most powerful ones is Frankincense. (24)

Want to learn how to use essential oils to support your immune system and protect against cancer?   Contact me.

Do you have a family history of breast cancer?  Are you scared of becoming a statistic?  Do you feel more empowered now?  Adapting to a healthy lifestyle does not need to be complicated and can put the odds in your favor.

Ready to make some changes with some simple recipes?

Download my spring foods recipe booklet. Click Here to Download

Download my immune boosting recipe booklet.
Click here to get the recipes

Want to connect with a community of like-minded women raising their families with a natural lifestyle?  Join my Facebook Group, The Modern Mom’s Guide to Natural Health.

Resources and further reading

1 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/exclusive-breastfeeding-among-parous-women-reduces-risk-breast-cancer-compared

2 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/longer-women-breast-feed-more-they-are-protected-against-breast-cancer

3 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/oral-contraceptive-use-increases-risk-premenopausal-breast-cancer

4 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/oral-contraceptive-use-associated-increased-breast-cancer-risk-and-increased

5 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/among-women-over-age-35-years-diagnosis-compared-never-users-those-who-had-used-oral

6 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/long-term-oral-contraceptive-use-among-young-women-or-use-beginning-near-menarche-may-be

7 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/western-diet-increases-breast-cancer-risk-postmenopausal-chinese-women

8 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/adherence-diet-comprising-mostly-fruits-vegetables-fish-and-olivesunflower-oil-along

9 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/high-vegetable-and-fruit-intake-associated-lower-breast-cancer-risk

10 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/addition-broccoli-and-watercress-diet-may-reduce-risk-breast-cancer

11 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/breast-cancer-patients-have-elevated-levels-pesticides-their-adipose-tissue

12 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pesticide-exposure-may-be-linked-breast-cancer-rates-ontario

13 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/dtt-exposure-associated-increased-breast-cancer-risk

14 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/self-reportted-chemical-exposure-cleaning-produccts-associated-higher-risk-breast-cancer

15 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/dietary-intake-vitamin-d-associated-reduced-risk-breast-cancer

16 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/low-and-decreased-level-vitamin-d-might-correlate-progression-and-metastasis

17 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/supports-hypothesis-vitamin-d-supplementation-useful-breast-cancer-prevention

18 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/findings-suggest-having-high-score-index-combined-healthy-behaviours-reduces

19 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/physical-exercise-improves-breast-cancer-survival-and-likely-mediated-through

20 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/review-found-evidence-yoga-improving-health-related-quality-life-fatigue-and-s

21 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/sleep-deprivation-may-contribute-increased-breast-cancer-risk

22 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/consumption-some-flavonoids-may-interact-exposure-phthalates-risk-breast-cance

23 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/results-suggest-protective-role-carotene-carotene-lycopene-lutein-and

24 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/study-compares-boswellia-sacra-essential-oil-hydrodistilled-100-°c-vs-78-°c

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