In 2012, it is estimated that 22,700 women and 190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada.
Breast cancer is the where first site of a cancerous growth or tumour is in the breast, and it affects men and women, though the incidence in men is lower.
Breast tissue extends up to the collarbone and from the armpit to the breastbone and breast. It is a larger area than most people think.
The breasts consist mainly of fatty tissue that contains thousands of tiny glands whose function is to produce milk if you carry a pregnancy to term.
It’s quite normal for your breasts to differ slightly in shape and size and change during your menstrual cycle, in pregnancy and as you age. The ducts are found in both men and women.
Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast – the ducts, the lobules, or in some cases, and the tissue in between. The four main types of breast cancer are non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers.
Early Detection
With a few simple preventative interventions, many breast related concerns can be avoided. The simplest preventative measure is doing a month self-breast exam, and annual medical check-ups with your health care provider are also valuable.
Mammogram – mammograms are probably the most well known of the early detection methods. It is recommended that women undergo a mammography every year. While it is useful, it only provides a snapshot at the time of the exam, rather than noting any changes. Also, if any tumours are widely spread throughout they may be harder to detect. Despite these limitations, it is still recommended that you undergo yearly mammograms as part of a preventative strategy.
Breast Thermography – this method is a little less well known, but can serve as an excellent early detection test. The premise behind the technology is that tumours are “hotter” than the surrounding healthy tissue. This may happen for a few reasons. The first is that cancer cells are often highly active, consequently they create more heat than the surrounding healthy tissue. The second reason is that depending on the size of the cancer, it will grow and develop its own bloody supply. As such, more warm blood to the area will be detected as an elevated temperature.
What else can you do?
1. Perform monthly self breast exams
2. Eat a diet containing many colourful vegetables…. Especially the dark leafy greens.
3. Consume lean meats – this helps to reduce overall body acidity and inflammation.
4. Enjoy a verity of fruits everyday.
5. Fibre!!! Your diet should contain it. This helps to eliminate toxins form the body that can lead to tumour growth.
6. Breast massage – this can help to remove congestion from the breast tissue.
7. Nutritional supplementation – this is a vast area to discuss with a seemingly endless choice of supplements to choose from… contact your Holistic Nutritionist or Naturopathic Doctor to help simplify and devise an individualized plan tailored for you.
