Peachy the Magazine October November 2014 | Page 113

HEALTH + WELLNESS

Unfortunately, for every one breast
cancer patient diagnosed, there were
10 women who had unnecessary biopsies or treatments for false positives.
These numbers have led researchers to
look at screening and treatment modalities. The Preventative Services Task Force
recommended changes to screening in
2009, but their recommendations confused women and caused an outrage
among healthcare agencies supportive
of current practices. Until experts can

agree on what is best, women must
take an active and personal role in
breast health and cancer prevention.
Breast screening is not breast health.
There is increasing evidence to suggest
that lifestyle and dietary changes play
a significant role in the prevention of
chronic diseases, including breast cancer. Making a few lifestyle changes can
have a big impact on cancer risk. Here
are some steps women can take:

MANAGE WEIGHT (GOAL BMI < 25)
There is clear evidence that women with increased body fat, especially visceral
abdominal fat, have a significant increase in breast cancer risk. A review of over 70
clinical trials showed a 34 percent increase in breast cancer development in women
with increased body mass index. Body fat makes estrogen through the actions of an
enzyme called aromatase. The estrogen produced is unopposed and can be a culprit in
the development of breast cancer.

AVOID SUGAR AND REFINED CARBOHYDRATES
(white sugar, white flour)
A diet that is rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates causes production of high insulin
levels, which in turn increases IGF-1, a growth factor that has been shown to cause growth
of breast cells in utero. Higher insulin levels also cause cellular inflammation which can
be a precursor for all cancers. Finally, increased insulin levels also reduce the production
of steroid binding globulin (SBG), a protein produced to bind unopposed estrogens.
A decrease in SBG allows even more estrogens to circulate in the bloodstream.

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