BREAST CANCER
PREVENTION
What You Can Do Now to
Prevent Breast Cancer in
Your Future
Breast Cancer Prevention
Pastora Beerman, MSN, APRN-BC
Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse
Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse
Practitioner
Alpharetta Wellness Clinic
Alpharetta, Georgia
Learning Objectives
Increase awareness re: known and
potential risk factors of breast cancer
Understand appropriate dietary and
lifestyle changes that may promote
healthy breast cells
Increase knowledge of available
diagnostic screening methods that
may promote earlier detection
Disclaimer
The information contained in this
presentation is intended for the
viewer’s education and awareness.
The following discussion of risk factors
and recommendations does not imply a
cause and effect relationship, nor is
any of the information contained herein
intended to replace the advice of your
practitioner.
Scope of the Problem
One out of eight women will develop breast
cancer at some point in her life
It is estimated that breast cancer will claim
the lives of 39,840 U.S. women in 2010,
despite the availability of mammographic
screening and information regarding breast
self-exam (BSE)
What steps can you take to prevent it from
happening to you?
Let us begin by identifying some risk
factors
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Gender: female: male (100:1). Though it is
rare in men, they are not immune.
Genetic: although most women with breast
cancer do not have a family history, having
2+ first-degree relatives with breast cancer
does raise the risk. BRCA 1/BRCA 2 gene.
Age: incidence increases with age
Prior history of breast cancer or precancer
DCIS, LCIS, atypical hyperplasia
High socioeconomic status
Reproductive Risk Factors
First pregnancy > 30 years old
Early menarche <12 years old
Late menopause >55 years old
No full-term pregnancies
Never breast-fed a child
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Environmental exposure to
carcinogens: radiation, pesticides,
cigarette smoke and possibly,
plastics, electromagnetic frequency
Hormonal: endogenous estrogens
and progesterone, use of birth control
pills, synthetic hormone replacement
therapy
Drugs: overuse of antibiotics
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Dietary: hormone additives in dairy &
meat
High animal fat diet
Low intake of fresh fruits, vegetables
& fiber
Alcohol consumption greater than one
serving per day
High sugar diet promotes tumor
growth
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Insulin resistance leads to overweight &
obesity:
1. aromatization of fat into estrogen, in post
menopausal women
2. increases estrogen production by other
organs (adrenals)
3. promotes inflammation which in turn
promotes tumors
Emotional: stress increases cortisol
secretion by adrenal gland, impedes
immune function, promotes tumor growth
What You Can Do Now to Prevent
Breast Cancer
Diet: Increase intake of a variety of
vegetables, especially the cruciferous
type, like broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage and Brussels sprouts
Brightly colored fruits are often rich in
cancer preventing nutrients
Limit fats, meats, and dairy
Choose organic sources as much as
possible
Eat a Variety of Fresh Vegetables
Eat a Variety of Colorful Fruits
What You Can Do Now to Prevent
Breast Cancer
Reduce alcohol: less than 1 / day
Avoid overuse of antibiotics
Probiotics 10-20 mil org bid w/o food
Supplement with flaxseed oil, omega
3 fatty acids, antioxidants (C, E, and
selenium), vitamin D3, Co Q10 and
iodine, I3C or DIM
Increase fiber intake
What You Can Do Now to Prevent
Breast Cancer
Avoid use of birth control pills,
synthetic hormone replacement
therapy
Avoid exposure to radiation,
pesticides, cigarette smoke
Avoid using plastic containers for
drinking and food preparation
Replace antiperspirant w/ natural
deodorant
What You Can Do Now to Prevent
Breast Cancer
Maintain ideal body weight
Daily aerobic exercise
Reduce hours in constrictive bra
Manage and decrease stress effects
in your life
Get adequate rest and sleep
Get help to deal with emotional issues
What You Can Do Now to Prevent
Breast Cancer
Self Breast Exam every month after
menstrual cycle
If you find a suspicious lump, or any
unusual change, do not ignore or
deny it! See your health practitioner
Clinical Breast Exam every year by a
trained practitioner
Breast Self Exam
Diagnostic Imaging
Mammography: fails to detect 20% of
breast cancers
Ultrasound: helps to differentiate solid
from fluid filled masses
MRI: more sensitive in detecting
cancer than mammograms
BSGI: breast specific gamma imaging
PEM: positron emission mammogram
What You Can Do Now to Prevent
Breast Cancer
Thermography is a painless, safe
screening tool for breast health
Thermography can detect changes in
breast years before mammogram
Recommended frequency: yearly, but may
be repeated as needed
Mammograms may miss 20% of breast
cancers, including TNBC, a very invasive,
aggressive type w/ limited tx options
Young and AA at higher risk for TNBC
Thermography
It takes 8-10 years for a dime-sized tumor
to grow
Digital Infrared Imaging (DII) can be the
first signal that such a possibility is
developing
DII does not require radiation,
compression, contact, or intravenous
injection
Detects increased blood vessel circulation
and metabolic changes associated with a
tumor’s neoangiogenesis and growth
Thermography
Thermography
The image to the left shows a significant amount of
heat and vascularity (angiogenesis) in the right breast,
especially over the lump in the upper outer quadrant.
A biopsy confirmed that the lump was cancer.
What You Can Do Now to Know
Your Risk of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer risk assessment by
simple urine test. Detects ratio of
beneficial to harmful estrogen
Serum tumor markers CA 27-29 and
CA 15-3 for suspected or monitoring
of existing breast cancer
Ductal lavage
Genetic testing for BRCA 1 and
BRCA 2 in high risk patients
Breast CA Research Project
Recent changes in screening
recommendations include a decrease
in frequency of mammography and
BSE
It is proposed that these new
recommendations may put certain
populations at higher risk of breast
cancer: young & AA, inflammatory
(basal), TNBC
Breast CA Research Project
Purpose is to design and evaluate a program of
public education for the prevention and early
detection of breast cancer to include:
Dietary and lifestyle changes that promote healthy
breast cells
Monthly BSE and yearly clinical breast exam
Baseline and annual digital infrared imaging (DII)
ID specific populations at risk for TNBC, and other
invasive and aggressive types, which may not be
detected by mammography or ultrasound, but are
detected by DII
Significance of Research Project
Promote the use of DII, a highly sensitive
and underutilized screening method for the
early detection of breast cancer
Assist Doctors & Nurse Practitioners to
improve client outcomes (survival)
regarding breast cancer, especially
invasive, aggressive forms
Clients will be empowered with knowledge
to take responsibility for their breast health
Help Us Win the Race
Schedule your breast thermography
by calling 770-777-0129
If you would like to contribute toward
this research project send your tax
deductible donation (designate for
Breast CA Research Project) to:
Alpharetta Wellness Clinic
18 Cumming Street
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Help Us Win the Race
Thank you!
Contact Information
Alpharetta Wellness Clinic
18 Cumming St, Alpharetta, GA
30009
Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-12PM
and 1PM-5PM
Phone: (770) 777-0129
Email: alpharettawellness@clear.net
Web: alpharettawellness.com
Dedication
To my mother, who fought cancer for
20 years
To Fawn and all the women and men
with breast cancer who have taught
me the value of faith and courage in
the midst of life’s trials
Credits
References
Anderson GL, et al. Prior hormone therapy and breast cancer risk in
the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trial of estrogen plus
progestin. Maturitas. 2006 sep 20;55(2):103-15.
Bradlow HL, et al. 2-hydroxyestrone: the ‘good’ estrogen. J
Endocrinol. 1996 Sep;150 Suppl:S259-65.
Dalessandri KM, et al. Pilot study: effect of 3,3’-diindolylmethane
supplements on urinary hormone metabolites in postmenopausal
women with a history of early-stage breast cancer. Nutr Cancer.
2004;50(2):161-7.
Love SM, Lindsey K. Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book.Cambridge:Da
Capo. 146.
Johnson B, Barnes K. The Secret of Health Breast Wisdom.
Garden City: Morgan James. 47-59.
Breast cancer. (2010). Retrieved June 26, 2010, from National
Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
Screening for breast cancer. (2009). Retrieved June 26, 2010, from
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm
References
http://www.breastthermography.com/infrared_imag
ing_review.htm
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discoveryhealth/14450-human-atlas-breast-self-examvideo.htm
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_
6x_How_to_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp
http://www.newmedicine.ca/breast.php
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20081204/hl_hsn/lat
estbreastimagingtechniquesoffernewviews/print
http://dimfaq.com/BreastResearchUpdate060508.
pdf
References
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancerprevention/WO00091
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/tc/breast-cancerscreening-patient-information-nci-pdq-breast-cancerscreening
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/brca
http://www.purehealthmd.com/conditions/prevention/environ
mental/hazards-of-plastic.pdf
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgibin/fulltext/121405195/PDFSTART
http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/reducing-breast-cancerrisk?utm_campaign=230112312009&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&ut
m_content=default
Picture Credits
http://www.ilovedogs.com/media/vegetables.jpg
http://www.breastthermography.com/breast_thermography_
mf.htm
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_How_t
o_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=Fruits&go=&for
m=QBIR#
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=Pomegranate&
FORM=QSIR4#
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=Watermelon+fil
terui%3aimagesizelarge&FORM=I5IR#focal=bd910c75c8f04a0e57510ba0434e
1f5c&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.flickr.com%2F3%2F55633
90_2d68886926.jpg