Functional Medicine’s Approach to Breast Cancer Prevention

By Dr. Cynthia Crosser

As a breast cancer survivor, I find it critical to inform women of how they could prevent breast cancer with diagnostic testing and lifestyle changes that were neither available nor known to us decades ago . . . when our cancer was developing. Women are misinformed in believing that mammograms, MRI’s, ultrasounds and thermography are preventive when they are useful for early detection . . . vastly different concepts. Equally, they believe genetics or family history is their destiny. 90% of women who develop breast cancer are the first in their family to get the disease. The AMAS Cancer Test (Oncolab) is a test that is based on levels of a specific antibody shown to be elevated in many cancers. Oncoblot also tests for a specific protein to detect cancers such as breast earlier than a mammogram will find it with a 95% reliability rate on the first test. However, with all this detection, we are losing the war on breast cancer. Five-year mortality rates for breast cancer have declined, but occurrence rates have gone up 270% since 1970!

Addressing RISK REDUCTION involves identifying functional weaknesses and making changes that will affect your odds of ever developing breast cancer. We must ask . . . How do you assess your risk and what can you do to lower your risk? Some factors to be evaluated are genetics, environmental exposure, detoxification, medications, exercise, insulin/ glucose control, age of menarche, and dietary factors. Some factors we cannot control, many more we can greatly influence. Genetic testing beyond BRCA 1 & 2 need to be done. If you have genetic markers, this is a guideline for you to take EXTRA precautions to avoid damaging your genes through ionizing radiation, inadequate antioxidant consumption, xenobiotic exposure (fragrances, plastics, cosmetics, styrofoam coffee cups, pesticides like Roundup, hormones in our food supply, sunscreens), etc. Other factors include estrogen metabolism and excretion, estrogen load, methylation, and cellular repair, childbirth and lactation, and age of menarche. Nutritional status is also a consideration to evaluate specific deficiencies. Whether we make estrogen or take estrogen we need to get rid of it which is a function of several factors such as liver health, our diet and genetics. The estrogen load and ratios of 2,4, and 16 methoxyestrone should be evaluated and addressed as they can be altered by way of diet and supplements with foods such as Cruciferous vegetables (brussel sprouts, broccoli). Liver function will affect your ability to detoxify hormones which is under the influence of your diet and how it affects your genetics. This is where we address genetic variants by way of foods. Medications such as calcium channel blockers, antifungals, and proton pump inhibitors (Nexium) will negatively affect the body’s ability to clear estrogen by altering the breakdown of beneficial phytochemicals in our foods. Body composition, exercise habits, milk and/or alcohol consumption and smoking habits will all have significant impact on our ability to deal with our estrogens.

Assessing Basic Hormonal Status and Estrogen Metabolites is always done. This specific information is beneficial in constructing your individual plan. Please don’t wait! We have the tools in 2017 that can change your future. Please watch our Facebook page and website for upcoming workshops on Breast Cancer Health.

Testimonial

Dr. Crosser is amazing. “I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Crosser! She has been my chiropractor for at least 15 years. I had disc surgery 21 years ago, which took care of the immediate problem, but I continued to have back issues. I went through a couple rounds of physical therapy and also saw a different chiropractor, but none of that had a lasting impact. I saw Dr. Crosser’s ad in the phone book and decided to see if she could help. She did a thorough exam to determine what was wrong and devised a treatment plan. I stuck with it and saw definite results. I’ve been a loyal patient ever since then! What keeps me going back is that she continues to make me feel better, and the fact that she genuinely cares about her patients on a personal level. When I’m with her, she makes me feel like I’m her only patient. I know that some of her patients only make an appointment when they’re in pain. I’ve found that it works better for me to see her regularly so she can fix issues before they become major problems. Her treatments have improved my quality of life.” - Lauren H.