It is important to remember that cancers are caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors, as well as other yet undiscovered factors.

An integrated approach may be the best strategy to beat cancer. This would include conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation as well as diet and nutrition, detoxification, acupuncture, stress reduction techniques, botanical medicine, and other treatment modalities.

Tests for Breast Health:
Here are some integrative and functional medical tests that may be helpful for women seeking to decrease their risk of breast cancer.

Urinary Hormones and Estrogen Metabolism- It is important to look for overall hormonal imbalances that could be contributing to a hormone-sensitive cancer or other types of diseases. Imbalances in estrogen have been found in the following conditions: ^2-13

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Uterine cancers, including endometrial
• Ovarian cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Head and neck cancers
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Preeclampsia
• Osteoporosis
• Menopausal symptoms
• Premenstrual syndrome

Excess hormones can be particularly undesirable in a woman with breast cancer.  In addition to determining total levels of hormones, how effectively a person metabolizes and eliminates hormones gives information about her risk of developing certain cancers. The Estronex test measures how well a woman's body is detoxifying and getting rid of estrogen. Research shows that the 2/16 ratio could be important in decreasing cancer risk and the ratio can be improved by eating a diet high in cruciferous vegetables.

Treatments that Integrative and Functional Medical Doctors Use to Improve Estrogen Metabolism Are:

• Decrease coffee consumption and smoking
• Achieve a healthy body weight
• Supplement with indole-3-carbinol (I3C) or di-indolemethane (DIM)
• Increase cruciferous vegetables including: broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts
• Supplement with dried organic Brussels sprouts and kale
• Increase ground flax seed
• Increase intake of fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids)
• Increase fruit and vegetable intake
• Increase antioxidants in foods or supplements
• Ensure adequate estrogen detoxification and biotransformation:
  • Sulfur-rich compounds such as n-acetyl cysteine, calcium d-glucarate and methyl donors such as s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin B6
  • Ensure effective GI elimination:
    • Use 4R Protocol
    • Increase fiber, fruits, and vegetables
    • Consume a low-allergen diet

Gastrointestinal Health- When a molecule of estrogen has fulfilled its duty in the body it is normally metabolized by the liver and excreted from the body in the feces or urine. However, if a woman has GI dysbiosis (overgrowth of undesirable organisms), there can be problems clearing the used estrogen. There are even certain gut bugs that can change the estrogen so that it can reenter circulation. Identify and treat GI microbial balance with GIfx, Organix Dysbiosis, and Food Allergy tests.

Toxins and Liver Detoxification- Toxins can harm our DNA and can even make good cells go bad.  The liver has to help the body get rid of many toxins; both the internal toxins (like estrogen after it has been used by the body) and external toxins (like pesticides or heavy metals).  For this reason, in a woman with breast cancer, it is important to identify and reduce toxic exposures and to make sure her liver is in good working order.

Fatty acids- Cancer and inflammation go hand in hand. Therefore, it is helpful to create an anti-inflammatory environment in the body by using omega-3 fatty acids. Lots of arachidonic acid would be undesirable in a woman at risk of breast cancer.

Genetic Testing- A family history of breast cancer can increase a woman’s risk factor for developing breast cancer. BRCA is the gene that is most widely studied. Detoxification genes, such as cytochrome p450 1B1 (CYP1B1), can impact a woman's clearance of harmful chemicals and can increase her risk for developing breast cancer. In one study, women taking hormone therapy with a polymorphism in CYP1B1 had twice the risk of developing breast cancer compared to other women on hormone replacement therapy.¹⁴

CardioION with Food Allergies and Neopterin - This is a complete nutritional and metabolic test with important information about inflammation as well. Many functional medical doctors want to balance a person's whole body biochemistry in an effort to make the whole person healthier for the fight against cancer or the prevention of cancer. Nutritional, metabolic, and immunological markers measured by the CardioION which are relevant for women with breast cancer are:

• Amino acids
• Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory fatty acids and other markers of inflammation
• Nutrient elements
• Heavy metals
• Vitamin D
• Oxidative damage and antioxidant vitamins
• Detoxification
• Gut dysbiosis
• Food allergies

To treat breast cancer, treat the whole person.
Overall, these tests can help identify the nutritional, metabolic, or toxic challenges a person has and help restore balance and fortify the body. While this can be helpful in all people, it is an important option for women preventing, treating, or surviving breast cancer.

You may want to check out Dr. Barbara MacDonald’s new book, The Breast Cancer Companion
http://www.thebreastcancercompanion.com/about.html

References

1. C.D.C. Cancer Prevention and Control.  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/data/women.htm. Accessed July 16, 2009.
2. Yoo HJ, Sepkovic DW, Bradlow HL, Yu GP, Sirilian HV, Schantz SP. Estrogen metabolism as a risk factor for head and neck cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Mar 2001;124(3):241-247.
3. Compston J. Clinical and therapeutic aspects of osteoporosis. Eur J Radiol. Aug 4 2009.
4. Lopez LM, Kaptein AA, Helmerhorst FM. Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009(2):CD006586.
5. Leyendecker G, Wildt L, Mall G. The pathophysiology of endometriosis and adenomyosis: tissue injury and repair. Arch Gynecol Obstet. Jul 31 2009.
6. Okolo S. Incidence, aetiology and epidemiology of uterine fibroids. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. Aug 2008;22(4):571-588.
7. Veerapaneni P, Kirma N, Nair HB, Hammes LS, Hall KL, Tekmal RR. Elevated aromatase expression correlates with cervical carcinoma progression. Gynecol Oncol. Sep 2009;114(3):496-500.
8. Berstein L, Zimarina T, Imyanitov E, et al. Hormonal imbalance in two types of endometrial cancer and genetic polymorphism of steroidogenic enzymes. Maturitas. Jul 20 2006;54(4):352-355.
9. Sherman ME. Theories of endometrial carcinogenesis: a multidisciplinary approach. Mod Pathol. Mar 2000;13(3):295-308.
10. Hopkinson ZE, Sattar N, Fleming R, Greer IA. Polycystic ovarian syndrome: the metabolic syndrome comes to gynaecology. Bmj. Aug 1 1998;317(7154):329-332.
11. Stenchever MA. Comprehensive gynecology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2001.
12. Ferreira AM, Westers H, Albergaria A, Seruca R, Hofstra RM. Estrogens, MSI and Lynch syndrome-associated tumors. Biochim Biophys Acta. Jun 25 2009.
13. Iqbal J, Zaidi M. Understanding estrogen action during menopause. Endocrinology. Aug 2009;150(8):3443-3445.
14. Rylander-Rudqvist T, Wedren S, Granath F, et al. Cytochrome P450 1B1 gene polymorphisms and postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Carcinogenesis. Sep 2003;24(9):1533-1539.