1. Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Natural Prevention of Breast Cancer Meredith A. Hillmer Bachelor’s Capstone in Health & Wellness HW499-01 Kaplan University

2. Breast Cancer has affected us ALL in some form or fashion. Raise your hand if you have been diagnosed or know someone that has been diagnosed with breast can cer. Breast Cancer has affected us ALL in some form or fashion. Raise your hand if you have been diagnosed or know someone that has been diagnosed with breast can cer. THE FACTS: 1 in 8 of us will have invasive breast cancer during our life. About 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year About 64,640 non invasive cases will be diagnosed this year About 39,620 deaths will be caused by breast cancer.

3. Are You At Risk?  CANCER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE!  Women, Men, Young, Old, Black, White…..no one is immune to breast cancer.  Genetics  Age—percentage gets higher as one gets older

4. RISK FACTORS  CARCINOGEN EXPOSURE  Smoking, Pesticides, Radiation  HORMONE EXPOSURE  Birth control pill use, estrogen & progesterone  DRUGS  Antibiotic overuse ( Wong, 2012)

5. More Risk Factors  INADEQUATE DIET  Lack of fruits, vegetables, and fiber in diet  Consuming foods high in animal fat  Alcohol consumption  High levels of sugar intake (Wong, 2012)

6. Breast Cancer-Preventable?  Although genetics can not be prevented, one’s lifestyle can!  LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION  DO NOT SMOKE  BREAST FEED YOUR INFANTS (Mayo Clinic, 2012)

7. Prevention  EAT A DIET RICH IN VEGETABLES & FRUITS  EAT MORE FIBER

8. PREVENTION  GET PHYSICAL  Exercise 30 minutes daily  Control weight

9. PRACTICE SELF EXAMS  Perform 3-5 days after your period starts.  With menopause, start first day of every month.  Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down.  Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast.  Next, sit or stand. Feel your armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area.  Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.  Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue.  Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side.  Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel.  Also note the shape and outline of each breast.  Check to see if the nipple turns inward.  Do the same with your arms raised above your head. (Smith, 2012)

10. DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING  Mammography—breast x-ray that helps pinpoint size and location of breast abnormality (Imaginis, 2013). Mammography is 85-90% accuracy rate (Webmd.com, 2012).  Ultrasounds—performed after mammogram, if something suspicious is detected. Can distinguish between fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass (Stephan, 2011).  MRI and other more sensitive tests in detecting cancer.  Thermography—Alternative to mammogram. Uses no radiation, uses ultra-sensitive infrared cameras to detect, analyze, which produces high-resolution diagnostic images of temperature and vascular changes (IACT, 2003).

11. NATURAL PREVENTATIVES Natural substances have been researched that may also prevent breast cancer:  Curcumin--”may help reduce breast cancer risk for women undergoing hormone replacement therapy for menopause” (Wong, 2012).  Resveratrol—helps to suppress breast cancer in its earliest stages (Wong, 2012)  Green Tea—In combination with a medicinal mushroom, may slow the growth of breast cancer cells (Wong, 2012).

12.  The following have also been suggested to reverse the initiation, promotion, & growth of breast cancer Phytoestrogens: tofu, pomegrante, & root vegetables Cabbage family plants, grains, & beans Carotenes, dark leafy greens, orange & yellow produce Vitamin C: fresh fruits & vegetables Vitamin E: olive oil, sunflower seeds Selenium: garlic, onion, & mushrooms Vitamin D: sunlight, sardines, & tuna (Henningsen, 2011)

13. CONCLUSION Although there is no sure way of preventing breast cancer. There are ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.  Exercise 30 minutes daily  Limit use of hormone therapy  Maintain a healthy weight  Limit alcohol use  Include variety of fruits, vegetables, & grains  Drink green tea daily  Practice self-exams & seek out diagnostic imaging (Wong, 2012)

14. REFERENCES American Cancer Society. (2013). How Many Women Get Breast Cancer? Retrieved on December 30, 2013 from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-cancer-overview-key- statistics http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-cancer-overview-key- statistics Henningsen, K. (2011). Kaplan University-Center for Health & Wellness. Natural Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer. Retrieved on January 2, 2014 from http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/cam/Natural%20Prevention%20and%20Tre atment%20of%20Breast%20Cancer.html http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/cam/Natural%20Prevention%20and%20Tre atment%20of%20Breast%20Cancer.html IACT. (2003). What is Thermography. Retrieved on January 2, 2014 from http://www.iact-org.org/patients/breastthermography/what-is-breast-therm.html http://www.iact-org.org/patients/breastthermography/what-is-breast-therm.html Imaginis.com. (2013). Diagnositc Mammography. Retrieved on January 2, 2014 from http://www.imaginis.com/mammography/diagnostic-mammography-2 http://www.imaginis.com/mammography/diagnostic-mammography-2 Mayo Clinic. (2012). Women’s Health. Breast Cancer Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk. Retrieved on December 30, 2013 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast- cancer-prevention/WO00091http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast- cancer-prevention/WO00091 Smith, M. (2012). Medline Plus. Breast Self Exam. Retrieved on December 30, 2013 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001993.htmhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001993.htm Stephan, P. (2011). About.com Breast Cancer. Breast Ultrasound—Imaging for Breast Abnormalities. Retrieved on January 2, 2014 from http://breastcancer.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/ultrasound.htm http://breastcancer.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/ultrasound.htm Wong, C. (2012). Alternative medicine. Natural Breast Cancer Defense. Retrieved on December 30, 2013 from http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cance1/a/breast_cancer.htmhttp://altmedicine.about.com/od/cance1/a/breast_cancer.htm Webmd.com. (2012). Breast Cancer Health Center. Breast Cancer and Mammogram Results. Retrieved on January 2, 2014 from http://www.webmd.com/breast- cancer/guide/mammogram-resultshttp://www.webmd.com/breast- cancer/guide/mammogram-results