According to the American Cancer Society, the current statistics for breast cancer are as follows:

  • In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women, as well as an estimated 62,280 additional cases of in situ breast cancer

  • In 2009, approximately 40,170 women are expected to die from breast cancer.

  • Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.

  • In 2009, about 1,910 cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among men, accounting for about 1% of all breast cancers. In addition, approximately 440 men will die from breast cancer.

Although, these figures may appear scary and make one feel powerless, new research is popping up which can empower women and men to take control of their own health. In other words, by changing diet, exercise patterns, and incorporating stress management tools, women and men can keep their breasts healthy and their immune system strong.

In fact, it is now estimated that cancer is now 75% influenced by our environment, and only 25% to our genetics. Therefore, the answer may lie in the way our genes are expressed, through epigenetic factors, verses in the genes themselves. In fact, Mary Kare King (founder of BRCA 1 and 2) herself has related the increase of cancer re-occurrence in 1940 (24%) to today (80%) to our environment.

What does this mean?? That nutrigenomics can be studied to show how one of the most powerful cancer preventive measures is related to what’s at the end of our fork!

Continued at my saratoga blog.

Therefore, when women at high risk for hormonal cancers enter our health center, I give them the option of a simple functional test to measure estrogen metabolism by-products. This result, along with serum tests from her primary physician, can add me in a specific, individualized, therapeutic protocol to help her empower herself to keep her body healthy, strong, and joy-filled.