Again, it is very important to know your breast tissue by doing self-breast exams on a regular basis.
Breast changes can normally occur throughout a woman’s lifetime and are often sensitive to hormone fluctuations, lymph congestion and environmental exposures. Hormone fluctuations and lower progesterone can make some women’s breasts more swollen and sore before her period is due.
Breast tissue can be lumpy, bumpy or dense, resulting in fibrocystic breast tissue. Fibrocystic breast tissue can be tender when women are cycling regularly. Fibrocystic breasts are one of the most common causes of breast changes in women. They are often benign changes of the tissue and are usually associated with high caffeine intake and estrogen dominance.
Concerns about breast tissue arise when a woman has breast pain, a new lump, nipple discharge, dimpling or skin color changes. Breast lumps that are noncancerous are cysts, fibroadenoma or fibrocystic dense breast. Cancerous lesions can begin in different areas of the breast: the ducts, the lobules or the tissue in between.
According to breastcancer.org, one in eight women who reach 80 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Individual risk factors of family history, reproductive history, lifestyle and environmental exposures need to be addressed. About 5-10% of breast cancers are BRCA-1 and 2 genetic mutations that are inherited; 85% of breast cancer has no family history.
Cancerous lesions can be irregularly shaped, hard nodules that require an ultrasound and biopsy to be diagnosed. Any breast changes should always be evaluated by a physician to rule out cancer or noncancerous lesions.
Often optimizing hormones, promoting healthy detoxification and lymphatic pathways is key in promoting healthy breast tissue. If you think you have or have been told by a physician or scan that you have fibrocystic dense breast tissue, there are some things you can do to help improve dense tissue.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola and medications with caffeine). Caffeine has been shown to make breast tissue more dense.
- Move more often than not. Regular exercise and specifically upper body workouts will decrease stress, improve lymphatic flow and decrease the risk of developing breast cancer. Wear a sports bra during exercise to give support as well.
- Eat a whole foods, anti-inflammatory diet. You can also try the Mediterranean diet with a special emphasis on eating more vegetables, nuts, seeds, fiber and fish. Vegan diets high in good fats, vegetables, whole grains and beans without added animal products (eggs, dairy or meat) may also lower dense breast tissue and inflammation.
- Mindset/Mindfulness practice and meditation can help reduce stress. Energetically, the breast is part of the heart chakra and nurturing aspect. Are you nurturing yourself? Or do you always put others’ needs ahead of yours? Are you loving yourself?
- *Beneficial Supplements: DIM- diindolylmethane 100-150mg may protect the breast tissue by promoting healthy estrogen and testosterone metabolism. Evening Primrose oil 1300mg may help reduce breast pain and lumpiness. Herbs such as Hoxsey formula, milk thistle dandelion and liver support may improve lymphatics and detoxification pathways along with the anti-inflammatory diet. Iodine: 1-6mg daily (potassium iodide and iodine) benefits breast tissue, thyroid, ovaries and skin and is protective against cancer (not to be given if you have active thyroid cancer). *Always consult your doctor before starting any herbs or supplements.
- Regular acupuncture treatments can reduce stress, improve flow of Qi, balance hormones and reduce breast tenderness.
- Breast lymphatic massage can be helpful in noncancerous conditions. Mix essential oils of frankincense, tea tree or peppermint with castor oil and massage breast tissue toward the armpit in a circular motion.
Again, it is very important to know your breast tissue by doing self-breast exams on a regular basis. If you notice any changes, seek medical attention and imaging. Mammograms and ultrasound are the standard of care, yet they won’t pick up everything. Breast thermography will detect any temperature changes or lymph congestion often not seen on other imaging. Often, a combination of imaging may be necessary for the most comprehensive care. FBN
Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.
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