Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer: Natural Treatment vs. Drug Treatment

Many people today choose to put their trust in drugs because "that's what the doctor ordered." The heavily promoted so called " wonder drug" marketed under the names Aromasin, Femara and Arimidex has been proven to block the enzyme (aromatase) involved in the biosynthesis of estrogen. More specifically it inhibits two forms of estrogen: estradiol and estrone. The drug is used to treat woman with " estrogen positive breast cancer." It is commonly known as an aromatase inhibitor (AIs).

The need for AIs increase as women age because the production of estradiol diminishes and eventually stops causing estrogen imbalance. The imbalance causes breast tissue to become vulnerable to cell mutation leading to cancer.

While these drugs are effective aromatase inhibitors they have proven to be so toxic that they do not extend the life of the breast cancer victim. In fact they may cause death sooner than would occurred without them.

A team of researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto conducted a study which compared AIs to another breast cancer drug in post menopausal women called tamoxifen. More than 30,000 breast cancer patients were involved in multiple trials to obtain their data. It was found that longer use of AIs lead to more bone fractures and heart disease, while prolonged use of tamoxifen resulted in higher rates of cancer of the womb and blood clots. Although AIs were found to prevent breast cancer reoccurrence they were not found to prolong life.

There are some highly effective natural treatments for estrogen positive breast cancer which should be combined for the best results. They are natural aromatase inhibitors and bio-identical hormones.

Natural AIs are the only good AI choice for preventing breast cancer. Not only do they work as effectively as drugs, but have no side effects as well as a host of other benefits. According to research conducted at the University of Munster in Germany when women who are at an age where they have estrogen imbalance consume foods rich in AIs, breast cancer never gets the opportunity to begin. Eating an unhealthy diet of processed and refined foods high in unhealthy fats, simple sugars, artificial sweeteners and other food chemicals will have the opposite effect. Foods containing estrogen such as processed soy, dairy products and meat should be avoided. To be safe choose organic meats and dairy alternatives such as almond or rice milk.

There are many powerful natural aromatase inhibitors to choose from. They are apigenin (good sources are parsley, celery, basil, chamomile and artichokes, naringenin (all citrus fruit are good sources except grapefruit) resveratrol ( Red grapes) quercetin (good sources are onions, cabbage and garlic) and oleuropein (olive leaf, olives) . When these substances are obtained from whole foods they have the added benefit of whole food synergy enhancing their AI ability.

A flavonoid called chrysin which comes from the passion flower plant has been found to be a powerful AI and is available as a supplement. Research shows that it is as effective as drugs without the side effects. Chrysin should be taken with piperine which greatly enhances absorption and utilization by the body.

Balancing hormones is an essential step in protecting against breast cancer. Balance is needed between the two major types of estrogen (estradiol and estrone) as well as between estrogen and progesterone .

Studies have found that the phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables called diindolymethane (D.I.M) has the ability to increase anti-cancer estrogen metabolites while decreasing cancer promoting estrogen metabolites. Cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower are all rich sources of D.I.M. It is formed from Indole-3-carbinol which can be purchased as a supplement. For more information about Indole-3-carbinol read "Indole 3 Carbinol Benefits: Thyroid And More."

According to a 1996 study conducted at John Hopkins University, woman who have insufficient levels of progesterone are 80% more likely to develop breast cancer and 10 times more likely to develop other types of malignant cancer. A powerful in-home therapy for bringing balance between estrogen and progesterone and the different types of estrogen is an effective bio-identical progesterone cream. To learn more read the following article "Arbonne Prolief - A Progesterone Balancing Cream Review." For more information about progesterone read "Progesterone Cream-Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer."

Alternative cancer treatment should always be received under the care and guidance of a natural health care practitioner.