Natural Ways to Change Your Lifestyle to Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Everyone is unique, so preventing illness and staying healthy is different for each individual. Exercising, eating a well-balanced and nutrient-dense diet, and reducing stress help most people feel better. Adopting healthier habits is essential for your well-being, but it is not always easy.

Preventing Breast Cancer

There are no definitive causes of breast cancer and, thus, no proven ways to prevent this disease. Fear of the unknown can provoke anxiety, uncertainty, and anger. Decreasing exposure to harmful products and adopting beneficial practices may help lower the risks.

The Endocrine System

A network of glands and hormones known as the endocrine system runs your body. It works with other systems to regulate healthy function and development. It also secretes hormones like adrenaline and insulin.

Endocrine Disruptors

These chemicals interfere with the endocrine system and affect how the body’s hormones work. Some mimic the hormones and trick the body into reacting or overreacting at the wrong time. Others prevent natural hormones from doing their jobs. They can also decrease or increase the hormone levels in the blood. That will affect your body's sensitivity to different hormones.

How Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals Increase the Risk of Hormonal-sensitive Cancer

Cancer stems from a complex interaction of different factors. These include environmental exposure, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. Experts believe two-thirds of all cancers, including breast cancer, have an environmental link. The National Institute of Health lists many EDCs as cancer-causing substances.

Endocrine disruptors are substances in the environment that can affect how hormones act. Studies suggest that EDCs can influence hormone-sensitive cancers. These include breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular, and uterine cancer. Exposure to endocrine disruptors could enhance the metastasis or progression of tumors.

Chemicals That Could Interfere With the Hormonal System

Below is a list of chemicals classified as endocrine disruptors. That means they can interfere with the actions of the hormones in your body in various ways. Focusing on them as a whole rather than specific chemicals would be best. Examples of EDCs include:

· Perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances

· Bisphenol A - Contained in many food-storage containers

· Phthalates - Used to make plastic products more pliable

· Dioxins – Spread when certain substances burn

· Polychlorinated biphenyls – Found in products such as lubricants and transformers

· Triclosan – Present in chemicals and products designed to kill bacteria

How to Avoid Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals

Wash your hands as often as possible
Avoid antibacterial and fragranced soaps
Vacuum and dust often
Choose fragrance-free cleaning products, creams, and laundry detergents to avoid phthalates
Reduce your plastic use
Say no to canned foods to avoid BPA chemicals that keep the cans from rusting
Eat organic foods as much as possible to avoid pesticide residue
Filter your water to reduce exposure to BPA and other chemicals in plastic bottles and cans
Say no to kids' cosmetics to minimize your little one's exposure to EDCs
Avoid harsh chemical products while cleaning

PFAS as a Class

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances constitute a multi-billion category of chemicals. Manufacturers use them to make coatings that repel stains, grease, and water. They are also in a wide variety of industrial appliances and consumer goods.

These chemicals are present in coatings on clothing and carpets, fast-food wrappers, and microwave popcorn bags. Most stain-repellent or waterproof clothing has a PFAS coating. These chemicals pollute water and the environment and remain in the body for many years.

Some people find it easier to make a significant change in how they live. Others find that making small changes over a long period is more effective. Generally, the primary motivation is to feel better.

For more on natural lifestyle changes to implement that could help prevent breast cancer, contact Advanced Health and Wellness at our Newnan, Georgia office. Call (770) 253-5040 to schedule an appointment today.