Breast Health: Prevention, Empowerment, and Wellness

Breast health is a vital aspect of overall well-being for women of all ages. Did you know that breast cancer is the second-most diagnosed cancer in Canada and is the second leading cause of death among Canadian women over 50?[i] This October, as we honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to empower you to take proactive steps towards your breast health – because it’s never too early to start.

At Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine, we believe in supporting you with an individualized approach looking at the body’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities that may make you susceptible to disease. Through optimizing nutrition, addressing environmental factors, or supporting your body’s natural defenses, we are committed to providing comprehensive care that treats the whole person.

Know the Risk Factors

Several factors can influence your risk of developing breast cancer. Some are within your control, while others – like family history or genetics – are not. Here are some key considerations:

• Nutrition : A balanced diet plays an essential role in reducing risks. Not only can a healthy diet directly improve our health, but it can also positively interact with many other factors involved in health like inflammation, body weight, hormone levels, and our gut microbiome. It is estimated that 30%-50% of cancers can be prevented through dietary changes.[ii] [iii] [iv]

• Exercise and healthy lifestyle: Lack of exercise contributes to obesity, which in itself is a risk factor for breast cancer. In breast cancer patients, physical activity - both before and after the cancer diagnosis - has been associated with a lower risk of disease recurrence and reduced overall cancer-specific mortality compared to their sedentary counterparts. [v]

• Family history and genetics: Understanding your genetic predispositions can guide proactive prevention.

• Environmental toxins: Exposure to harmful chemicals (including alcohol and tobacco) can contribute to increased risk.

• Dense breast tissue: Dense breasts not only elevate cancer risk but also make it difficult for cancerous lesions to be seen on a mammogram.

Being informed about these factors helps you take charge of your health, empowering you to make choices that align with your long-term wellness goals. Naturopathic doctors can break down these risk factors further to help you understand your vulnerabilities and strategize an individualized prevention plan.

Symptoms to Watch For

Breast cancer can manifest in various ways, some of which may be subtle. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation:

• Changes in breast size, shape, or appearance

• New lumps, nodules, or cysts

• Nipple discharge when not breastfeeding

• Redness, pitting, or dimpling of the skin

• Peeling or flaking of the nipple

• Inverted nipples

Understanding Dense Breasts

Breast density[vi] is not about how your breasts look or feel – it is about tissue. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue, making it harder for mammograms to detect cancer. However, having dense breasts is quite common, particularly in younger women. As women get older, their breasts typically become fattier and less dense (but this isn’t always the case). It is important to know your breast density so you can understand the risks and complications and make informed screening decisions.[vii]

You can learn more at www.densebreastscanada.ca.       

Screening: Early Detection Saves Lives

Early detection is crucial, and regular screening is an important part of taking care of your breast health. As of January 2025, you will be able to self-refer for a mammogram in Saskatchewan beginning at the age of 40 (currently, the minimum screening age is 50).[viii]

Read that again – you do not need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment for a screening mammogram!

Just call 1-855-584-8228 to book your screening through the Screening Program for Breast Cancer. With screening centres throughout Saskatchewan (including a mobile unit that serves rural and northern Saskatchewan) accessing this potentially life-saving service is available to you.

How We Can Help

We are dedicated to helping you navigate these complex factors, providing tailored recommendations that fit your unique situation. Whether you are seeking prevention or already managing a diagnosis, our collaborative model works alongside conventional approaches to give you the best outcomes. From optimizing your nutrition and lifestyle to helping you understand your risks, we’re here to empower you at every step of your health journey, You deserve to feel confident, supported, and in control of your health.

[i] https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/breast/statistics

[ii] Mentella MC, Scaldaferri F, Ricci C, Gasbarrini A, Miggiano GAD. Cancer and Mediterranean Diet: A Review. Nutrients. 2019; 11(9):2059. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092059

[iii] Monllor-Tormos A, García-Vigara A, Morgan O, García-Pérez MÁ, Mendoza N, Tarín JJ, Cano A. Mediterranean diet for cancer prevention and survivorship. Maturitas. 2023 Dec;178:107841. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107841. Epub 2023 Aug 24. PMID: 37660598.

[iv] Rock CL, Doyle C, Demark-Wahnefried W, Meyerhardt J, Courneya KS, Schwartz AL, Bandera EV, Hamilton KK, Grant B, McCullough M, Byers T, Gansler T. Nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors. CA Cancer J Clin. 2012 Jul-Aug;62(4):243-74. doi: 10.3322/caac.21142. Epub 2012 Apr 26. Erratum in: CA Cancer J Clin. 2013 May;63(3):215. PMID: 22539238.

[v] Moore SC, Lee IM, Weiderpass E, Campbell PT, Sampson JN, Kitahara CM, Keadle SK, Arem H, Berrington de Gonzalez A, Hartge P, Adami HO, Blair CK, Borch KB, Boyd E, Check DP, Fournier A, Freedman ND, Gunter M, Johannson M, Khaw KT, Linet MS, Orsini N, Park Y, Riboli E, Robien K, Schairer C, Sesso H, Spriggs M, Van Dusen R, Wolk A, Matthews CE, Patel AV. Association of Leisure-Time Physical Activity With Risk of 26 Types of Cancer in 1.44 Million Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Jun 1;176(6):816-25. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1548. PMID: 27183032; PMCID: PMC5812009.

[vi] https://cancer.ca/en/treatments/tests-and-procedures/mammography/breast-density

[vii] https://densebreastscanada.ca/faq/

[viii] https://densebreastscanada.ca/breast-cancer-screening-in-saskatchewan/

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 

How can naturopathic medicine support you? No matter where you are on your breast cancer journey, from prevention to survivorship and everything in between, naturopathic medicine can be a useful integrative tool to support your health through:

• Evidence-based dietary recommendations for cancer prevention, during cancer treatments, and to reduce risk of recurrence

• Assessment of risk factors for breast cancer and recommendations to eliminate or reduce the impact of these factors on your health

• Stress reduction supports, including lifestyle recommendations, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and botanical/nutritional supports

• Laboratory testing and monitoring of important lab values

• Education and advocacy - naturopathic doctors (NDs) take the time to provide education and resources to patients, and can help to bridge a relationship between your conventional care team and your naturopathic team

• Support during conventional care - evidence-based naturopathic recommendations to help safely manage side effects and maintain optimal health during conventional treatments - your ND is knowledgeable on interactions between conventional agents and natural supports

If you are interested in learning about our approach to integrative cancer care and what supports we offer, call us at 306-664-2150 to set up a call for us to answer your questions!

Fasting-mimicking diet during treatment for Breast Cancer

Fasting-mimicking diet during treatment for Breast Cancer

Cancer cells are well equipped to accumulate nutrients, which are necessary for them to grow and divide rapidly, called proliferation. Short term fasting, which reduces nutrient intake for a period of time causes normal cells to switch from their proliferating or “growing” phase toward a maintenance phase. However, cancer cells are unable to switch off their proliferation phase - and therefore, they are deprived of nutrients, which can make them more sensitive to cancer therapies and increase cell death, all while sparing healthy cells. Fasting mimicking diets have been found to decrease insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a known growth factor for cancer cells.

Research in Nature Communications studied the effect of fasting-mimicking diet surrounding neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER-2 negative early stage breast cancer patients [1]. The study found that reducing caloric intake three days before and on the day of chemotherapy increased the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy with no additional side effects compared to those receiving chemotherapy and eating their regular diet. The study also found that fasting-mimicking diet decreased damage to healthy cells compared to those that did not change their diet.

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16138-3

Written by Dr. Dana Kolenich ND

RECIPE FOR BREAST HEALTH

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Our doctors at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine can help you learn to eat foods to prevent breast cancer or reoccurrences of the disease.

Cruciferous vegetables contain nutrients that help with healthy estrogen metabolism and breast health. This family of vegetables includes the following: Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens and Kale. Indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphanes are the phytonutrients found in these vegetables that have anticancer properties. Aim to eat one serving per day of cruciferous vegetables and keep your breasts healthy!

Here is one of Dr Velichka’s favorite recipes which incorporates these vegetables into your diet.

Mashed Cauliflower with Kale

1 medium to large head of cauliflower

5 medium leaves of kale, washed and chopped

½ tsp fresh or dried dill

1-2 Tbsp of olive oil, ghee butter or coconut oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Parsley for garnish (optional)

Bring half a pot of water to boil. Add head of cauliflower and boil for 5 minutes until cauliflower is quite tender. Strain water from pot. Mash cauliflower with a vegetable masher or blend in blender. Mix in chopped kale and let wilt with the heat from the hot cauliflower. Add oil or ghee butter, dill, salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley. Enjoy!

This is a quick and simple way to include an extra serving of non-starchy vegetables to your main meal.