Menopause itself is not generally associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, we tend to think of it as something more in younger women.

However prolonged HRT use – particularly if oestrogen only – does increase the risk as does the fact that our age is also significant.

But, the rates of many cancers, including breast cancer, do increase with age and this is the single most important risk factor for breast cancer.

Starting menopause after age 55 increases the risk of breast and endometrial cancers.

Women who start menopause later also may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer, possibly because they have had more ovulations.

The chances of developing the disease increase with age as around 95% of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are over age 40, and about half are age 61 and older.

Risk Factors

You may have a high risk but it does not automatically mean you will develop breast cancer. The reverse is also true, with none or few risk factors it is still possible to develop the disease.

These are the most commonly listed risks:

* Having cancer in one breast (may recur or develop in other)
* Having a history of ovarian, uterine, or colon cancer
* Having a genetic abnormality in breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2
* Late menopause (after age 55)
* Starting menstruation early in life (before age 12)
* Having a first child after age 30
* Never having children

Now there is nothing you can you do to change any of these things, but there are some things you can alter.

How to help minimise your risk

The very best thing you can do is to minimise your exposure to oestrogen, whether through drugs, the environment or the food chain so try these simple tips:

1. Make the switch to bioidentical hormones as progesterone is known to support breast health and reduce cancer risk with no side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

Progesterone can also be used by women with a history of breast cancer and treatment as it balances the excess oestrogen (oestrogen dominance) which is linked to it.

Dame Dr Shirley Bond – a private GP who has been prescribing bioidentical hormones for many years – has suggested using progesterone alongside Tamoxifen to offset the side effects of the drug and similar ones of that class. Wellsprings Serenity is a bioidentical progesterone cream.

Evidence suggests that the high doses of synthetic hormones in HRT – and that the longer a woman is exposed to these – then the greater the risk of developing breast cancer.

This is why the recommended time limit for women on such medication is now more closely monitored and usually 2-5 years is recommended.

BUT if your doctor is taking you off HRT do be aware that you need to reduce it gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as severe hot flushes if stopping suddenly.

2. Exercise is important at any age so keep it simple, pleasurable and something you can commit to.

Exercise improves breathing so you get more oxygen into your tissues and this is important because it promotes lymphatic flow to help cleanse breast tissue.

It can also help to promote healthy insulin levels, improve your immune defence system and help you lose weight. That last one is very important – not just because you will feel better – but because body fat produces oestrogen.

Although you may no longer be producing oestrogen from the ovaries, your body will then switch production into the fat cells, and this is generally of the belly, abdomen and thighs, which accounts for the weight increase many women see at Menopause.

Higher oestrogen levels that are not balanced by progesterone can increase the risk for breast and other hormonal cancers.

3. Vitamin D is a key nutrient for breast health and reduced cancer risk so if you are not getting enough sunshine then look at taking a supplement, especially in winter or if you do not spend much time outdoors.

It is also essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, important minerals, and facilitating normal immune system function.

Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain conditions, including diabetes.

4. Loosen your bra, or make sure you are not wearing one all the time, as doing so disrupts the normal healthy lymphatic flow in your breast tissue and can also affect the temperature of your breasts.

Unrestricted movement or bounce during normal activities gently massages and helps stimulate lymphatic flow.

Breast health is better in slightly cooler temperatures than the average 98.6F body temperature.

A study in the USA between 1991 and 1993 found that women who wore bras either not at all or for the least amount of time each day (and not at night) experienced the highest levels of breast health.

5. Ditch the plastic in your home wherever you can as research shows that bisphenol-A, or BPA, as well as its common replacement, BPS, are both similar in oestrogenic activity to oestradiol, the most potent form of Oestrogen.

BPA’s are widely used in plastic water bottles and milk jugs, the lining of canned foods and drinks cans, as well as plastic microwavable plates and utensils.

6. Don’t skimp on sleep as at night, in a darkened room, your brain produces Melatonin which is again very important for breast and immune health.

It’s a potent antioxidant and it decreases the amount of oestrogen that your body produces.

Any amount of light in your bedroom can shut down or reduce your body’s melatonin production and the ideal hours for sleep – and for optimal melatonin production – are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Melatonin hormone levels spike between midnight and 1 a.m.
 so if you are a night owl then you will be missing out on the benefits of melatonin.

7. Manage your stress levels because although your physical health is important, so too is your emotional health. You need to and learn to develop a positive attitude to life and find ways to reduce your everyday stress.

Two simple things that can reduce stress: first develop an active social life with positive people that you enjoy being around and secondly practice the simple technique of gratitude for something that has occurred during the day.

8. Make your diet support your breast health, not make it more vulnerable. This means a diet with plenty of leafy greens and raw vegetables, and juicing them is a simple way to absorb the nutrients they contain if you don’t eat many vegetables normally.

High in important antioxidants for breast health are those containing lutein, lycopene, and carotenoids. You will find them in fresh berries, yams, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, cherries, cranberries, and watermelon.

Vegetables like kale, cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, turnips and cauliflower contain a breast health-supporting nutrient called indole-3-carbinol (I3C) or its metabolite DIM so eat those regularly too.

Soy may not always be the best choice for your breast health diet as some studies have shown that soy may promote oestrogenic activity.

Have soy and soy products in moderation as many women do find them helpful for hormonal symptoms, but  if you are sensitive to it you can eat fermented soy products such as natto, miso, and tempeh.

Tea is definitely on the menu as all types – green, white, and black – contain polyphenols, which are naturally-occurring antioxidants.

Levels of one especially potent polyphenol known as EGCG are highest in green tea.

Keep your levels of omega 3 high with foods such as walnuts, chia seeds, krill and fatty fish.

These help promote a normal inflammatory response and support healthy cell development which supports breast health.

An excellent spice for breast health is turmeric, as it is a potent antioxidant and helps promote a normal inflammatory response.

If you don’t use it in cooking, or have it in foods such as Indian dishes,  you might try taking a curcumin supplement instead.

Helpful information:  

Whether it is breast, endometrial or ovarian cancers in women the role of progesterone in helping reduce hormonal cancer risks is important.

Women – and men too – are affected by oestrogen dominance so check your symptoms and then rebalance with bioidentical progesterone in Serenity.

If breast cancer is a concern for you, or someone you know, then the following article will be helpful.

https://anna.blog.wellsprings-health.com/natural-progesterone-as-a-preventive-for-breast-cancer/