October 22, 2024 • 20 mins
Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!
Today we are "reheating" The Tea About Breast Cancer with a fresh listen for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
In this episode Dr. Toombs-Withers will be spilling the tea on important information to know about Breast Cancer.
Synopsis:
- Learn some important facts about Breast Cancer
- Discover the disparities for women of color as it relates to Breast Cancer
- What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer and why is it important?
- Examine one’s risk for the development of breast cancer
- Get some “crackling hot tea” on the link between processed meats and cancer in our Ask The Expert Segment
American Cancer Society - Breast Cancer: https://essenceofhealth.link/ACS-BreastCancer
Breast Cancer Support Groups: https://essenceofhealth.link/BreastCancerSupport
How to perform a Self Breast Exam: https://essenceofhealth.link/Self-Breast-Exam
Mammogram Resources: https://essenceofhealth.link/ABCF-Mammogram-Assistance
https://essenceofhealth.link/CDC-Mammogram-Assistance
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) Breast Cancer Fact Sheet:
https://essenceofhealth.link/PCRM-BreastCancer
Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness.
Submit your questions for this segment to TeaTimeEOH@gmail.com and put “Ask The Expert” in the subject line of your email.
Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!
– Join the FREE Nourish & Flourish 5 Day Challenge at www.DrShayla.com/NFchallenge
–Take our FREE Class “Ditch The Diet: Mindful Strategies for Lasting Metabolic Health” at www.DrShayla.com/DTD
–Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching at www.DrShayla.com/EOH
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The Essence of Health is in You!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast.
(00:12):
I am your host, Dr. Shayla Toons-Whithers.
As a double board certified family and obesity medicine physician with over 12 years of experience
in medicine, I teach motivated individuals how to achieve their desired quality of life
while preventing and reversing chronic diseases.
(00:33):
It's tea time.
In October, we highlight breast cancer by spreading awareness about this form of cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer behind scan cancer in American women.
In today's episode, I'll be spilling the tea on the statistics of breast cancer, disparities
(00:57):
in breast cancer as it relates to women of color, ways to identify breast cancer early,
and ways to reduce your risk for breast cancer.
My goal for discussion is to always use inclusive language.
However, much of the breast cancer data has not been updated in an inclusive manner.
(01:18):
Before this discussion, when utilizing the term women, the research is referring to those
biologically born with female genetic makeup.
And when utilizing the term men, the research is referring to those biologically born with
male genetic makeup.
Now let's get started with some fast facts about breast cancer.
(01:39):
Fact number one, breast cancer mostly affects women, but can also affect men.
However, it is a more rare occurrence in men.
Fact number two, breast cancer mostly affects women over the age of 45.
However, it can affect younger women also with about 9% of all new cases of breast cancer
(02:02):
in the United States being found in women younger than 45 years of age.
Fact number three, there are some risk factors for breast cancer that you cannot change,
but there are some other risk factors for breast cancer that you can change.
We'll discuss this topic further, so stay tuned.
(02:23):
Fact number four, you are not alone.
A cancer diagnosis or even a precancerous diagnosis for any form of cancer can be scary
and life altering.
Know that there is help out there.
I'll list some resources for support in the show notes.
Here's some sobering tea on breast cancer in black women.
(02:44):
While black women have a lower percentage of new cases of breast cancer than white women,
black women have the highest death rate from breast cancer.
Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite being
less likely to be diagnosed with it.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in black women and has recently surpassed
(03:06):
lung cancer for this ranking with decreased rates of smoking.
Studies have found several factors that may be contributing to this phenomenon amongst
black women, including decreased rates of those who breastfeed their children and the
increased rates of black women who carry excess weight in their abdominal area.
Also, about one in five black women with breast cancer have triple negative breast cancer,
(03:31):
a more aggressive form of breast cancer.
And this rate is more than any other racial ethnic group, making black women twice as
likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer than white women.
Information from the American Cancer Society states that triple negative breast cancer
accounts for about 10 to 15% of all breast cancers.
(03:52):
The term triple negative breast cancer refers to the fact that the cancer cells don't have
the female hormones, estrogen nor progesterone receptors, and also don't make any or too
much of the protein called HER2.
These three receptors are typically found in breast cancer, and many of the medication
therapies for breast cancer target these receptors.
(04:15):
This is a wonderful explanation of triple negative breast cancer brought to us by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC.
Think of cancer cells as a house.
The front door may have three kinds of locks called receptors.
One lock is for the female hormone estrogen.
One lock is for the female hormone progesterone.
(04:36):
And one lock is for a protein called human epidermal growth factor, or HER2.
If your form of breast cancer has any of these three locks, there are a variety of keys like
hormone therapy or other drugs that can be used to help destroy the cancer cells.
But if one has triple negative breast cancer, it means that those three locks aren't there.
(05:01):
The breast cancer cells test negative on all three tests, leaving fewer keys for treatment.
However, chemotherapy is still an effective option, and other treatments are used like
removing the breast lump or lumpectomy, removing the breast itself or mastectomy, and radiation
therapy.
(05:21):
Breast cancers tend to be more common in women younger than 40 who are Black or who have
a BRCA1 mutation.
Triple negative breast cancer differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that
it tends to grow and spread faster, and it tends to have a worse potential outcome due
to fewer treatment options available for this form of cancer.
(05:45):
Also research from the American Cancer Society found that due to other socioeconomic factors,
systemic racism, and barriers to access to quality health care, Black women have been
found to be more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease, which is usually more
costly and difficult to treat, more likely to experience delays in treatment, and less
(06:08):
likely to receive recommended treatment leading to higher rates of death from breast cancer.
So now that we know the statistics, let's sip some tea as we discuss ways to identify
breast cancer early.
As the research has shown, your chance for survival is increased when cancer is found
early enough for interventions to be provided.
(06:30):
Breast cancer screening recommendations have changed some over the past several years,
and some recommendations will vary depending on the academic group you're following.
However, here are some consensus on the screening recommendations.
A mammogram, which is like an x-ray of the breast, is our main screening resource.
An individual may choose to undergo mammogram screening as early as age 40 to 49.
(06:56):
However, the academic groups differ on if this is necessary or not for this age group,
and definitely recommend you have this discussion with your personal doctor to determine your
risk and benefits for screening within this age group.
For women ages 50 to 74, the academic groups agree that routine breast screening should
occur, however, the timeframe for repeat screening is debatable, with some groups recommending
(07:21):
yearly screening and some recommending screening every two years.
Beyond age 75, the recommendation to screen or not screen for breast cancer is variable.
The thought behind this is since most breast cancers will be found and diagnosed when a
woman is in her 60s, there should be a balance of if there is a further risk of harm to continue
(07:44):
screening beyond age 75, and the thought that at that age a woman is more likely to be at
higher risk from heart disease than breast cancer.
For those women who are considered to be at high risk, these guidelines won't likely apply
to you, so you will definitely want to discuss this with your doctor.
Another way to screen for breast cancer is with an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging,
(08:08):
which uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast.
Breast MRI is used along with mammograms to screen women who are at high risk for getting
breast cancer.
Because breast MRIs may appear abnormal even when there is no cancer, they are not used
for women at average risk and are reserved for those who are at higher risk.
(08:31):
Other forms of screening include clinical breast exams, which are manual exams that
may be performed by your doctor, and self breast exams, which are manual and visual
exams that you perform on your own body to look for any new or different changes in your
breasts that may be concerning.
Check out the show notes for a detailed guide on performing your self breast evaluation.
(08:53):
There are times when one of these screening modalities may not find your breast cancer
early enough.
This is called a false negative result.
So it's important to know your risk and to discuss with your doctor the recommended screening
routine for you.
If you're frustrated with your weight, taking more medications than you like to, have been
(09:13):
told that you are at risk for the development of a chronic preventable disease, or just
are not feeling in the best of health, then I'm talking to you.
Why?
Because you're tired of fat dieting, you know it's time for a change, and you want a sustainable
plan to improve your health.
If you have found yourself at this place in life, well I have developed a program that's
(09:36):
just for you.
It's called the Essence of Health, and it's your prescription for transformation.
My goal with this program is to give you the tools needed to create sustainable lifestyle
changes within a group coaching setting, along with one to one individualized coaching to
give you a personalized path to help that's just for you.
(09:58):
The benefits are priceless, so join today.
Head on over to eohcoaching.com to learn more.
The Essence of Health is in you.
As we discussed at the top of the episode, there are some risks for breast cancer that
you cannot change.
(10:19):
For example, age.
Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
We also cannot alter our genes, and studies have shown that about 5 to 10% of breast cancers
are hereditary.
BRCA1 and 2 are two specific gene mutations that have been identified that may contribute
(10:39):
to hereditary breast cancer.
BRCA is an abbreviation for breast cancer gene.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that have been found to impact a person's chances
of developing breast cancer.
All women have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
And normally these genes play a role in the prevention of breast cancer.
(11:03):
But there are some women who have mutations or alterations in those genes causing them
to not work properly to carry out their role of breast cancer prevention.
According to the CDC, about one in every 500 women in the United States has a mutation
in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
(11:24):
People with the BRCA gene mutation are more likely to develop breast cancer and more likely
to develop cancer at a young age.
However, not every woman who has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will get breast cancer,
but having a gene mutation puts you at an increased risk for this cancer.
(11:44):
I'll share with you some additional information from the CDC.
About 50 out of 100 women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will get breast cancer
by the time they turn 70 years old, compared to only 7 out of 100 women in the general
United States population.
(12:05):
Another risk factor we cannot change is our family history and inherited risk.
Sometimes I encounter individuals who aren't well informed regarding the health of their
close family members and whom don't know much about what conditions their parents, siblings,
or grandparents have or may have had.
If you are one of these individuals, I encourage you to take a moment with your family members
(12:29):
to become aware of what health conditions others may have or have had, as this will
be helpful for you to know what conditions you may be at risk for developing.
When you know your risk, it's helpful to look for these conditions earlier to prevent the
condition altogether or worsening of the condition.
Here are some findings that may help you to determine if you may be at risk for BRCA gene
(12:52):
mutations and these are based on your family history.
You may be at increased risk if your family history includes several relatives with breast
cancer, any relatives with ovarian cancer, relatives who got breast cancer before age
50, a relative with cancer in both breasts, a relative who had both breast and ovarian
(13:14):
cancer, a male relative with breast cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, Central or Eastern
European, and any relative with breast or ovarian cancer, a relative with a known BRCA
gene mutation.
Additional breast cancer risk factors that we cannot change include our reproductive
(13:35):
history, starting menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55,
expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
We cannot change the risk factor of having dense breast tissue.
The breast has three kinds of tissue, fibrous tissue, glandular tissue, and fatty tissue.
(13:59):
When a mammogram report states that someone has dense breast tissue, this means that their
breast contains more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
Dense breast tissue can hide breast cancer lesions on a mammogram because they become
more challenging to see on the imaging study.
This is actually an instance where having an area of the body with more fatty tissue
(14:22):
is protective.
Previous treatment with radiation therapy to the chest or breast area for another condition
before the age of 30 can increase one's risk for breast cancer.
We cannot change this risk factor.
And exposure to a medication called DES is a risk factor for breast cancer that we cannot
(14:43):
change.
DES was given to some pregnant women in the United States between the 1940s and 1970s to
prevent miscarriage.
Women who took DES or whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them have a higher risk
of getting breast cancer.
According to data from the American Cancer Society, overall, a woman in the United States
(15:08):
has a one in eight chance that she will develop breast cancer.
This equates to about a 13% chance of developing breast cancer at some point in your life.
However, the bright side to this is that this also means that there is a seven in eight
chance that you will never develop breast cancer.
So let's talk about ways to reduce your risk.
(15:31):
Number one, get moving.
Studies have shown that exercise can reduce one's risk for breast cancer.
Aim to get at least 150 to 300 minutes or two and a half to five hours of moderate to
vigorous physical activity each week.
Choose activities like brisk walking, mowing the lawn with the push lawn mower, cycling,
(15:54):
playing tennis, hiking, jogging or running, playing basketball or dancing in a high intensity
dance class like Zumba.
Number two, maintain a healthy weight.
Older women who have an overweight or obese weight have a higher risk of developing breast
cancer, increased weight gain with increasing age has also been associated with an increased
(16:19):
risk of breast cancer.
Number three, be aware of hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy after menopause can increase one's risk for the development
of breast cancer, especially when taken for a prolonged period of time, typically greater
than five years.
So talk to your doctor and consider some non hormonal options for treating your menopausal
(16:40):
symptoms.
Number four, for those who are able and have the desire reproduce, having your first pregnancy
before age 30 and breastfeeding for at least several months after childbirth can be beneficial
in reducing some of your risk for the development of breast cancer.
(17:01):
Number five, limit alcohol consumption.
Studies have shown that alcohol intake can increase one's risk for the development of
breast cancer.
If you opt to drink alcohol, try not to exceed one alcoholic drink per day.
This leads us into our Ask the Expert segment of the podcast.
In today's Ask the Expert segment, our question is, is it true that processed meats can cause
(17:26):
cancer?
This question was submitted anonymously, but a special thank you for submitting this question.
Now let me get you some crackling hot tea regarding processed meat.
In 2015, the World Health Organization, or WHO, classified processed meat as carcinogenic
to humans, meaning that it was proven to be linked to increasing one's risk for cancer,
(17:51):
specifically colorectal cancer.
Their studies found that just 50 grams of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk
of colorectal cancer by 18%, meaning that about four slices of bacon or one hot dog
can increase your risk of colorectal cancer to almost a one in five chance.
(18:12):
Another 2015 study and a 2017 study showed that nitrite intake from processed meat increased
a woman's risk of breast cancer by over 20%.
Eating just 15 grams of processed meat daily was shown to increase one's risk of breast
cancer.
Keep in mind that this amount was much less than the amount mentioned in the colorectal
(18:34):
cancer findings.
So when you're deciding what to put on your plate, steer clear of ham, sausage, hot dogs,
bacon, pepperoni, beef, turkey, and deli meats, including roast beef and turkey.
Be a label reader and avoid foods that contain nitrites or nitrates.
Nitrates are nitrogen-based compounds that are added to meats during their processing
(18:58):
to preserve the meat.
Nitrites are derived from nitrates, so you may see these terms used interchangeably,
but steer clear of both nitrates and nitrites.
The components of processed meats that are responsible for their cancer risk include
nitrates added, heme iron, which is a pigment that makes the meat red, and chemicals called
(19:21):
heterocyclic amines and polycyclic amines, which are produced when meat is cooked at
high temperatures, like frying your bacon or grilling your hot dog.
All of these components cause damage to the healthy cells within our body, increasing
your risk for the development of cancerous cells.
So think outside of the deli box for your health.
(19:43):
Instead of a deli sandwich, choose a plant-based sandwich made with fresh vegetables, hummus,
and or tofu.
Add vegetables to your breakfast plate for a vegetable hash instead of the traditional
bacon and egg breakfast.
At your next cookout, try a plant-based burger or a carrot hot dog instead.
Use food to promote health, not disease.
(20:06):
Thank you for joining me today on the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast.
Click the subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a
moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast.
Check out the show notes to obtain your free tips for Healthy Living God to get you started
on your health and wellness path.
(20:27):
Follow me on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube and at doctor.tw at eohwc on TikTok.
Interested in becoming a member of the Essence of Health coaching program?
Well head on over to www.eohcoaching.com.
(20:50):
The essence of health is in you.
Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast.
(00:12):
I am your host, Dr. Shayla Toons-Whithers.
As a double board certified family and obesity medicine physician with over 12 years of experience
in medicine, I teach motivated individuals how to achieve their desired quality of life
while preventing and reversing chronic diseases.
(00:33):
It's tea time.
In October, we highlight breast cancer by spreading awareness about this form of cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer behind scan cancer in American women.
In today's episode, I'll be spilling the tea on the statistics of breast cancer, disparities
(00:57):
in breast cancer as it relates to women of color, ways to identify breast cancer early,
and ways to reduce your risk for breast cancer.
My goal for discussion is to always use inclusive language.
However, much of the breast cancer data has not been updated in an inclusive manner.
(01:18):
Before this discussion, when utilizing the term women, the research is referring to those
biologically born with female genetic makeup.
And when utilizing the term men, the research is referring to those biologically born with
male genetic makeup.
Now let's get started with some fast facts about breast cancer.
(01:39):
Fact number one, breast cancer mostly affects women, but can also affect men.
However, it is a more rare occurrence in men.
Fact number two, breast cancer mostly affects women over the age of 45.
However, it can affect younger women also with about 9% of all new cases of breast cancer
(02:02):
in the United States being found in women younger than 45 years of age.
Fact number three, there are some risk factors for breast cancer that you cannot change,
but there are some other risk factors for breast cancer that you can change.
We'll discuss this topic further, so stay tuned.
(02:23):
Fact number four, you are not alone.
A cancer diagnosis or even a precancerous diagnosis for any form of cancer can be scary
and life altering.
Know that there is help out there.
I'll list some resources for support in the show notes.
Here's some sobering tea on breast cancer in black women.
(02:44):
While black women have a lower percentage of new cases of breast cancer than white women,
black women have the highest death rate from breast cancer.
Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite being
less likely to be diagnosed with it.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in black women and has recently surpassed
(03:06):
lung cancer for this ranking with decreased rates of smoking.
Studies have found several factors that may be contributing to this phenomenon amongst
black women, including decreased rates of those who breastfeed their children and the
increased rates of black women who carry excess weight in their abdominal area.
Also, about one in five black women with breast cancer have triple negative breast cancer,
(03:31):
a more aggressive form of breast cancer.
And this rate is more than any other racial ethnic group, making black women twice as
likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer than white women.
Information from the American Cancer Society states that triple negative breast cancer
accounts for about 10 to 15% of all breast cancers.
(03:52):
The term triple negative breast cancer refers to the fact that the cancer cells don't have
the female hormones, estrogen nor progesterone receptors, and also don't make any or too
much of the protein called HER2.
These three receptors are typically found in breast cancer, and many of the medication
therapies for breast cancer target these receptors.
(04:15):
This is a wonderful explanation of triple negative breast cancer brought to us by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC.
Think of cancer cells as a house.
The front door may have three kinds of locks called receptors.
One lock is for the female hormone estrogen.
One lock is for the female hormone progesterone.
(04:36):
And one lock is for a protein called human epidermal growth factor, or HER2.
If your form of breast cancer has any of these three locks, there are a variety of keys like
hormone therapy or other drugs that can be used to help destroy the cancer cells.
But if one has triple negative breast cancer, it means that those three locks aren't there.
(05:01):
The breast cancer cells test negative on all three tests, leaving fewer keys for treatment.
However, chemotherapy is still an effective option, and other treatments are used like
removing the breast lump or lumpectomy, removing the breast itself or mastectomy, and radiation
therapy.
(05:21):
Breast cancers tend to be more common in women younger than 40 who are Black or who have
a BRCA1 mutation.
Triple negative breast cancer differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that
it tends to grow and spread faster, and it tends to have a worse potential outcome due
to fewer treatment options available for this form of cancer.
(05:45):
Also research from the American Cancer Society found that due to other socioeconomic factors,
systemic racism, and barriers to access to quality health care, Black women have been
found to be more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease, which is usually more
costly and difficult to treat, more likely to experience delays in treatment, and less
(06:08):
likely to receive recommended treatment leading to higher rates of death from breast cancer.
So now that we know the statistics, let's sip some tea as we discuss ways to identify
breast cancer early.
As the research has shown, your chance for survival is increased when cancer is found
early enough for interventions to be provided.
(06:30):
Breast cancer screening recommendations have changed some over the past several years,
and some recommendations will vary depending on the academic group you're following.
However, here are some consensus on the screening recommendations.
A mammogram, which is like an x-ray of the breast, is our main screening resource.
An individual may choose to undergo mammogram screening as early as age 40 to 49.
(06:56):
However, the academic groups differ on if this is necessary or not for this age group,
and definitely recommend you have this discussion with your personal doctor to determine your
risk and benefits for screening within this age group.
For women ages 50 to 74, the academic groups agree that routine breast screening should
occur, however, the timeframe for repeat screening is debatable, with some groups recommending
(07:21):
yearly screening and some recommending screening every two years.
Beyond age 75, the recommendation to screen or not screen for breast cancer is variable.
The thought behind this is since most breast cancers will be found and diagnosed when a
woman is in her 60s, there should be a balance of if there is a further risk of harm to continue
(07:44):
screening beyond age 75, and the thought that at that age a woman is more likely to be at
higher risk from heart disease than breast cancer.
For those women who are considered to be at high risk, these guidelines won't likely apply
to you, so you will definitely want to discuss this with your doctor.
Another way to screen for breast cancer is with an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging,
(08:08):
which uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast.
Breast MRI is used along with mammograms to screen women who are at high risk for getting
breast cancer.
Because breast MRIs may appear abnormal even when there is no cancer, they are not used
for women at average risk and are reserved for those who are at higher risk.
(08:31):
Other forms of screening include clinical breast exams, which are manual exams that
may be performed by your doctor, and self breast exams, which are manual and visual
exams that you perform on your own body to look for any new or different changes in your
breasts that may be concerning.
Check out the show notes for a detailed guide on performing your self breast evaluation.
(08:53):
There are times when one of these screening modalities may not find your breast cancer
early enough.
This is called a false negative result.
So it's important to know your risk and to discuss with your doctor the recommended screening
routine for you.
If you're frustrated with your weight, taking more medications than you like to, have been
(09:13):
told that you are at risk for the development of a chronic preventable disease, or just
are not feeling in the best of health, then I'm talking to you.
Why?
Because you're tired of fat dieting, you know it's time for a change, and you want a sustainable
plan to improve your health.
If you have found yourself at this place in life, well I have developed a program that's
(09:36):
just for you.
It's called the Essence of Health, and it's your prescription for transformation.
My goal with this program is to give you the tools needed to create sustainable lifestyle
changes within a group coaching setting, along with one to one individualized coaching to
give you a personalized path to help that's just for you.
(09:58):
The benefits are priceless, so join today.
Head on over to eohcoaching.com to learn more.
The Essence of Health is in you.
As we discussed at the top of the episode, there are some risks for breast cancer that
you cannot change.
(10:19):
For example, age.
Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
We also cannot alter our genes, and studies have shown that about 5 to 10% of breast cancers
are hereditary.
BRCA1 and 2 are two specific gene mutations that have been identified that may contribute
(10:39):
to hereditary breast cancer.
BRCA is an abbreviation for breast cancer gene.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that have been found to impact a person's chances
of developing breast cancer.
All women have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
And normally these genes play a role in the prevention of breast cancer.
(11:03):
But there are some women who have mutations or alterations in those genes causing them
to not work properly to carry out their role of breast cancer prevention.
According to the CDC, about one in every 500 women in the United States has a mutation
in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
(11:24):
People with the BRCA gene mutation are more likely to develop breast cancer and more likely
to develop cancer at a young age.
However, not every woman who has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will get breast cancer,
but having a gene mutation puts you at an increased risk for this cancer.
(11:44):
I'll share with you some additional information from the CDC.
About 50 out of 100 women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will get breast cancer
by the time they turn 70 years old, compared to only 7 out of 100 women in the general
United States population.
(12:05):
Another risk factor we cannot change is our family history and inherited risk.
Sometimes I encounter individuals who aren't well informed regarding the health of their
close family members and whom don't know much about what conditions their parents, siblings,
or grandparents have or may have had.
If you are one of these individuals, I encourage you to take a moment with your family members
(12:29):
to become aware of what health conditions others may have or have had, as this will
be helpful for you to know what conditions you may be at risk for developing.
When you know your risk, it's helpful to look for these conditions earlier to prevent the
condition altogether or worsening of the condition.
Here are some findings that may help you to determine if you may be at risk for BRCA gene
(12:52):
mutations and these are based on your family history.
You may be at increased risk if your family history includes several relatives with breast
cancer, any relatives with ovarian cancer, relatives who got breast cancer before age
50, a relative with cancer in both breasts, a relative who had both breast and ovarian
(13:14):
cancer, a male relative with breast cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, Central or Eastern
European, and any relative with breast or ovarian cancer, a relative with a known BRCA
gene mutation.
Additional breast cancer risk factors that we cannot change include our reproductive
(13:35):
history, starting menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55,
expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
We cannot change the risk factor of having dense breast tissue.
The breast has three kinds of tissue, fibrous tissue, glandular tissue, and fatty tissue.
(13:59):
When a mammogram report states that someone has dense breast tissue, this means that their
breast contains more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
Dense breast tissue can hide breast cancer lesions on a mammogram because they become
more challenging to see on the imaging study.
This is actually an instance where having an area of the body with more fatty tissue
(14:22):
is protective.
Previous treatment with radiation therapy to the chest or breast area for another condition
before the age of 30 can increase one's risk for breast cancer.
We cannot change this risk factor.
And exposure to a medication called DES is a risk factor for breast cancer that we cannot
(14:43):
change.
DES was given to some pregnant women in the United States between the 1940s and 1970s to
prevent miscarriage.
Women who took DES or whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them have a higher risk
of getting breast cancer.
According to data from the American Cancer Society, overall, a woman in the United States
(15:08):
has a one in eight chance that she will develop breast cancer.
This equates to about a 13% chance of developing breast cancer at some point in your life.
However, the bright side to this is that this also means that there is a seven in eight
chance that you will never develop breast cancer.
So let's talk about ways to reduce your risk.
(15:31):
Number one, get moving.
Studies have shown that exercise can reduce one's risk for breast cancer.
Aim to get at least 150 to 300 minutes or two and a half to five hours of moderate to
vigorous physical activity each week.
Choose activities like brisk walking, mowing the lawn with the push lawn mower, cycling,
(15:54):
playing tennis, hiking, jogging or running, playing basketball or dancing in a high intensity
dance class like Zumba.
Number two, maintain a healthy weight.
Older women who have an overweight or obese weight have a higher risk of developing breast
cancer, increased weight gain with increasing age has also been associated with an increased
(16:19):
risk of breast cancer.
Number three, be aware of hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy after menopause can increase one's risk for the development
of breast cancer, especially when taken for a prolonged period of time, typically greater
than five years.
So talk to your doctor and consider some non hormonal options for treating your menopausal
(16:40):
symptoms.
Number four, for those who are able and have the desire reproduce, having your first pregnancy
before age 30 and breastfeeding for at least several months after childbirth can be beneficial
in reducing some of your risk for the development of breast cancer.
(17:01):
Number five, limit alcohol consumption.
Studies have shown that alcohol intake can increase one's risk for the development of
breast cancer.
If you opt to drink alcohol, try not to exceed one alcoholic drink per day.
This leads us into our Ask the Expert segment of the podcast.
In today's Ask the Expert segment, our question is, is it true that processed meats can cause
(17:26):
cancer?
This question was submitted anonymously, but a special thank you for submitting this question.
Now let me get you some crackling hot tea regarding processed meat.
In 2015, the World Health Organization, or WHO, classified processed meat as carcinogenic
to humans, meaning that it was proven to be linked to increasing one's risk for cancer,
(17:51):
specifically colorectal cancer.
Their studies found that just 50 grams of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk
of colorectal cancer by 18%, meaning that about four slices of bacon or one hot dog
can increase your risk of colorectal cancer to almost a one in five chance.
(18:12):
Another 2015 study and a 2017 study showed that nitrite intake from processed meat increased
a woman's risk of breast cancer by over 20%.
Eating just 15 grams of processed meat daily was shown to increase one's risk of breast
cancer.
Keep in mind that this amount was much less than the amount mentioned in the colorectal
(18:34):
cancer findings.
So when you're deciding what to put on your plate, steer clear of ham, sausage, hot dogs,
bacon, pepperoni, beef, turkey, and deli meats, including roast beef and turkey.
Be a label reader and avoid foods that contain nitrites or nitrates.
Nitrates are nitrogen-based compounds that are added to meats during their processing
(18:58):
to preserve the meat.
Nitrites are derived from nitrates, so you may see these terms used interchangeably,
but steer clear of both nitrates and nitrites.
The components of processed meats that are responsible for their cancer risk include
nitrates added, heme iron, which is a pigment that makes the meat red, and chemicals called
(19:21):
heterocyclic amines and polycyclic amines, which are produced when meat is cooked at
high temperatures, like frying your bacon or grilling your hot dog.
All of these components cause damage to the healthy cells within our body, increasing
your risk for the development of cancerous cells.
So think outside of the deli box for your health.
(19:43):
Instead of a deli sandwich, choose a plant-based sandwich made with fresh vegetables, hummus,
and or tofu.
Add vegetables to your breakfast plate for a vegetable hash instead of the traditional
bacon and egg breakfast.
At your next cookout, try a plant-based burger or a carrot hot dog instead.
Use food to promote health, not disease.
(20:06):
Thank you for joining me today on the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast.
Click the subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a
moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast.
Check out the show notes to obtain your free tips for Healthy Living God to get you started
on your health and wellness path.
(20:27):
Follow me on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube and at doctor.tw at eohwc on TikTok.
Interested in becoming a member of the Essence of Health coaching program?
Well head on over to www.eohcoaching.com.
(20:50):
The essence of health is in you.
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