Nutrition – Impact on Breast Cancer

The estimate for your lifetime breast cancer risk varies, depending on where you are getting the information. Some literature claims that it is a one in nine risk, while others say the risk is much larger or much smaller. There are a number of risk factors and there are those who are considered to be higher risk than others. The category that you are placed in will determine how soon you start getting certain types of screening tests and how soon your insurance (if you have any) will pay for these tests. Each insurance company has their own guidelines for when testing may be done, so it is always best to check with your insurance provider for any questions that you might have. Only your doctor can help you define the risk category that you fall into, however, the general risk factors that you should be aware of include:

- A personal history of breast cancer

- A family history of breast cancer especially in your mother, grandmother, sister or aunt.

- Atypical hyperplasia (an unusual growth of cells)

- Early onset of menstruation, also known as precocious or premature sexual maturation. The average is 12-14 years of age for the first menstrual period.

- Late menopause (After age 50)

- Late first pregnancy (after age 35) or never having a child

- Exogenous estrogens

- Alcohol

- Diet

- Local radiation

- Smoking or exposure to smoke

The more of these risk factors that you have, the sooner you should have breast exams including mammograms and the breast ultrasound. (Breast ultrasound is the better test for young women and for those who have exceptionally dense breast tissue.)

Early detection is the key to breast cancer survival and over 80% of all breast cancers are found by women themselves during their routine breast self exams. If the cancer can be found before it gets a chance to spread, there is not only good survival rates but also a chance that the breast itself can be saved. Signs that should be immediately noted:

- Unusual nipple discharge (or any discharge at all in non-lactating women)

- Nipple changes of any kind, including drawing inward or pointing in a new direction.

- Scaling, crusting or oozing of the nipple or the areola

- Any change in the contour of the breast or in the symmetry of the breasts.

- Any lump, mass or thickening that is felt that may persist after the menstrual cycle has ended.

- Any dimpling of the skin

- Anything out of the ordinary for your own breasts.

Many women have lumpy breasts by nature, a condition known as polycystic breasts. Some women have lumps that come and go with their menstrual cycle. However, if you have a lump that is unusual for you or does not go as it normally would, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Most breast cancer begins with a painless lump (80%) with most of these found in the upper, outer area of the breast (Source: MacLean, ed. 1993). Other locations for breast cancer:

- The inner, upper area of the breast – 14% of the time.

- The nipple, areola area – 22%,

- The outer, lower area of the breast – 7%

- The inner, lower area – 2%.

Once the lump starts growing, it may start to cause pain and will spread typically to the lymph nodes in the armpit and will also start causing some of the breast and nipple pain as well as skin changes that are difficult if not impossible to ignore.

Testing for the breast cancer will start with mammography or the breast ultrasound and may provide a clear view of the lump or mass. In other cases it may not be as clear as the doctor would like or may not be something that is easily diagnosed. It may not always be clear whether the mass is fibroid, fluid or solid in nature, depending on its location and its positioning.

The secondary step in diagnosis is the needle aspiration where a small needle is guided into the mass or lump and some of its cells or fluid is drawn out. A breast cyst will collapse immediately while a more solid mass will remain intact. The doctor may examine the fluid or cells that are retrieved and be able to make a diagnosis from it. In other cases however, the need for a biopsy may be necessary- either by a slightly larger needle or by making an incision and removing a piece of the mass that way.

Exact treatment for breast cancer is different for each person and will depend on the stage of the cancer, how much tissue is involved and the prognosis. In cases where the cancer has not spread at all or has only spread a small bit, the tumor and its surrounding tissue will be all that is removed by surgery, sparing the remaining breast tissue. However, if the cancer has spread, the entire breast is typically removed. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are usually specified after the surgery, either singly or in combination. Following the end of chemo or radiation, breast reconstruction surgery can be performed to care for the scar tissues and may include using a breast implant.

Nutritional Needs and Supplements

No matter what kind of treatment is being used for the breast cancer, the need for good nutrition remains the same. First, the body is going to need all of its strength to fight back after the surgery. Second, the body is going to go through a whole new battle when the chemo or radiation starts. During both treatments, nausea, vomiting and extreme fatigue can be major problems. There is also a huge possibility that the woman will be fighting signs of depression as well, further hampering her ability or desire to eat a healthy diet. The less food that she is taking in the more likely it is that she will face dehydration and malnutrition which can cause electrolyte imbalances and heart irregularities.

Using supplements can help because they are not as difficult as actually eating solid foods and can be quickly and easily absorbed by the body. Most doctors will suggest a particular type of supplement, however whey protein is one of the most commonly recommended.

Whey protein is quickly and easily absorbed by the body, tends to be higher in much needed calories and can help boost the immune system in several ways. Increasing the amount of overall protein in the diet, especially using non-animal and low fat supplements is key to staying strong enough to fight the battle against breast cancer. Whey protein has been shown to slow the growth of some types of tumors in several studies, as well.

Another protein supplement option, the liquid protein shot might be even simpler to use, because it is much smaller and can be consumed in less than three seconds.