The Tribune

By Dr Monique Thompson

By now I am sure that most of us are very aware that it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Truthfully, I was going to give everyone a break from all the serious topics and throw a “Break-Out Session” in here. However, in the world of serious health topics this issue of breast cancer is among the most serious for our beautiful Bahamian women. Statistics reveal that our women are affected by some of the highest rates of occurrences of breast cancer per capita, and are affected with some of the most aggressive forms. Around 45 per cent of our women are affected before the age of 50. This is a huge problem that has received international attention.

By now you would have realised that I always strive to make the information I present user friendly and practical. This week is no different because I want you to use this information (and all information I share, of course) for the betterment of your health and the health of those around you.

Here we look at some of the factors that have been known to be associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer, and simultaneously discuss what to do to prevent it. Not surprisingly, many of these things I would have expounded on in previous articles. I just wanted to mention that although what I am going to talk about is basic, it really makes a huge difference to your health so please do not take it for granted.

Being female

This is almost stating the obvious, but it is important to mention because although rare, men can develop breast cancer. US statistics reveal that breast cancer among men accounts for less than one per cent of cases per year, while some 250,000 women are affected annually. Women are affected more because breast tissue is more fully developed and more susceptible to higher circulating levels of hormones that influence the development of breast cancer.

Obesity

A 2007 study conducted by the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) estimated that obesity was responsible for four to seven percent of new cases of cancer. This percentage is on the higher end for women, which means that obesity is a bigger problem for women in regards to cancer development. Obesity leads to increased risks of developing a variety of cancers including breast, endometrial (lining of the uterus), oesophageal, pancreatic, colon, rectal and thyroid cancers. Going a step further, it was also discovered that should a person who is obese develop cancer, their chances of dying from that particular cancer increases. So far, researchers and scientists have identified several mechanisms that can account for the increased risks of obesity leading to cancer. A few of the mechanisms are that fat tissue (adipose) produces hormones like oestrogen, that make the development of cancer favourable in certain tissues like the breast; additional fat causes generalised inflammation in the body – a factor that contributes to cancer growth and development, and persons who are obese tend to have more insulin in their blood, which can promote the growth of cancerous tumours. The goal would be to achieve and maintain a normal healthy weight which is a body mass index of 18.5-24.

Sedentary lifestyle

Again I make the point that not being physically active or exercising is detrimental to one’s health. The relationship between physical activity and numerous cancers have been studied extensively. As it pertains specifically to breast cancer, the research reveals that 30 to 60 minutes per day of moderate to high-intensity physical activity is associated with a reduction in breast cancer risk. This is true for premenopausal and postmenopausal women. As a note to our adolescent females, being very physically active during your teenage years is proving to be especially protective in reducing the risk of developing cancer. So adults encourage your daughters, nieces, sisters, etcetera to join volleyball, softball, swimming, track, or soccer teams! It will be very beneficial to them in years to come.

High sugar intake

The American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention flat out tell you to limit the amount of sugar you take in because high intake indirectly leads to the development of cancer, especially those cancers that have been linked with obesity, including breast cancer.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a huge problem here in the Bahamas, and it is among the most harmful drugs. The National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen. Plainly stated, drinking alcohol causes cancer.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a standard alcoholic drink in the United States as containing 14.0 grammes (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. Generally, this one standard alcoholic drink is found in 12 ounces of beer, eight ounces of malt liquor, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof liquor. Studies have found that women who drink more than three drinks per day (three beers for example) have 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer as nondrinkers. This is a risk that our women cannot afford. Alcohol increases the risk of cancer by increasing oestrogen in the blood, which is associated with increased risk of breast cancer; it stops the body from absorbing key vitamins and minerals that protect against the development cancer such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E. Alcohol itself can contain cancer causing toxins such as asbestos, in addition to being broken into a toxin, acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and proteins.

• Dr Monique Thompson is the founder of Cornerstone Healing Institute, an integrative family medicine clinic that focuses on educating patients on healthier lifestyles, preventing & treating chronic disease. Contact 356-0083 or visit www.chibahamas.com for more information.