Common Carcinogens and Women's Health
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Invites Women to Avoid Risks
Oct 2, 2009
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here again, and with women sporting pink bracelets and ‘can-do’ attitudes, it’s also a time to become involved in the universal movement towards women's health and vitality. During this time, women are encouraged to evaluate the health of their own breasts and learn about the everyday risks associated with breast cancer.
Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer
Aside from getting regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and sleeping the recommended 7-8 hours a night, there are other measures, which when addressed, could dramatically reduce the risk for breast cancer. Note that this advice comes not as fact, but as suggestions based upon insight from the holistic/natural health care community.
For all women, including those at high-risk for breast cancer, it is important to avoid carcinogens, or any substance or element which is known or hypothesized to cause cancer in any living agent (mice, rat, human). According to Scorecard.org, “There are many well-known examples of chemicals that can cause cancer in humans.” Some carcinogens are unavoidable because they are byproducts of an industrial society (asbestos, arsenic, chromium fumes) and are therefore present in the atmosphere. Some, however, are suspected to be in daily household cleaning products, personal beauty care products, and kitchen cookware.
Tips to Avoid Cancer-Causing Agents
- Switch to certified ‘Green’ household cleaning products, and ditch the ones with a chemical ingredient list longer than the health warnings.
- Don’t use an antiperspirant/deodorant with parabens or that are aluminum based. Both of these elements are thought to be absorbed in the skin under the arm and produce hormonal effects mimicking that of estrogen. Estrogen is known to be able to produce breast cancer cells, perhaps at elevated levels in women who use such products containing paraben or aluminum (mostly labeled "aluminum zirconium"). Check the drug facts on your antiperspirant/deodorant stick, and reference all beauty products for the presence of parabens. Opt for natural alternatives, such as Tom’s of Maine, Burt’s Bees, or Trader Joe’s brands, or any other option that asserts it lacks paraben and/or aluminum.
- Avoid plastic water bottles, and this includes the single-use water bottles in addition to soda bottles you find at the gas station. Also avoid the plastic-made reusable sports water bottles. Research has shown that these plastic water bottles leak carcinogens from the plastic into the water. Purchase a reusable stainless steel water bottle or canteen instead. For more information, visit this link on water bottle health guidelines.
- Avoid cooking in pots and pans with a Teflon coating. Because the risk of cancer associated with the repeat use and heating of Teflon for cooking is uncertain and under debate, it is best to avoid the potential risk and satisfy your culinary creativity with stainless steel cookware instead.
- Don’t buy "dirty food," or food that has not been grown organically. Whether the dozens of pesticides sprayed on a crop are carcinogenic is still being researched, but food not treated with any chemical, hormone, or inorganic substance is the safest way to ensure that you remain at low risk from toxic build-up and potentiality for cancer.
Benefits of a Balanced Lifestyle
In addition to avoiding harmful substances, women are encouraged to begin a routine of complete vitamin and mineral supplemental care. A women’s supplement is an easy way to ensure that the daily recommended amount of vitamins and minerals essential to breast health are met. In addition, avoiding stress is an important element to total body care. Stress has been discovered to be the cause of serious ailments, and a conscious effort to avoid it should thus be taken. Adopt routine meditation practices, or participate in a low impact form of exercise to stretch those tight and tired muscles, such as yoga or Pilates.
Green tea advocates are also recommending that women switch to a daily cup of caffeinated green tea as opposed to a double latte with foam. Green tea hosts high levels of polyphenols, antioxidants which are known for their ability to prevent and fight cancer cells. A diet that includes foods that are known to have high levels of antioxidants is also another way you can reduce your risk for breast cancer.
Absolute health of a woman’s breasts can only be maintained when the entire body is operating at its optimum healthy level. As is the case with any preventative effort, it is recommended that you take care of yourself first, and the health of your breasts will follow.
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