This entry was originally posted in 2017, written by Allison Walton. It’s been edited to reflect new information and Boketto offerings.
“I’ve often thought that breast health was something to worry about later in life. But after a diagnosis of 10 fibroids and one phyllodes tumor at the age of 27, I realized this couldn’t be further from the truth. The earlier we start to look after ourselves, and implement healthy habits, the better our chances of a healthy and disease-free future.”
After reading stories like this^ I’m reminded about the importance of prioritizing breast health and want to share pertinent bits of knowledge and practices with others.
While we’re all for raising awareness, our intention at Boketto is to also educate and inform our community — sharing information supported by fact-based evidence— on preventative measures that can be taken now to support lifestyle habits + breast health and overall well-being.
THE ROLE OF HORMONES
First and foremost, the role that hormones play in breast health can not be overstated. Breast cancer and other breast-related symptoms (such as fibroids, tumors, cystic breasts, and even tenderness and swelling related to PMS) are estrogenic, therefore taking measures to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors helps in decreasing estrogen overload (re: estrogenic breasts). Since our breasts are primarily composed of fatty tissue, they tend to store fat-soluble toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, chlorine, and parabens. Luckily, our bodies have the innate intelligence that allows our breast cells to regenerate — however, the toxins and chemicals that are absorbed directly through the skin may accumulate in our lymph nodes and glands, therefore disrupting hormone function that may lead to estrogenic diseases that cancer cells feed on.
DEODORANT MATTERS
Most deodorants contain chemicals like parabens, petrolatum, talc and aluminum. Since the skin in our armpit region is very thin, those toxic chemicals are directly absorbed into breast tissue via lymph accumulation. No thanks! Look for “free-from” deodorants like Corpus Naturals (clear stick) or Monks (spray) that does not contain the following:
- Aluminum – Changes your estrogen receptors; linked to liver, kidney and brain issues
- Carcinogens – Substances that can lead to cancer
- Parabens – Mimic estrogen in the body; cause cancer
- Phthalates – Interfere with, mimic, or block hormones
- Propylene Clycol – considered a neurotoxin; known to cause liver and kidney damage
SUPPLEMENT WITH VITAMIN D + MAGNESIUM
Studies show that women with optimal levels of Vitamin D have a lower risk of breast cancer. Yet most modern lifestyles have us spending much more time indoors, depriving us of exposure to natural sunlight — an essential source of daily Vitamin D. In that case, supplementation may be necessary to help maintain optimal levels (60-80 ng/ml). Test, don’t guess. Ask your General Practitioner or Gynecologist for your actual Vitamin D level. Don’t settle for “it’s normal” as an answer. If it’s in the suboptimal range, talk with your practitioner and come up with the best strategy for raising your levels of this important nutrient. Be prepared to take up to 50,000 IUs per week until your levels are high enough and then 1,000–5,000 IUs per day after that. (We love Cymbiotika's Vitamin D3 + K2 + CoQ10)
Another important nutrient in promoting breast health is Magnesium, however a majority of women are deficient. Magnesium supports the liver’s ability to metabolize excess estrogen, enhance Vitamin D absorption, and relax the body— especially when under heightened stress, since stress has the tendency to deplete the body of necessary nutrients and throw hormones way out of whack. For supplementation, look for Magnesium L-Threonate or Glycinate as they’re a more bioavailable form of magnesium, also Magnesium Bath Flakes and floats deliver the mineral more efficiently/effectively.
GET TO KNOW YOUR BREASTS
Using a breast massage oil and gently massaging not only helps you get familiar with your healthy breasts, but also promotes lymphatic drainage (the movement of lymph). Knowing what your breasts feel like normally will help you to detect (early) when something is awry. Lymphatic breast massage in inward and upward circular motions— slowly covering the entire chest, and arm pits— is a great baseline ritual for between visit to your Gynecologist.
While daily dry brushing is also an incredibly important daily ritual to stimulate lymphatic drainage, it’s not recommended to brush the gentle skin of the breasts. Focus instead on the other areas of the body (brushing from feet and fingertips towards the heart) and incorporate daily breast massage to specifically support lymphatic drainage and detection in the breast region. We love Redecker’s Ionic Body Brush
SAY GOODBYE TO UNDERWIRE BRAS
Let the girls breathe! Tight, ill-fitting underwire bras prevent lymphatic drainage from the breasts. If you have red marks after removing your bra, then it’s likely too tight and therefore constricting blood flow. While going braless can at first be uncomfortable for many, it’s a freeing experience for most that allows women to become comfortable and confident with the natural shape of their breasts.
CONSIDER THERMOGRAPHY IF YOU’RE AT LOW RISK OF CANCER
Depending on your health history and age, Thermography is a technology that detects thermal changes in breast tissue, and can be used to detect precursors for breast tissue anomalies that may become cancerous. Thermography does not detect cancer in its early stages. However, unlike a mammogram, a Thermogram is gentle and emits no radiation. But don’t fear the mamm… “It’s a very low dose of radiation,” Ethan Cohen, MD says. “We routinely say that it’s the same as taking an airplane across the country from Los Angeles to New York. More at: Mammography vs Thermography: What you Need to Know.