 Many women are choosing to treat their breast cancer in a holistic manner. This may be done with or without using concurrent standard western medical treatments for breast cancer. In some cases’ women are shunning treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and using only alternative or holistic approaches. In other cases, women are using both to increase their chances to cure and eliminate their breast cancer forever.
Whichever treatments are used, the woman who is choosing should spend time thinking out her goal and intentions, the risk, hazards and benefits of each of these forms. As far as we are concerned, both western and holistic treatment approaches can be used together and in almost all situations, they will support and reinforce the benefits of the other.
It is our belief that healing is not a process of one treatment approach over another. It is not about western medicine being better or worse, holistic or alternative approaches being better or worse, it is what will work, what is needed to cure, eliminate, resolve and free the woman from the illness that is so desperately trying to communicate to her that she has an unresolved conflict that needs to be dealt with and solved.
It is my belief that virtually all illnesses, including cancers, are an intelligent communication’s from the individual’s body (their body-mind) which is trying to communicate to that individual that he or she has one or more unresolved conflicts which the body-mind believes and desires must be resolved. Since body’s cannot speak in words, they communicate in the only language they can use, Body Symptoms Language (BSL), physical, mental, emotional and spiritual signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms are the clues the bod-mind sends up to the individual trying to get him or her to understand what needs to be done. These signs and symptoms are intelligent clues, which when one understands how the body-mind works, make great sense and can point us to the conflict or conflict and help us resolve them.
In this article I have surveyed the medical, holistic and alternative medical literature and complied an over view of common treatments which are generally felt to be effective and efficacious. It is likely that there are many practitioners that have their own “formula” or “approach” to treating breast cancer. In this article we are not offering a singular approach, rather as just suggested an overview of many approaches which are commonly used and felt to have meaningful benefit in treating breast cancer. In a series of future articles, we will offer more information regarding our BSL approach and how we believe breast cancer can be cured and eliminated entirely. In the mean time if you wish more information on my beliefs regarding healing go to www. IHealedMySelf.Com there you will find a long series of articles regarding the basic necessary to understand healing illness versus simply treating illness.
Non-Medicinal Treatments
Physical Exercise — One of the more important factors associated with an increased risk for breast cancer is lack of adequate physical activity. Increase your physical activity by least 30 minutes a day. Exercise reduces blood sugar and it also stimulates the immune system, if should also be a positive affirmation of your intention to maintain your wellness and protecting yourself against cancer, obesity, heart disease and premature aging.
Constipation — Excess estrogen produced by ovaries is ultimately sent to the bowels to be eliminated in your feces, if however, your bowel transit time is long, it can be reabsorbed. Constipation is caused by a combination of factors, including too little fiber your diet, not drinking enough water(at least 6 to 8, 8oz glasses of water daily), too little physical activity (discussed above) and a deficiency of magnesium in your diet. Include magnesium 500-1000 mg /day to your supplement regime and constipation will no longer be a factor.
Cigarette Smoking — Stop smoking and do it now. Smoking brings carcinogens into your body this increases your risk for cancer, If you need help talk with your doctor.
Prescription Drug Use — Review all prescription medication you are currently using with your doctor, if you need them make sure there are no alternatives that have a lower likelihood of increasing your risk of breast cancer. Women who took diethylstilbestrol (DES) or who use synthetic estrogens and/or synthetic progestins may have an increased risk for breast cancer. If you are using Premarin or Provera you should be highly suspect and you should stop or change to bio-identical hormone therapy. At least one study has suggested that repeated or long-term use of some antibiotics such as Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Flagyl (metronidazole), Garamycin (gentamicin), Grisovin (griseofulvin), and certain Tetracyclines may increase your risk of breast cancer. Fortunately or unfortunately, other studied shave not confirmed this premise. Spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone) is a blood pressure medicine that is sometimes prescribed for hormonal imbalances and facial hair growth in women. It causes tumors in rats.
Although several studies have looked at low-dose aspirin as a protection against breast cancer none have not shown any lower risk of among aspirin users,. Other studies examined the protective effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and they have shown a significant reduction in risk for regular and prolonged users of these drugs.
Hormonal Imbalance — Talk with your doctor if you are using synthetic estrogen (Premarin or others) or synthetic Progestins (Provera especially). Switch to bio-identical hormone therapy or stop entirely.
Household and Other Toxic Chemicals — Watch what you buy and bring into your home and what you breath in. If you work with chemicals be sure you wear proper safety equipment and proper precautions and use adequate protection. Read labels and research ingredients.
Avoiding Excessive Alcohol Consumption — Alcohol on occasion is rarely harmful unless you drink to the point of intoxication or excess. The amount one has to drink to reach excess is different for everyone. More then one or two mixed drinks can begin to undermine the ability of your liver, and hence your immune system, to function normally. Daily use for a long period of time can undermine it permanently. Various studies suggest various amounts of alcohol can increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Whether this is because of the alcohol or the use of alcohol demonstrates a psychological problem that is triggering the breast cancer is still unknown. In our section on Emotions and Body Symptom Language below, we will discuss this issue in greater detail.
Avoid Stress — There appears to be a clear path from certain types of stresses to breast cancer. Stress reduction can help lower your risk of all types of cancer and many illnesses. Stress undermines adrenal function and ultimately the entire immune system. Once again, we will discuss this issue in greater detail in our section on Emotions and Body Symptom Language. Stress management can include journaling, decreasing environmental stress, improved emotional expression, and breathing and relaxation exercises. A simple way for you to decrease your stress is to attend a local yoga class, or use a meditation or yoga, audio or video tape, from your local library. For more information on Stress, Stress Related-Disorders and Stress Reduction, click here.
Detoxification Programs — It may be valuable to eliminate or significantly decrease toxins and heavy metals stored in your body. Toxins such as mercury, lead arsenic, cadmium entered into your body over the years are now stored and play havoc with your immune system. This detoxification is best done as intravenous chelation using EDTA. For more information on Chelation click here.
Unproven Treatments
Alkalizing Your Blood — It is likely that you will read in some books and articles about the benefits of alkalizing your blood. These books may tell you that a healthy pH balance, the ratio of alkalinity to acidity in the body, is crucial to being cancer-free. They will tell you that cancer best thrives in acidic environments and is unable to survive in alkaline environment. They ill likely tell you that you can best accomplish this by eating foods that are rich in alkalizing properties such as green vegetables, beans, spices, herbs, seeds and nuts. Also, as stated above, that reducing your consumption of alcohol, coffee, meat, fish, poultry and eggs. Some will suggest the purchase of a machine that will turn tap water into alkalized water. You can measure your pH levels with litmus strips to be sure your body is more alkaline than acidic. While all of this sound great, there is still no scientific evidence to prove that it is effective. If you do not go to extremes, however, it is likely that it cannot hurt you. If you want, try it and see what happens.
Go Bra-Less — Once again some books and articles are telling women to go bra-less. They are suggesting that bras either cause or increase the risk of breast cancer. They may suggest that if you cannot go bra-less that you should at least limit the number of hours you wear a bra each day. There appear to be two main theories as to why your risk is increased: 1. Bras restrict the flow of lymph within breast tissue which hinders the breast's natural cleansing process, or 2. Wearing a bra raises the temperature of your breasts hence increasing the risk of breast cancer. Several studies have actually shown some suggestion that wearing a bra for long periods of time could actually increase your risk of breast cancer. Some authors suggest that there is proof in that women in Fiji who don't wear bras have almost no incidence of breast cancer. A Harvard study found that women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 likelihood of developing breast cancer compared to women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day and has a much lower risk of developing breast cancer. These are interesting but not quite enough evidence to prove a relationship without disproving other possible reasons. In the end the simplest solution to this question is, if you don’t want or need to wear a bra, then simply don’t wear one.
Holistic Religious, Spiritual and Emotional Treatments
Spiritual Beliefs — Many studies have demonstrated that a strong spiritual affiliation and practice is good for your overall health and well-being. This may suggest that you would have to belong to a specific religion or religious group, however, this is not necessarily true. Simply having clear spiritual beliefs can work as effectively as belonging to a specific church, mosque or synagogue or coven. What is important is not feeling alone and having a sense of what life is about and who you are and a sense of belonging. Scientific studies have demonstrated that there are great positive effects from prayer or meditation on prevention and healing. Prayer can sometimes work over great distances. Studies of prayer groups praying for people they have never met, sometimes hundreds, even thousands, of miles away, have shown that the person to whom the prayer is directed can and do benefit greatly. Within a defined spiritual group, there area also often mechanism of connecting people with health issues to others who can help them. Whether the help is in the form of general support, including: food preparation, running errand, taking care of children or pets, financial help or simply friendship, all of these can reduce stress, relieve burdens and increase the sick persons will to live, desire to heal, and intent to overcome the illness process.
Regular Self-Breast Examinations — Another way that women can manage their own breast health is to perform regular self-breast examinations. When consistently performed at the same time each month they can help you to find abnormalities early and prevent waiting too long for treatment. You should learn to be familiar with your breast and understanding what you are doing and why you are doing it, and of course what you are looking for and finding. Charting and mapping any changes in your breasts can be helpful. Having a skilled holistic practitioner is essential, someone who will not rush you into surgery and will help you understand what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Breast self-examinations are not limited to any age population. Young women benefit from performing self breast exams as it put them in charge of their body. Getting to know your breasts and their unique contours and anatomy will help you to keep knowledgeable about your breasts for the future. You should consult with a trusted holistic practitioner regarding your options for breast cancer screening, the specific method and frequency of screening and you still should have regular clinical breast examinations. For more information on Self-Breast Exams and a free Breast Exam Record Form to chart your exams click here.
Other Forms of Healing and Treatment
Other branches of the healing arts and alternative medicine have potential treatments that can help prevent and heal breast cancer. Whether through stress reduction, body energy, body mechanics, mental, spiritual treatments or anything else always consult specialists who is well-trained, qualified to represent their discipline and competent to initiate and manage the desired treatment program. Whether naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, Ayurvedic Medicine or others make sure you carefully select your practitioner based on qualification and not just claims.
Medical Versus Alternative Treatment Programs
Today, whether you agree with it or not, legally medical treatment is still the standard of the community here in the US. Use your medical doctor(s) to help you to determine your options and to assist you by following your progress. If you chose to use one or more alternative practitioners, make sure that they communicate with your medical doctors and that you have an agreed upon plan to take absolutely no risks that you do not fully understand and are not wholeheartedly, willing and able to take. Make sure you do nothing without being fully informed of its risks and benefits to you.
Herbal Preparations of Value
Drink Green Tea — Green tea apparently aids in preventing breast cancer. The polyphenols within green tea are powerful antioxidants and can actually prevent cancer cells from growing. It is recommended that you drink 1-3 cups of caffeine-free green tea each day.
Black Cohosh— This herb is typically used by herbalists to treat the side effects associated with menopause. A recent study demonstrated that extracts from Black Cohosh may stop breast cancer cells from forming.
Mistletoe Extract — complementary treatment of breast cancer patients with lectin-standardized mistletoe extract (SME) has proved to be a well tolerated tumor-destructive therapy. It is mainly used for improving quality of life and creating relapse-free intervals with various stages of already existing breast cancer. There is too little information regarding its role in preventing breast cancer to make any comments about this role at this time.
Emotions and Body Symptoms Language
In my book When Your Body Talks— Listen! I clearly outline the role of stress in creating stress-related disorders. Cancer often functions as a stress-related disorder. In this book I offer that unresolved conflicts can negatively affect the immune system not only impairing its ability to optimally function, but in some cases actually turning off or so impairing the immune system that it can allow illness to enter into the body and reduce the body’s ability to resist the invasion and protect the individual.
Unfortunately, this same situation can happen, when the invasion is generated from inside such as when cells mutate and turn into cancer cells. With a stress impaired immune system there may be few or even no natural defensive systems operating to stop, attack and kill, these cancer cells. The end result is that they are left to reproduce and increase the size of the tumor even spread because the body is unable to act against them. This same type of situation can occur when the immune system is impaired by exposure to toxic chemicals, malnutrition, radiation or effects of medications. I this case however it is generated be the woman herself when she is either unaware or aware but unable to resolve and eliminate the stressors that are undermining her immune system.
So far, what we have described above is a very generalized situation. The woman is stressed can’t fix it and because of this her immune system is negatively effected, hence increasing problems for her, possibly illness, possibly cancer, possibly no problem at all.
What if we change the variables slightly? What if there is a very specific kind of conflict causing a specific focused kind of stress? What if her body perceives this as a conflict it believes or wants her to resolve and she is not doing this? What if we consider that her body is intelligent and that it has purposes and goals (possibly in the form of mandates, a mandate to survive, a need to procreate)? What if by not resolving this conflict, she is not effectively dealing with a mandate which is commanding her, internally, to solve it at all costs? One more question, what if her intelligent body is screaming at her but she is not listening to it (as her intelligent body interprets her lack of action in not resolving the conflict) what does her body do next?
Here is a theory based on 40 years of observation: when our body-mind wants a conflict resolved to sends us messages in the form of physical signs and symptoms, I call this Body Symptom Language. For example: You sit on a tack and you get an intelligent communication from your body, a pain in your butt, which is telling you that you have just sat on a tack and it has punctured your body and possibly it is still inside your butt where it hurts. You stand up, check you butt find the tack and pull it out. A neat system of communication from your intelligent body to you to take action and solve a conflict, ‘a tack in your butt.’ If you act on it immediately, then the conflict is immediately resolved.
What if you do not act on it immediately? What if you ignore the pain in your butt? The likelihood is that you will continue to hurt, you will have difficulty sitting and over time the pain will get worse and the area punctured which still had the tack (a foreign body) in it may bleed or become infected. When it becomes infected, the pain will very likely increase in amount and intensity.
Body Symptom Language and Breast Cancer
What if breast cancer is such a cry for help from the body? What if in fact it is complex of sings and symptoms telling you, that you have an unresolved conflict, a conflict it deems important to solve and one which your intelligent body wants you to solve sooner than later? What if the breast cancer is completely curable, simply by solving, or better still, resolving this conflict? What if you are not resolving the conflict, will your body allow the cancer to grow or will it some how act on its own without instruction from you to solve the conflict?
Over the past forty years I have practiced medicine, I have seen many patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. In almost every case, whether the patient was willing to admit it or do anything about it, it was clear to me that their illness was driven by one or more unresolved conflicts. Those patients who recognized this and dealt with their conflict usually healed themselves. Those that did not may or may not have been healed by medical treatment, surgery, chemotherapy or the creation of a larger problem that caused their body to change or give up or forget about the problem that was causing their previous condition.
This subject on its own requires a book, so I will cut to the chase here. It has been my experience that the greatest number of women suffering from breast tumors and breast cancer (two entirely different problems) were women who upon questioning and working with them had conflict regarding some aspect of nurturing in their life.
To understand this better I will diverge for a moment. The breast are used to suckle and hence nurture a baby, hence they are involved in one of the very strongest mandates that operate in humans, the need to procreate, have children and help them to survive. We were once a baby and required nurturing. When a woman has a nurturing issue (feels unnurtured, abandoned, unsuccessful, inferior to name only a few nurturing issues) how does this conflict manifest itself? How does the body-mind communicate with that woman that she has a conflict that requires resolution... could it be that it somehow directs its signs, symptoms and urgent communications at her breasts? I believe so. Benign tumors represent low level conflicts which the body does not apparently consider a life or death or serious situation BUT still wants resolution. Breast cancer represents more serious conflict according to the body-mind, ones that are perceived at some level to be life or death issues that need to be resolved.
I could spend hours more talking about his topic and explaining how, why and the mechanisms that cause all of this to happen, but I can’t in this format. Instead, I suggest if you have such a conflict and recognize that it needs resolution work on it solve it and if you need, get help. If you already have breast cancer, ask yourself if someplace with in you, if you recognize even a spark of truth or relationship to you and what you are going through, then once again work on it, or get help. I will leave you with one last piece of information. The most common issues that usually appear to trigger breast cancer generally relate to problems with children, parenting, divorce, not finding a life mate, hurt cause by a love relationship, partner, parent, children, or very occasionally, in women who significant attachments to nurturing from things outside of what I just suggested above, or have nothing else in their life, pets or work.
I am always available to discuss this construct with anyone who wishes more information. Send me an email or set up an appointment with me at my office, let’s talk. My email address is
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and I practice at the Preventive Medicine Clinics of the Desert located 2825 Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite B-200, Palm Springs, Ca 92262 call 760-320-4292 for an appointment.
To resturn to our basic article About Breast Cancer, click here.
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