LUMPS: As we age, breasts have more fat, less dense tissue. The increased fat stores toxins. Increased sensitivity to excess estrogen stimulates breast tissue. As milk duct is over-stimulated, it expands, over dilates! It balloons and becomes a cyst, which is filled with fluids. If you don't resolve the problem, it turns to gel, becomes semi-solid, can become fibrous, feels squishy and rounded. Feels like a pea or marble. Some are non-malignant. Get the fluid checked to see if its cancerous! Fibro-adnoma is a benign gland filled with fibrous tissue. Can be as big as lemons. Its a congested milk duct or gland.

BREAST EXAMS -Go to a naturopathic doctor, nurse or midwife to learn how to check your breasts thoroughly. Look for new or changed lumps from collarbone to armpits to ribs! Get checked 1/2" diameter lumps, if lump changes position, if it doesn't disappear in a few months! Do a visual exam first - cancer sucks skin in like an "orange peel". Lumps can be swollen lymph node due to illness. If it feels "fixed" or hard, get it checked! Do a surface exam. Use 3 fingers flat. Can go in a "wheel" or "spiral". Start at nipple and work all the way around. Can go in rows. Start at center and go up & down like spokes or rows all the way out. Get familiar with how your breasts feel, normal lumps and glands.

MAMMOGRAMS - are RADIATION treatments, which are known to cause DNA damage to cells. They may reveal dense tissue, but can not always tell if there's cancer (biopsies can). They may be inaccurate, and often a series of 2-4 x-rays may be needed. Done routinely, they may increase your risks. Unless you have a family history, wait until post-menopausal and ONLY if significant changes or symptoms occur.

MASTECTOMIES - You need frequent monitoring (every few months), not a mastectomy! Mastectomy's do not necessarily improve our survival rate of breast cancer! The cancer can return, but then it does not have soft tissue to adhere to, but the harder chest wall, where it can not easily be removed. When a doctor says "Wait and see" - herbalists like to "Wait and DO!" It takes 100 days for 1 cancer cell to divide into 2. Another 100 days for it to divide to 4. It takes 100 billion cells for a 1 cm. lump. (can take 6-9 years). A popular theory is that we ALL have 100's of thousands of cancer cells each day which a healthy immune system can normalize. Use nutritional and herbal support ( for your immune system and liver!), exercise, and hot compresses.

NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS- Eliminate all caffeine products, all hops and beer. Eliminate alcohol consumption (breast tissue is very sensitive to alcohol, also impairs liver for proper hormone regulation). Reduce all dairy and animal products, synthetic and refined foods, excess carbohydrates (starches). Eat whole foods in their natural state, not processed, dehydrated, or micro-waved.

SUPPLEMENTS: Vitamin A - 10,000 IU daily for one or two months only. Beta-carotene - 25,000 units daily. Vitamin E - (tocopherol) 1000 IU daily. Increase Zinc, Vit. C, and all Gamma-linolenic acids (take Evening Primrose oil or Flax Seed Oil) Food is your BEST source for vitamins, or liquids (juices and herbs), not tablets. Include three colors of food on your plate for variety of nutrients!

EXERCISES- Exercises for upper chest 15-20 min. daily, according to your body type and preference, such as swimming, dance, yoga, stretching, breath work, walking while swinging arms while breathing deeply. Breathe OUT your cancer! Breathe more mindfully, not shallow. Obese women are more likely to get breast cancer. Exercise reduces excess fat.

HERBAL THERAPY - Support the liver and cleanse! Milk Thistle will repair liver function. Balance the hormones with Vitex! Lowers excess estrogen levels and increases progesterone. Sarsaparilla- is a good blood cleanser, alterative, safe for long term use. Increases immune function, hormone balance, lymphatic circulation, and normalizes body function. Calendula is a bitter, lymph tonic, anti-viral, and diuretic. Eat Violet leaves and flowers as a blood cleanser, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer herb. Pau D'arco has tumor inhibiting qualities. Melissa (Lemon Balm, makes a nice bath or tea!) soothes the digestive system and calms the nerves, also anti-depressant. "Easiac" tea, a folk cancer remedy made from Burdock, Sheep Sorrel, Slippery Elm, and Turkey Rhubarb, can be drunk regularly, great mixed with Pau D'arco! Astragalus is a deep immune enhancing tonic.

Or eat Shitake Mushrooms regularly to build the immune system. (A special combination can be prepared for you at Crystal Garden Herbs)

EXTERNAL HERBAL THERAPIES- There are several options. Choose one that appeals to you the most or try a couple of different things, just be consistent! Enjoy it and laugh as you experiment and make a mess!

Ginger Compresses - Ginger increases circulation, relieves pain, and is anti-inflammatory. Place a handful of fresh, grated ginger root in a cheesecloth or dried ginger in a muslin bag. Soak in 1 gal. of very hot water and squeeze out the ginger juice. Dip a cotton hand towel into the ginger water, wring out tightly and apply hot to the whole breast area. A hot water bottle or clean dry towel can be placed over it to retain the heat. Re-dip and apply again until the skin becomes red. Do this daily for a month before re-evaluating progress.

Hot Castor Oil Compresses - The castor oil helps to dissolve fibroids, tumors and toxins, very powerful! Heat 8 oz. castor oil in a small saucepan (careful about spills to avoid burns or grease fire). I add several drops of essential oils to relieve depression, uplift your spirits, and make you feel sensual and feminine. Pour oil mixture into the center of a large flannel cloth and fold over once or twice to hold oil. Place over breast area and use a hot water bottle over it to keep it warm for at least 40 minutes. Do this 3-4 times a week. Re-use the oil by storing right in the pan, covered. Reuse the same oily flannel or towels.

Poke Compresses- Poke is an excellent lymphatic drainer! Excellent for mastitis, swollen lymph glands. 1/4-1/2 oz. of poke extract may be applied to a warm cloth and applied over breast area for 4 hours or overnight. You can use 1/2 to 2 oz. dried poke root or fresh if available to simmer in 8 oz. water for 20 minutes. Again, dip your cloth in and apply. Use this nightly for up to one month before re-evaluating progress.

We can take responsibility for our bodies, listen to its needs, and nurture ourselves with fragrant teas, baths, compresses, and eat healthful foods and juices. Get back to a healthy way of living and feeling as nature has intended. Leave all the artificial and toxic stuff behind. Enjoy your body as soft and lovely as it should be. Become a WISE WOMAN and learn to trust your intuition and nurturing self! Educate yourself about all of your options, and seek support and comfort from your sister friends!

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