Tips for Supporting Breast Health: |
Like everything else in the body, breast health should be approached holistically. Everything is connected. |
Emotional health: Breasts can be thought of as ‘nests.’ Just as a nest is a space where life is nurtured and cared for, breasts are associated with nourishment, comfort, and the ability to sustain life. They represent how women provide physical and emotional nourishment to their loved ones, especially children. |
Because of this breasts are not just biological structures but also carry deep emotional significance. In all cancer patients, there is an emotional component at play, and for breast cancer patients, it is common for women to experience intense stress - especially over a loved one. Making peace with her current situation and relationships is one of the most important things a woman can do for her breast health. |
Hormone balance & progesterone levels: Hormone testing or supplementation can be an effective prevention and treatment tool for breast cancer. All hormones work in the body together, they are always dancing in sync. When one falls out of balance, it can have a cascade of effects. For breast cancer in particular, I believe in managing thyroid, progesterone, and estrogen levels. Our entire lifestyle, diet, emotional health, etc. impacts our hormones – it requires some dedication and effort to achieve balance. For those looking for support, again, Raena offers natural solutions or at-home hormone testing. |
Nutrition: Although it seems counterintuitive to many health messages, avoiding seed oils (canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, etc.), flax, soy, seeds, and nuts is important for breast health. These foods contain high levels of inflammatory fats and have estrogenic effects in the body. I encourage patients to stick to traditional fats like butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. As always nutrient density is key! When possible, avoid eating or drinking out of plastic. Eat high quality. Eating is dressing for the job you want – eat like a queen because you are a queen |
Lymphatic drainage: Breasts contain lymph nodes and are a crucial part of the lymphatic system, which acts like the body’s detox network. It doesn’t have its own pump (like the heart for blood circulation), so it relies on movement, such as exercise or gentle massage, to keep the fluid flowing. |
In the breasts, this drainage is critical because they contain fatty tissue, which can easily store toxins. Progesterone also travels through the lymph system to target tissues, so a free-flowing lymph system is essential for healthy progesterone levels. Daily self massage, dry brushing, wearing loose-fitting clothes - especially bras, frequent exercise, warm baths, good posture, etc., are all really helpful for keeping breasts healthy. |
|