Every October, pink ribbons appear, signaling the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Rather than just being aware, let’s discuss some of the nutritional and lifestyle choices that contribute to cancer and the steps you can take to prevent it.

Last week, I talked about the menopause grift.

This month, there’s the breast cancer grift.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation has the right intention in raising awareness about breast cancer.

Only 21% of the money they raise goes to research, while their CEO takes a salary of over $700,000.

The products they put pink ribbons on more often than not contain ingredients that can drive breast cancer, including those found in Kentucky Fried Chicken buckets, candles, makeup, and perfumes, to name a few.

Since the 1980’s breast cancer rates have risen by 44%.

Often, the headlines tell us that doctors are baffled by the increase in cancer rates, especially among young people.

Really?

Look at the way we’re living.

70% of the food we eat is ultra processed food like substances.

We’re awash in chemicals that disrupt our delicate hormonal balance.

These chemicals are estrogenic, suppressing thyroid function and slowing our metabolism.

This creates an imbalance that pushes us into estrogen dominance.

We must address the terrain that allows cells to become cancerous in the first place.

Here are some of the causes:

• Low vitamin D levels and lack of sunlight
• Chronic stress
• Poor gut health- your gut is made up of trillions of bacteria, where your immune system lives
• Alcohol - causes oxidative stress and impaired liver function
• Liver health - impacts estrogen metabolism
• Poor sleep
• Trauma
• Poor nutrition
• Toxic skincare and home care products

Here are some ways you can support your health:

• Get out in sunlight every day within 90 minutes of waking- it will help to set your sleep/wake cycle and support your body in producing vitamin D.  
• Find small ways to manage your stress daily - deep breaths, walking in nature, journaling, taking a bath, sitting quietly, or phoning a friend - find what works best for you. 
• Minimize your alcohol consumption - it disrupts your REM sleep, makes menopause symptoms worse, and it’s not good for your liver - find a delicious mocktail you enjoy and put it in a beautiful wine glass.  
• Prioritize sleep by putting your phone and screens away at least an hour before bedtime. Create a routine or ritual to help you wind down, such as reading, listening to music, or taking a bath.  
• Emotional stressors and trauma can catch up to us in midlife.  Find a therapist to help you navigate through them - the body keeps the score, and traumatic events can leave us sick and in chronic pain.  Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy often talks about what was happening in your life in the ten years before a cancer diagnosis.  
• Prioritize your nutrition.  Eat real food.  What you eat has a profound impact on your health, especially as you age.  Work with me to understand how food can improve your health.  
• Filter your tap water.  Most tap water contains heavy metals and pesticides.  Skip the plastic bottled water.
• Remove as much plastic from your life as possible, and replace it with glass bottles and storage containers.  Do not microwave in plastic.
• Remove toxic products to clean your home and personal care items.  A new study shows that Dawn dish soap contains multiple cancer causing ingredients.  Makeup and skincare products often contain endocrine disruptors.  As we approach the holidays, we often burn candles indoors.  Most of these are full of chemicals you don’t want to be breathing in.

My philosophy is to make small changes over time.  

As you use up products, aim to replace them with better options.

If you need suggestions, simply hit reply, and I’ll be happy to provide them.

Cancer doesn’t have to be inevitable.

I’d love to support you.