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The Pro-Active Protocol
For Breast Cancer Prevention
The Protocol is divided into seven steps
that help you prevent cancer by intervening
at the point where it can begin.
Here are the 7 Steps of Prevention:
1. Protect and Repair DNA
Damaged DNA is one of the root causes of cancer. Becoming aware of how your diet and lifestyle contribute to the problem or contribute to the solution will help you to make choices that protect and repair your DNA, thus reducing your risk for cancer.
Many things may damage your DNA, including chemical exposure, radiation, viruses and free radicals. Trans-fats, (which damage cell membranes and exposes DNA to further insults), can contribute to this process also. Although cells have built-in mechanisms for protection and repair, too many of these destructive elements occurring simultaneously can overwhelm the body's ability to correct the problems as they arise. Usually one or two breaks in a DNA strand, a fairly common occurrence, won't amount to a cancerous mutation. But multiple breaks, combined with the de-activation of the body's repair mechanisms spells trouble. P-53 is a cancer suppression gene whose activity is encouraged by certain substances, such as natural progesterone and Indol-3-Carbinol. There are tumor-activating genes on DNA strands as well. These can be activated by chemicals from outside the body or even substances from within the body, like the estrogen metabolite 16-alpha hydroxyestrone. This "bad estrogen" can stimulate cancer-activating genes. Indol-3-Carbinol and Calcium-D-Glucarate are natural substances that work in the liver to convert estrogen from its harmful metabolites into the helpful and protective 2-alpha hydroxyestrone form. The ratio between these two estrogen metabolites is very important if you are concerned about breast cancer. Scientifically, it is referred to as the 2:16 ratio and it indicates the ratio of good (2 alpha) with bad (16 alpha) estrogen metabolites. You want MORE of the 2 alpha-hydroxyestrone. There is a simple saliva or urine test you can do at home (called the 2:16 Estrogen Ratio Test) that will help you determine your risk of hormone related cancers, such as breast, uterine, ovary and prostate. To lower your risk of cancer, you want to have more of the 2-alphas and less of the 16 alphas.
To learn more about what you can do to protect and repair your DNA, click here.
2. Balance Hormones
Hormones can play a huge role in the development of breast and reproductive cancers. They can also make your life hell if they are even slightly askew. Diet and lifestyle are powerful moderators of hormonal responses. When it comes to hormones, it is all about balance. Choosing to lead a more balanced life with adequate time for rest and self-nurturing, is a good place to start making positive changes and improving the status of your hormones. Knowing how we influence our hormones and how our hormones influence each other is the next step in preventing breast cancer.
Click here to learn more about hormones and what you can do to keep them in balance.
3. Boost Immune Function
A strong immune system is at the core of good health. Our resistance to all disease is dependent on it. A healthy immune system is usually capable of destroying those mutant cells, which signal the beginning of tumor growth. But there are many things that can weaken our immune systems and allow cancers to grow unchecked. It is imperative that we do everything in our power to make sure our immune system is as robust as possible in order to lower our risk for cancer.
Click here to read more about the immune system and what you can do to improve the status of yours!
4. Detoxification and Elimination
One of the factors that is often overlooked in the protection and restoration of health is an assessment of our "toxic load". Are you eating a lot of highly processed, boxed, canned, microwaved and refined foods full of chemicals whose names you find it difficult to pronounce? Or does your diet consist mainly of fresh, organic whole foods?
Do you live in an area where there is substantial air pollution, or in a remote rural area? A critical examination of your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is a good place to start. Look carefully at the products (edible or not) that you use regularly. Unfortunately, there are probably many potential carcinogens lurking in every cupboard of your home! Making the choice to reduce your exposure to these harmful substances can really help to reduce your risk for cancer. Another important component of this critical examination is to check out what's going on in your mouth. Old silver fillings can (and do) leach mercury into the body causing heavy metal poisoning. Other heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic can find their way into the human body and cause slow poisoning and symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. Getting those old amalgams replaced with non-toxic materials is a huge step toward better health.
The next step is to begin a gentle detoxification program to help the body eliminate accumulated toxins. This can be very restorative to the entire system and many people report remarkable improvements in their health immediately following a good detoxification regimen.
To find out more about detoxification and what you can do to eliminate these poisons from your system, click here.
5. Nutrition & Digestion
Nutrition is really the foundation of the Pro-Active Protocol. "Let food be your medicine", as Hippocrates said. However, if we have a deficient digestive system, as many do, especially by mid-life and after, our body will not be able to absorb the benefit of the nutrients we offer it. Insufficient stomach acids or a deficiency of friendly bacteria in the intestines can result in poor digestion, gas, bloating, irritable bowel, leaky gut, food "allergies", constipation, diarrhea and related problems. Restoring and maintaining a healthy digestive tract is essential to ensure that the nutrients we consume will be fully utilized by the body.
To learn more about how you can support your own nutrition and digestive needs, click here!
6. Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal part of our body's immune response. It can be a healthy, temporary protective mechanism. But when it becomes a chronic condition, caused by daily stress, poor diet, or other factors, it becomes a very dangerous time bomb. Inflammation is implicated in cardio-vascular disease, autoimmune disorders, arthritis and cancer. Plenty of good reasons to get it under control! Both diet and lifestyle can exert a powerful healing effect on inflammation, helping to prevent cancer and other disabling diseases.
Click here to learn more about adopting an anti-inflammation lifestyle!
7. Lifestyle Changes: Stress Reduction, Exercise, Regular Health Monitoring
Lifestyle changes should probably be at the top of the list because it is actually what the Protocol is all about!
Your attitude about yourself is the most important thing to examine. Are you kind with yourself? Do you encourage and love yourself? Or do you beat yourself up for minor infractions? Do you take time to take care of yourself? Or are you always putting other peoples needs ahead of our own? To really make lasting, positive changes in your health and wellbeing, you must love and nurture yourself and make your health and your happiness your priority. This is YOUR LIFE! Its up to you to take responsibility and to make it what you want it to be!
Click here to learn more about lifestyle improvements that can reduce your risk for breast cancer or help you to beat it.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and Drug Administration. This Product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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