Breast Pain in Perimenopause

Natural Tips for Relief & Healthy Breasts

Lignans

Lignans are plant-based estrogens called phytochemicals (plant-produced chemicals). This term has come to mean specific plant chemicals believed to provide protection from cancer and other health benefits. The richest source of lignans is flax seed (containing up to 800 times more than any other plant). In addition, flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids, as well as lignans, that may help reduce symptoms of menopause, protect against breast cancer, and prevent heart disease.

Research has found a correlation between the amount of lignans excreted (as in the urine) and much lower cancer rates. As for breast cancer, here is some information from Barleans, the premier producer of flax products:

"The lignans (found in the flaxseed particulate of the shell hull) have the ability to normalize estrogen metabolism and remove the excess toxic estrogens thought to fuel breast cancer."

Flax may hold many other benefits for women, including alleviating perimenopausal hot flashes and possessing antibacterial and antiviral activity.

Get a Mammogram

This is still the gold standard of tests to detect breast cancer early, which greatly increases cure. While there are new techniques coming to the forefront, there are still questions about their efficacy. Getting a mammogram from a reputable center using state-of-the-art equipment is the best thing you can do for your breast health.

An article on study results in the Lancet from BUPA, a U.K-based global health and care organization with members in nearly 190 countries states:

A team led by Laszlo Tabar from Falun Central Hospital in Sweden compared breast cancer mortality rates in two Swedish counties 20 years before and after screening was introduced in 1978. Women between 40 and 54 were screened every 18 months; older women were screened every two years. Included in the analysis were 210,000 women aged between 20 and 69 years old who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The results were published in The Lancet.

They discovered that women aged between 40 and 69 who received screening had a 44 per cent reduced risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those in the same age group who were diagnosed before the introduction of screening. For women who were not screened during the period after national screening was introduced, the reduced risk was 16 per cent. When the results for women aged 40 to 49 were looked at separately, the reduction in mortality was 48 per cent for those who were screened and 19 per cent for those not screened.

...Lead researcher Lazlo Tabar commented that, "Taking account of potential biases, changes in clinical practice and changes in the incidence of breast cancer, mammography screening is contributing to substantial reductions in breast cancer mortality in these two counties."

...Mammography is currently the best method of picking up very early breast cancer. It isn't foolproof and, just because you've had a normal mammogram it doesn't guarantee you will not get breast cancer, but it makes it much less likely.”
Dr. Peter Mace, head of effectiveness and quality, BUPA Wellness

Cut the caffeine!

A study conducted at Duke University Medical Center found that limiting caffeine was an effective way to curb breast pain. After a year in which 113 women cut down on their caffeine consumption, 61% of the women in the study reported their symptoms were better. Read more about this study here.

Bras are your friend.

Silly though you may feel at first, wearing a comfortable bra that supports the weight of your breasts 24 hours a day will make you a lot more comfortable. Wearing a stretched out bra or one that is the wrong size can also contribute to your pain. Get fitted for a good supporting daytime bra, and perhaps a sports bra for overnight.

Fat's gotta go.

Again, this has to do with balancing fatty acids in your body. Keep your fat ingestion to no more than 20 percent of your total daily calories.

Breast Pain in Perimenopause

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