Herbs for breast cancer

Breast Cancer-Overview

This refers to a type of a cancer that originates from breast tissue. It can happen to both men and women, but it is far more common in women. Thankfully, public support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Thanks to new treatments that are being developed, to earlier detection, and a better understanding of the disease, breast cancer survival rates have increased and the number of deaths has been declining.

Symptoms of this disease include: change in the size or shape of the breast, a breast lump (that is firm and does not change in size with the menstrual cycle) or a thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue; then, changes to the skin of the breast (like redness, pitting, or dimpling), a bloody discharge from the nipple, and sometimes, breast pain.

Doctors are still not sure what causes breast cancer. The only thing that is known for sure is that it occurs when some cells start to grow out of control. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer is commonly associated with the following risk factors: sex (99% of the people that have breast cancer are women), age (women older than 60 have a greater chance to get it than young women), a family history of breast cancer, obesity, having a first child after 35, beginning one’s period before the age of 11, beginning of menopause after 55, etc.

Treatment

Based on the type of cancer that a person has, the doctor will prescribe the best course of treatment. It usually involves surgery (a lumpectomy, mastectomy, removing one or several lymph node, etc.), chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Herbs and Supplements for Breast Cancer

There are some herbs and formulas that help greatly to those that are fighting breast cancer. It is important that people who are considering using these herbs consult a doctor for possible side-effects.

1) Red wine catechins Resveratrol tablets. When taken daily (125-250 mg) they stop the growth of the tumor.2) Turmeric curcumin tablets, when taken twice a day between meals (250-500 mg), suppress genes that activate cancer.3) Astragalus capsules should be taken 3 times per day, (500- 1,000 mg) used for stopping the cancerous cells from further growing.4) Green tea catechin extract, three times a day (240 mg). It blocks estrogen receptors.5) Lentinan intramuscular injection. This should be given by a health-care provider. They are useful because they help the immune system fight off cancer.6) Cat's claw tincture. Also helps the immune system.7) Quercetin tablets, three times per day, between meals. It accelerates cancer cell death.8) Vitex capsule, tablet, or tincture. They slow down the growth of the cancer cells.9) St. John's wort capsules, 3 times a day (300 mg). It prevents the spread of cancer.10) Maitake - Maitake-D. Slows the tumor’s growth and helps the immune system in general.

Other advice

It is important that the person suffering from breast cancer does exercises regularly, eat healthy (avoiding meat, butter, lard, etc; but rather eating a lot of fruit and vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene). Women are especially advised to eat garlic and onions, and take up some activities that are thought to be relaxing, such as yoga, meditation; go to massages, etc.