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Home remedies for breast cancer include garlic, broccoli, grapes, wheatgrass, green tea, lignans, soybean, vitamin D, calcium, beneficial diet, reduction in harmful diet etc. Breast cancer refers to the malignant growth of tissues of breast. These can be categorized as ductal, lobular or inflammatory on the basis of place of origin. It can be caused due to consumption of alcoholic beverages, radiation therapy of breast, first child born at an early age, old age or intake of progesterone, estrogen etc. Breast cancer can be noticed by several early symptoms some of which include regular discharge from nipple and nipples getting inverted. Home remedies for breast cancer are available, not to cure breast cancer, but to boost the immune system or kill the cancerous tissue to some extent. Still, proper life style and eating habits are recommended for longevity of breast cancer patients.
Home remedies for breast cancer are available not for treating it completely, but for decreasing its bad aspects to an extent. Breast cancer, as the name implies, is the malignant growth of tissues of breast. The uncontrolled proliferation of cells ultimately leads to death of individual if it becomes metastasized or if not removed by surgery. Breast is composed of several lobes and ducts. The lobes function in production of milk which is carried via the ducts to nipples. Breast cancer is distinguished into 3 types. These are ductal, lobular or inflammatory. Ductal originates in the ducts, while lobular in the lobes. Inflammatory breast cancer refers to those in which breasts are swelled, warm and red. Out of the three, ductal breast cancer is the most common.
As per the National Cancer Institute, following risk factors are involved in development of breast cancer:
- Old age
- First child birth at an old age
- Family history
- Prior breast treatment to radiation therapy
- Whitish colour of breasts
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Intake of progesterone and estrogen hormones
Breast cancer is characterized by following symptoms:
- Lump in the underarm region or near to breast
- Discharge from breast
- Nipples get inverted
- Change in texture or morphology of breast like scaliness, unevenness, swelling, reduction in size
- Feeling of heat
- Pain is not felt even on pressing at early stages
Though not curable, breast cancers can be prevented by certain precautionary measures and a balanced lifestyle. Once induced, it cannot be stopped, but by eating a healthy nutritious food meant for cancer patients, one can ward off incoming pathogens and activate the immune system to fight against the cancer cells. An additional dietary regimen should be followed as the patient undergoes chemical or radiation therapy that tends to show various side effects like hair loss, nausea, etc. Some of the home remedies for breast cancer are mentioned below:
- Garlic: It is well known that garlic has antibiotic properties which can be used to get rid of the infectious agents like bacteria, yeast, fungi etc. As per the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), presence of alkyl sulphur compounds makes it a good anti-cancer agent. It does so by causing the malignant cells to undergo natural cell death. It also plays role in activating the immune cells against cancerous cells. It is always better to eat garlic in raw form as oil, clove or powder instead of consuming cooked.
- Broccoli: Broccoli contains linamarase gene that when present inside cancer cells can breakdown into cyanide and effectively kill the tumor cell.
- Grapes: Grapes contain a compound called proanthocyanidins that reduces the body’s estrogen production. This leads to effective treatment of breast cancer as is evident from the clinical trials performed over several breast cancer patients. The study showed that the extract of grapes affect breast cancer tumors that are hormone sensitive. A drug called doxorubicin was also found to enhance its anti-tumor activity by consuming grapes juice or extract everyday.
- Wheatgrass: It is known to be advantageous to cancer patients. Wheatgrass taken in the form of juice or raw is shown to regress cancer cells growth as demonstrated by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre. It has the ability to enhance the immune system, and get you rid off the toxins and waste products.
- Green Tea: Prepare herbal green tea by boiling some amount in a glass of water till it reduces to half. This has anti-inflammatory properties and is very effective against breast cancer.
- Lignans: Lignans are present in seeds of sunflower, cashews, strawberries, flaxseed, and peanuts. These compounds prevent estrogen dependent tumors by slowing down their rate of progression. Any of these items can be incorporated in the daily diet chart and must be followed effectively.
- Soybean: It is one of the known diets that are considered to be must for breast cancer patients. According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, it contains phytoestrogens and several other entities that block cancerous cells from using estrogen. It also contains isoflavones needed for prevention of cancer at early stages. It can be taken either as sprouts or as cooked vegetable.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D intake has been associated with lower risk of breast cancer. This can be found in milk, eggs, cod liver oil but not in cheese and yogurt.
- Calcium: It is important to consume calcium especially in the pre-menopausal period for women. It has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk several times. Foods rich in calcium are canned salmon, orange juice, almonds and green vegetables.
- Beneficial Diet: It is good to have cucumber, carrot, banana, corn, spinach, peas and lentils by a patient suffering from cancer. These can be consumed as soup or lentils as sprouts as they are rich in protein.
- Harmful Diet: It is advised to cut down on hot dogs, beef, lamb and pork as they contain high amount of saturated fats. Eating less quantities of this red meat will reduce the risk of prostate and colon cancer.
Disclaimer: Home remedies for breast cancer mentioned here must be discussed with your doctor or physician. The website must not be held responsible for any problem arising due to negligence adopted by any of its visitor or reader.
This article is contributed by Seema Adnani
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References: National Cancer Institute, National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, clinical trials, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, MD Anderson Cancer Centre
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