Each year, over 200,000 American women develop breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. About one women in eight will develop the disease at some time in her life, but the prognosis for women with breast cancer has been improving. A diagnosis may begin when breast cells grow out of control, forming a tumor that may spread to other parts of the body. A number of herbal remedies may help you avoid breast cancer or improve the outcome should you develop the disease. Consult your doctor to determine if using these remedies is appropriate for your situation.
Diindolylmethane
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage contain compounds metabolized to diindolylmethane, or DIM, a natural substance that causes growth arrest and death in cancer cells. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, says that DIM also inhibits growth of blood vessels in tumors and may stop cancer cells from invading healthy tissues and organs. To increase your intake of DIM, eat lots of these vegetables or consider obtaining DIM supplements from a health food store. DIM is generally safe, although it may interact with some prescription drugs.
Oldenlandia Diffusa
Oldenlandia diffusa, also called snake-needle grass, is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for hepatitis and to combat tumors. It has properties that make it a possible anti-cancer and chemopreventive agent, according to MSKCC, which says that oldenlandia may cause death of cancer cells and stimulate the immune system to destroy malignant tumor cells. The herb is available from Asian specialty or health food stores as a tea or in capsule form. It is considered safe and has no known interactions with any drugs.
Flax Seed
Flax seed contains phytoestrogenic compounds called lignans that may block development of breast cancer or improve the outcome for cancer patients. A laboratory study published in 2002 by in the journal "Nutrition and Cancer" by J. Chen and colleagues indicates that flax seed inhibits growth and spread of breast cancer cells. MSKCC also says that flax seed may have chemo-protective effects because it causes production of an inactive metabolite of natural estrogen, a hormone that supports growth of some breast cancers. Flax seed may be obtained from health food stores and is considered safe, although some people may develop an allergic reaction or experience mild digestive upset.
Scutellaria Barbata
Scutellaria barbata, also called barbat skullcap or ban zhi lian, is an herb found in Korea and China. It is used traditionally to treat infections, hepatitis and tumors. The herb contains compounds called flavonoids that may give it anti-cancer properties, according to MSKCC, which says that it alters gene expression in cancer cells and causes their death. In a phase I trial with an extract of the herb, reported in the September 2007 issue of "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment," some breast cancer patients who received the extract had regression of their tumors. Although the herb is considered safe, avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer Overview
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Scutallaria Barbata
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Diindolylmethane
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Oldenlandia Diffusa
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Flaxseed
- PubMed: "Dietary Flaxseed Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Growth," Chen, J. et al. "Nutrition Cancer," 2002
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