Breast cancer is a form of cancer that has developed within the tissue of the breasts. This is caused by a mutation in the genes which helps regulate cells and keep them healthy. Usually, the cells in our bodies are replaced as old cells die, however, cancer allows the cells to keep multiplying, and this process creates a tumor.
Tumors can be benign, which means they are not cancerous or they can be malignant, which means they are cancerous. When malignant tumors are left untreated, they can continue to grow and even spread to other parts of the body. Usually, breast cancer forms in the milk ducts of the breasts known as the lobules. However, breast cancer can also appear in the fatty and connective tissues of the breast. Over time, breast cancer can spread through the breast and into the lymph nodes located in the underarm.
It is estimated that 12% or 1 in 8 women will face invasive breast cancer within her lifetime. An expected death rate due to breast cancer is approximately 40,290 women for the year of 2015. These numbers have been steadily dropping over the years and it is believed to be due to better preventative care. For those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are many life-altering decisions that will have to be made and a new consciousness about their health will be in their mind at all times. This is why many people look to natural medicines and therapies to help with their treatment of cancer. A natural super-food that has sparked the interest of those suffering from cancer is flax seed. This grain is also used for a variety of healing properties that it is known to contain.
Many people use flax seed for a variety of health benefits including:
• Possible protection against heart disease
• Lower cholesterol
• Weight loss
• Stabilized blood sugar
• Improved digestive health
• Detoxification
• Healthy hair, skin and nails
• Decrease insulin resistance and protect against diabetes
• Prevent or slow the movement of melanoma
• Excellent source of omega-3 fat for vegetarians
One of the most talked about potential cancer-fighting foods is flax seed. This grain is readily available as flour, meal, and seeds. Flax seed is an excellent source of lignans, which has a weak estrogen effect. This is important to note because when a weak estrogen substance is consumed, it can take the place of the strong estrogen effect in the breast cell’s estrogen receptors. This helps act as an anti-estrogen to help work against the hormone sensitive breast cancer.
A Canadian study has recently showed that consumption of flax seeds in postmenopausal women reduced the chance of cancer by an amazing 28% and the consumption of bread containing flax reduced the risk to 26% in both postmenopausal and premenopausal women. This shows that flax seed is a simple and natural food that can help prevent and even treat breast cancer in addition to the various other health benefits that are known as well.