Risk factors that you can't do anything to change, include your gender, age, race, family history, early menstruation, or late menopause. Risk factors that you can change, include a diet high in processed foods and saturated fat with few organic fruits and vegetables, being overweight, little or no exercise, drinking alcohol on a regular basis, combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and oral contraceptives.

According to the national breast cancer foundation, INC one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 60 to 70 percent of these patients have no known risk factors, while 30 to 40 percent of patients diagnosed with breast cancer have known risk factors, many other people with known risk factors will never develop breast cancer.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the breasts have four main meridians running through them, the kidney meridian, the stomach meridian, the spleen/pancreas meridian, and the gallbladder meridian. Breast cancer can be attributed to congestions, blockages, and insufficient energy flowing through these meridians. Each of these meridians influences the breast tissue along their particular pathway.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor originating from the cells in the breast. There are many different types of breast cancer which include: Noninvasive or In situ breast cancer refers to cancer that remains within the milk ducts or lobules of the breast. Invasive breast cancer starts in a milk duct before spreading to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Inflammatory breast cancer spreads from the milk ducts to lymph vessels and can present as breast infection, although this is an uncommon type of breast cancer. Paget’s disease of the nipple, where cancer cells grow in and around the nipple. Early detection is valuable in the treatment of breast cancer and may increase treatment options and success rates. Breast cancer can sometimes be detected by doing a self-examination, or by going for a mammogram especially in women that are over 45 years old. Not all breast lumps are cancerous, more than 80% turn out to be benign.

Some symptoms to be aware of that might indicate breast cancer, could be a lump in the breast or armpit, discharge from the nipple, an inverted nipple, dimpling of the skin on the breast or change in skin texture, breast pain or nipple pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, or a change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple.

In traditional Chinese medicine 12 paired meridians, each associated with an organ, or body system, supply vital energy to the entire body. These meridians energetically lead blood to the tissues strengthening them and making the cells more resilient, to damage and disease.

Metabolic waste, uric acid, and toxins that are allowed to accumulate in the body create congestions and blockages along the meridians, as well as a lack of energy supplying the meridians, due to poor quality of food, which may lead to illness and disease. These congestions can also be seen as warning signs that the meridians are not functioning properly, and therefore not supplying enough energy to those tissues and organs along their pathway.

For example, the stomach meridians pass over the nipples, and so abnormalities in the breast tissue along that section of the breast could be attributed to blockages along the stomach meridian pathway, associated with too much acidity in the body.

The stomach meridian plays a key role as it penetrates all other major organs in the body. Disorder along the stomach meridian could be an underlying cause of strain on the other organs and their meridians and should always be considered.

Warning signs or congestions along the stomach meridian pathway could be acid reflux, irritable bowel disease, problems with the ovaries and acne along the jawline, Eating whole, organic foods, eliminating processed foods and sugar, while avoiding stimulants like coffee, could help to balance the body's ph levels.

Organic apple cider vinegar could help the stomach and reduce acidity in the body, by stimulating the production of necessary gastric juices and enzymes, needed for digestion in the stomach.

By strengthening the stomach meridian, the body is better able to bring itself back into balance.

The spleen/pancreas meridians pass the lateral sides of the breasts. Abnormalities on the lateral sides of the breasts could be attributed to blockages or weakness along the spleen/pancreas meridian pathway, associated with blood sugar balance in the body.

Warning signs or congestions along the spleen/pancreas meridian could be menstrual abnormalities and problems with the uterus, more serious conditions like thyroid problems, heart palpitation, and diabetes, could also develop.

Looking at nutrition, to better balance blood sugar, could strengthen the spleen/pancreas meridian.

The kidney meridians pass along the medial sides of the nipples. Abnormalities here could be attributed to blockages or weakness along the kidney meridians, which are associated with sodium/potassium and fluid balances in the body.

Warning signs or congestions along the kidney meridian could be complaints like lung congestions, dorsal knee pains, medial calf pains, and swollen ankles.

Drinking the right kinds of fluids, that help the kidneys to maintain the right sodium/potassium balance is vital. All liquids coming into the body need to be filtered by the kidneys, too much fluid or fluid loaded with sugar and toxins can overburden the kidneys leading to a uric acid build-up in the body. Opt for vegetable juices, herbal teas, and water.

The gallbladder meridian runs along the lateral side of the body and chest abnormalities in this area would indicate a blockage or weakness along the gallbladder meridian. The gallbladder is responsible for bile production which is necessary for the digestion of fats, and for the elimination of waste from the liver. The gallbladder meridian can be affected by the quality of food put into the body.

Warning signs or congestions along the gallbladder meridian may be migraines, hormonal problems, shoulder pain, nausea, pain in the hip region, and lateral knee pains.

A diet high in fat, and acid-causing foods, as well as overeating, can strain the gallbladder.

Once the problem meridian has been identified, steps can be taken to address imbalances along that meridian, through lifestyle and diet. The meridians can be stimulated through acupuncture or therapeutic reflexology, to clear blockages and get rid of toxins, which will help the body to balance and heal itself.

- Chantal Victor -