Breast Cancer

Is breast cancer preventable?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. It is also one of the most preventable cancers.

As of 2012, there were nearly 1.7 million new cases representing approximately 12% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women (The Open University). According to WebMD, 80% of all breast cancer cases are ER+, which means the cancer cells grow in response to the hormone oestrogen. In simpler terms, too much oestrogen in the body causes breast cancer in up to 80% of all breast cancer recorded cases.

Did you know that the countries with the highest breast cancer rates are higher-income westernised countries such as the US, UK, other Western Europe countries and Australia?

So why is this? Is it because screening for breast cancer is more easily accessible in these countries? Yes, it probably is, but if 80% of the cause of breast cancer is known to be related to an increase of oestrogen in the body, what causes this? Many people would just put the problem down to hormones and believe that there is nothing that they can do, but did you know that certain lifestyle choices can increase the amount of oestrogen the female body is exposed to?

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a tumorous growth in the breast tissue that can be fatal if not discovered in time. Cancer is caused by DNA mutations and when breast cancer is hereditary these mutations are passed to offspring from parents where cancer will take it’s time to grow. There are two different types of breast cancer. Hereditary cancer is very serious, because it is a gene mutation that is passed down to offspring. The cancer will slowly grow usually presenting itself around ages 25-30 years old. At this time it could be fatal if not caused early enough. Most hereditary breast cancer will result in a mastectomy.

The other type of breast cancer is what is known as ER Positive breast cancer, which is caused when there is too much oestrogen in the body. The hormone receptors of the breast cells signal growth, but when cancerous these receptors tell the cancer cells to grow much quickly causing a tumour.

What causes oestrogen positive breast cancer?

As previously mentioned, breast cancer can develop if the breasts are exposed to too much oestrogen. Here are some of the lifestyle choices that can cause over-exposure to oestrogen.

Combined contraceptive pill and oestrogen-only contraceptive pill

There are some links between taking a combined/oestrogen-only contraceptive pill and breast cancer. Taking extra oestrogen alters the balance of natural hormone production, therefore exposing the body to more oestrogen that it should. According to the NHS, “overall use of any combined pill in the past year was associated with a 50% increased risk of developing breast cancer, compared with never using the combined pill or using it more than one year ago. High-strength pills more than doubled risk, but these are no longer prescribed in the UK.” <1>

Not ever having a baby or breastfeeding

When you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your oestrogen levels are reduced, therefore you have less exposure to the hormone oestrogen.

Being overweight or obese

If you are obese, then your oestrogen levels are much lower, but if you continue your life in this way, then when you get to menopause, being overweight causes more oestrogen to be produced.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Having HRT for more than a year can increase your exposure to oestrogen and therefore increase your risk.

Eating too many oestrogen rich foods

Natural oestrogen is found in many plant-based foods such as soy, tofu and some seeds. If you eat too many of these, then you are naturally increasing your oestrogen levels. Be very aware also that many supermarket meats are pumped full of hormones, oestradiol being one of them (oestradiol is a steroid hormone, a strong natural oestrogen used for animal growth).

It’s important to understand this is about prevention.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, then you must clearly seek treatment. However, there are also some natural ways you can help to reduce your over-exposure to oestrogen before the event. Having this information will hopefully help you to consider how you can protect yourself from this disease.

If you are or have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, then I’d highly recommend eating more plant-based foods, avoiding oestrogen rich foods, as well as sourcing your meat produce from local farmers rather than supermarket. Taking care of your gut health is also important, whilst it cannot prevent cancer it can help keep your immune system strong and your body functioning all round.

The chart opposite shows an average diversity score before and after bone broth. As you can see there was an overall average increase before and after bone broth for 4 weeks.

This chart shows us the average number of species in 32 dogs before and after 4 weeks of bone broth. Again you can see there was an increase taking the average number of species to nearly 500 which is considered better for dogs. Lower than 400 species can show as digestive problems in your dog.

The chart on the right shows the average helicobacter making up the total % of the canine gut microbiome. Anything above 1% can show as digestive discomfort and inflammation.

As you can see that after 4 weeks of bone broth, the average total % of the canines on the study fell to 1.36%

The chart on the left shows the average Clostridium making up the total % of the canine gut microbiome. Anything above 0.5% can show as gastrointestinal disorders.

After only 4 weeks of bone broth, the average total % of Clostridium in canines on the study fell to 1.50%

This % is still above normal levels, but the question must be would broth for a longer time reduce this further?

The chart on the right shows the average Bifidobacterium making up the total % of the canine gut microbiome. Anything below 1-2% can lower the immune system, disrupt nutrient absorption, and cause inflammation. Above 1-2% and the gut improves in function and can have a positive improvement on the canine overall wellbeing.

After only 4 weeks of bone broth, the average total % of Bifidobacterium in canines rose from an alarming less 0.54% to an incredible 2.33% putting all dogs in a better gut health position when it comes to beneficial bacteria.

Dr Carol Hughes Microbiologist - Biome4Pets

"We analysed the microbiome and chose three important species (genus level) of bacteria. There are multiple other beneficial changes to the microbial community but these three were chosen because two are commonly associated with gastric discomfort/disease/diarrhoea and the third is associated with good health. Helicobacter associated with leaky gut, gut wall integrity and itchiness in dogs. Clostridium sensu stricto, and a species of bacteria associated with good gut/ overall health and immune response Bifidobacteria. We have seen remarkable results with bone broth and this is because of the high amino acid count in the bone broth, which seems to behave as a prebiotic feeding the good bacteria."

Rachel Down Founder | Managing Director | BSc Health Science Yr 2 Student - Boil and Broth. 

“We’re thrilled to see scientific evidence supporting the quality of our bone broths. My personal health journey began seven years ago, when I reversed a chronic condition in just 12 weeks and lost six stone over two years. This experience sparked my passion for bone broth’s science—so much so that I even pursued a degree. When I met Carol, I suggested this study as a way to demonstrate our products' true benefits. The results have been fascinating, especially as many of the dogs had skin issues, which have since improved with bone broth supplementation. We’re excited not only for what this means for broth but also for our brand. We believe in our products so deeply that we were willing to put them to the test—how many brands can say that?”

Anna Webb - Canine Nutritionist and Behaviour Expert

“It has been so exciting to confirm that bone broth delivers so many remarkable changes to these dog’s gut microbial environments. It’s as if the broth is naturally restoring homeostasis or balance, which is the key to optimum wellness. In my study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Studies (CIVT), I learnt how this age-old remedy was noted as a fundamental ingredient for boosting the immune system, which science now concurs resides in our gut lining.  Science also now supports that the relationship between the gut and the brain are inextricably linked, so behaviourally, the addition of broth could help dogs’ cognition and learning through their life stages. Not least in their senior years, but also in the first seven weeks of their lives, when many environmental factors, including nutrition, can impact positively or negatively for a lifetime”.