LESSON 10: Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Ovarian/Uterine Fibroids
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibrocystic breast disease, commonly called fibrocystic breasts or fibrocystic change, is a benign (noncancerous) condition in which a woman has painful lumps in her breasts. Fibrocystic breast disease isn’t dangerous, but it can be a bothersome condition because it can cause discomfort. The condition is common. Your doctor may not even refer to it as a “disease.” According to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of women will develop fibrocystic breast disease at some point in their lives. Although it isn’t dangerous to have fibrocystic breasts, this condition can make the detection of breast cancer more challenging.
What Are the Symptoms of Fibrocystic Breast Disease?
If you have fibrocystic breast disease, you may experience swelling, tenderness, pain, a thickening of tissue, or lumps in one or both breasts. You may have more swelling or lumps in one breast than the other. Your symptoms probably get worse right before your period due to hormonal changes, but you may have symptoms throughout the month. The lumps in your breasts may also change in size throughout the month.
The lumps in fibrocystic breasts are usually movable but sometimes, if there’s a lot of fibrous tissue, you won’t be able to move the lumps. You may also experience pain under your arms. Some women have a green or dark brown discharge from their nipples. See your doctor immediately if clear, red, or bloody fluid comes out of your nipple because this may be a sign of breast cancer.
Ovarian/Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system. Fibroids, also known as uterine myomas, leiomyomas, or fibromas, are firm, compact tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. It is estimated that between 20 to 50 percent of women of reproductive age have fibroids, although not all are diagnosed. Some estimates state that up to 30 to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years, although only about one-third of these fibroids are large enough to be detected by a health care provider during a physical examination.
In more than 99 percent of fibroid cases, the tumors are benign (non-cancerous). These tumors are not associated with cancer and do not increase a woman's risk for uterine cancer. They may range in size, from the size of a pea to the size of a softball or small grapefruit.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Some women who have fibroids have no symptoms, or have only mild symptoms, while other women have more severe, disruptive symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms for uterine fibroids, however, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of uterine fibroids may include:
In some cases, the heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, or the abnormal bleeding between periods, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which also requires treatment.
THE REMEDY
The remedies for both Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Ovarian/Uterline Fibroids are similar in nature.
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Possible Causes and the Remedies
Caffeine – This substance can create fibrous tissue and fill them with fluid and increase their growth. The first randomized study of a larger number of women was conducted by Virginia Ernster, M.D. 158 women eliminated all caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate) from their diets for four months, as well as caffeinated medications. She found a significant reduction in clinically palpable breast findings in the abstaining group compared with the control group, although the absolute change in the breast lumps was quite minor and considered to be of little clinical significance. Several other studies have been done, leaving us with mixed reports: three studies show no association between methylxanthines and benign breast disease, , , and two studies show a correlation with caffeine consumption.
Digestion and Elimination
Digestion and elimination are also fundamental factors involved in a more holistic approach to hormone-related health problems. Women having fewer than three bowel movements per week have a risk of fibrocystic breasts four to five times greater than women having at least one movement per day. The longer it takes food to move through the colon, the more waste products pass into the bloodstream, creating a potentially toxic physiological environment. Bacterial flora in the large intestine, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, improve the transit time of bowel toxins, as well as improving the excretion and detoxification of estrogens. Women on a vegetarian diet excrete two to three times more detoxified estrogens than women on an omnivorous diet.
Using Milk Thistle extract as well as my favorite Bupleurum extract will ensure removal of hormonal toxins from the liver.
WobenzymN: These are proteolytic enzymes that are taken on an empty stomach 2-3 times per day. The focus of taking these types of enzymes is they can target abnormal tissue and help break them down and the immune system can help remove the debris naturally. These are used with very good success in cancer treatment and would be an important addition for difficult cases of ovarian/uterine fibroids. The dose should be 5-10 tablets 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after a meal.
Fats in the Diet
Many experts recommend to women to reduce fat in the diet, but they never explain which fats to reduce. Let’s keep in mind you need to focus on eating healthy fats from coconut oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, avocadoes,walnuts which are prime examples of healthy fats that will help to remove bad fats from the body. Reducing the bad fat content of the diet to 15 percent of total calories while increasing complex carbohydrate consumption, has been shown to reduce the severity as well as reducing the actual breast swelling and nodularity in some women. Reducing the dietary bad fat intake to 20 percent of total calories also results in significant decreases in circulating estradiol in women with benign breast disease.
Keep the diet as oragnic as possible as xenoestrogens are everywhere in the diet. Going organic and focus on fruits and vegetables will do wonders for the hormonal system as well as adding iodine containing foods. Iodine can reduce the formation of fibroid cysts in either the breasts or ovaries.
For an added benefit, try the Hormonal Cleansing Protocol
The Hormonal Cleansing Protocol
Progesterone Cream for Ovarian/Uterine Fibroids
In progesterone deficient women, using a progesterone cream could be very helpful. Many women are high estrogen/low progesterone when they are diagnosed with ovarian fibroids. When using a progesterone cream, much of the progesterone cream is absorbed by the body, in time, levels reach saturation and continued progesterone cream doses result in increased blood levels of progesterone and a stronger physiological effect, resulting in less and less troublesome symptoms associated with Fibroids. Most women notice results right away, while for others it may take up to three months of progesterone cream usage.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek professional healthcare if you suspect an illness or disease.
Fibrocystic breast disease, commonly called fibrocystic breasts or fibrocystic change, is a benign (noncancerous) condition in which a woman has painful lumps in her breasts. Fibrocystic breast disease isn’t dangerous, but it can be a bothersome condition because it can cause discomfort. The condition is common. Your doctor may not even refer to it as a “disease.” According to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of women will develop fibrocystic breast disease at some point in their lives. Although it isn’t dangerous to have fibrocystic breasts, this condition can make the detection of breast cancer more challenging.
What Are the Symptoms of Fibrocystic Breast Disease?
If you have fibrocystic breast disease, you may experience swelling, tenderness, pain, a thickening of tissue, or lumps in one or both breasts. You may have more swelling or lumps in one breast than the other. Your symptoms probably get worse right before your period due to hormonal changes, but you may have symptoms throughout the month. The lumps in your breasts may also change in size throughout the month.
The lumps in fibrocystic breasts are usually movable but sometimes, if there’s a lot of fibrous tissue, you won’t be able to move the lumps. You may also experience pain under your arms. Some women have a green or dark brown discharge from their nipples. See your doctor immediately if clear, red, or bloody fluid comes out of your nipple because this may be a sign of breast cancer.
Ovarian/Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system. Fibroids, also known as uterine myomas, leiomyomas, or fibromas, are firm, compact tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. It is estimated that between 20 to 50 percent of women of reproductive age have fibroids, although not all are diagnosed. Some estimates state that up to 30 to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years, although only about one-third of these fibroids are large enough to be detected by a health care provider during a physical examination.
In more than 99 percent of fibroid cases, the tumors are benign (non-cancerous). These tumors are not associated with cancer and do not increase a woman's risk for uterine cancer. They may range in size, from the size of a pea to the size of a softball or small grapefruit.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Some women who have fibroids have no symptoms, or have only mild symptoms, while other women have more severe, disruptive symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms for uterine fibroids, however, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of uterine fibroids may include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods
- Pelvic pain (caused as the tumor presses on pelvic organs)
- Frequent urination
- Low back pain
- Pain during intercourse
In some cases, the heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, or the abnormal bleeding between periods, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which also requires treatment.
THE REMEDY
The remedies for both Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Ovarian/Uterline Fibroids are similar in nature.
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Possible Causes and the Remedies
Caffeine – This substance can create fibrous tissue and fill them with fluid and increase their growth. The first randomized study of a larger number of women was conducted by Virginia Ernster, M.D. 158 women eliminated all caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate) from their diets for four months, as well as caffeinated medications. She found a significant reduction in clinically palpable breast findings in the abstaining group compared with the control group, although the absolute change in the breast lumps was quite minor and considered to be of little clinical significance. Several other studies have been done, leaving us with mixed reports: three studies show no association between methylxanthines and benign breast disease, , , and two studies show a correlation with caffeine consumption.
- Remedy: Stop all caffeine-laden products.Take Vitamin E 400IU or 1,000IU (preferred dose if one doesn’t have high blood pressure) Also, use the Carlson Labs brand found at Vitamin Shoppe. They are the highest quality and get the one that says ‘Mixed Tocopherols’ on the label.
- Vitamin E: For more than 35 years, clinicians have used vitamin E in the medical management of benign breast disease. This practice was initially based on positive reports from small numbers of patients as far back as 1965, and in subsequent studies in 1971, 1978, and 1982. Two studies demonstrated that vitamin E is clinically useful in relieving pain and tenderness, whether cyclical or noncyclical. , The studies have been done with varying dosages: 150, 300, or 600 IU daily. In clinical practice, practitioners generally recommend from 400-800 IU of vitamin E in the form of d-alpha-tocopherol with a minimum trial period of two months.
- Evening Primrose Oil: The pain and tenderness of benign breast disease associated with “cyclic mastalgia” have been alleviated with evening primrose oil, the only one of the fatty acids to be scientifically studied in relation to fibrocystic breasts. In a study of 291 women who took three grams per day of evening primrose oil for three to six months, almost half of the 92 women with cyclic breast pain experienced improvement, compared with one-fifth of the patients who received the placebo. For those women who experienced breast pain throughout the month, 27 percent responded positively to the evening primrose oil, compared to 9 percent on the placebo. Another study of 73 women received three grams per day of evening primrose oil or placebo. After three months, pain and tenderness were significantly reduced in both cyclical and noncyclical groups, while the women who took placebo did not significantly improve.
- Milk Thistle extract: Liver function must always be addressed when there are abnormalities or imbalances in the hormonal system. Stagnant blood and old circulating hormones are notorious for causing difficult to treat hormonal problems and most doctors fail to address liver health in these cases.
- Lecithin 1200mg capsules – take 6 per day with food. This helps to remove fat from the liver as hormones are fat-soluble. The Choline and Inositol content of Lecithin are very helpful in dissolving fibrocysts in the breasts. As you can see, this is also related to liver health.
- Remedy: Calcium D-glucarate removes excess estrogen that enters the body from outside sources such as plastics, white paper products, commercially raised beef, chicken, pork and fish (organic is always best)
- Milk Thistle extract: Liver function must always be addressed when there are abnormalities or imbalances in the hormonal system. Stagnant blood and old circulating hormones are notorious for causing difficult to treat hormonal problems and most doctors fail to address liver health in these cases.
- Lecithin 1200mg capsules – take 6 per day with food. This helps to remove fat from the liver as hormones are fat-soluble. The Choline and Inositol content of Lecithin are very helpful in dissolving fibrocysts in the breasts. As you can see, this is also related to liver health.
- Iodine: It has been known for a long time that for the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine (its hormone), it requires iodine. Thyroid hormone with low or even normal thyroid function may result in improvement of fibrocystic breasts. These results suggest that iodine deficiency may be a causative factor in fibrocystic breasts. The breast has an affinity for both thyroid hormone and iodine. Without iodine, the breast tissue becomes more sensitive to estrogenic stimulation, which in turn produces microcysts high in potassium. A dose 12.5-50mg per day of Tri-Iodine or Iodine Complete can be very helpful.
Digestion and Elimination
Digestion and elimination are also fundamental factors involved in a more holistic approach to hormone-related health problems. Women having fewer than three bowel movements per week have a risk of fibrocystic breasts four to five times greater than women having at least one movement per day. The longer it takes food to move through the colon, the more waste products pass into the bloodstream, creating a potentially toxic physiological environment. Bacterial flora in the large intestine, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, improve the transit time of bowel toxins, as well as improving the excretion and detoxification of estrogens. Women on a vegetarian diet excrete two to three times more detoxified estrogens than women on an omnivorous diet.
Using Milk Thistle extract as well as my favorite Bupleurum extract will ensure removal of hormonal toxins from the liver.
WobenzymN: These are proteolytic enzymes that are taken on an empty stomach 2-3 times per day. The focus of taking these types of enzymes is they can target abnormal tissue and help break them down and the immune system can help remove the debris naturally. These are used with very good success in cancer treatment and would be an important addition for difficult cases of ovarian/uterine fibroids. The dose should be 5-10 tablets 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after a meal.
Fats in the Diet
Many experts recommend to women to reduce fat in the diet, but they never explain which fats to reduce. Let’s keep in mind you need to focus on eating healthy fats from coconut oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, avocadoes,walnuts which are prime examples of healthy fats that will help to remove bad fats from the body. Reducing the bad fat content of the diet to 15 percent of total calories while increasing complex carbohydrate consumption, has been shown to reduce the severity as well as reducing the actual breast swelling and nodularity in some women. Reducing the dietary bad fat intake to 20 percent of total calories also results in significant decreases in circulating estradiol in women with benign breast disease.
Keep the diet as oragnic as possible as xenoestrogens are everywhere in the diet. Going organic and focus on fruits and vegetables will do wonders for the hormonal system as well as adding iodine containing foods. Iodine can reduce the formation of fibroid cysts in either the breasts or ovaries.
For an added benefit, try the Hormonal Cleansing Protocol
The Hormonal Cleansing Protocol
- Bupleurum – Aids in the circulation of blood and removes stagnation from the liver
- Cayenne Pepper – Improves blood circulation.
- Milk Thistle – Removes toxins from the liver. Recirculated hormones will lead to hormonal imbalance
- Dandelion – Blood builder and liver tonic
- Myrrh - Breaks up static blood, aids tissue repair, relieves pain
- Frankincense - Invigorates blood circulation, controls bleeding, relaxes muscles, controls pain
- Chlorophyll – Removes toxins. Can be taken as a supplement, but best received from green leafy vegetablets
- Folic Acid – Improves blood and hormonal health
- Vitamin E – Improves blood, hormonal and fertility health
- Zinc – Improves immune and fertility function. Tissue healer.
Progesterone Cream for Ovarian/Uterine Fibroids
In progesterone deficient women, using a progesterone cream could be very helpful. Many women are high estrogen/low progesterone when they are diagnosed with ovarian fibroids. When using a progesterone cream, much of the progesterone cream is absorbed by the body, in time, levels reach saturation and continued progesterone cream doses result in increased blood levels of progesterone and a stronger physiological effect, resulting in less and less troublesome symptoms associated with Fibroids. Most women notice results right away, while for others it may take up to three months of progesterone cream usage.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek professional healthcare if you suspect an illness or disease.
Chef Susan Irby's Healing Recipes
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
RAW food is refreshing, crunchy and filling. In this simple and delicious recipe, Brussels sprouts are shredded using a food processor or for a finer consistency, shave them using a handheld grater. Once Brussels are shredded, place in a large mixing bowl and toss with fresh peppers, onion, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette and top with toasted cashews. The balsamic can be drizzled on top of the salad alone or mix the vinegar with equal parts olive oil, if desired.
A great salad for adding detoxifying fiber to your diet, this salad is “meaty” enough to be served as an entree or serve as a side salad. For the non-RAW food lovers, lightly steam the Brussels sprouts and add sliced grilled chicken or salmon to the recipe.
Nutritional breakdown: (served without olive oil)
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 144
Fat: 4.6g
Saturated fat: 0.9g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 36mg
Potassium: 765mg
Carbohydrates: 22.6g
Fiber: 6.7g
Sugars: 6.3g
Protein: 6.9g
This recipe provides over 27% of the RDA for fiber per serving, 246% of the RDA for vitamin C, and 43% of the RDA for vitamin A. Also great sources of magnesium, iron and vitamin B6.
Ingredients:
A great salad for adding detoxifying fiber to your diet, this salad is “meaty” enough to be served as an entree or serve as a side salad. For the non-RAW food lovers, lightly steam the Brussels sprouts and add sliced grilled chicken or salmon to the recipe.
Nutritional breakdown: (served without olive oil)
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 144
Fat: 4.6g
Saturated fat: 0.9g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 36mg
Potassium: 765mg
Carbohydrates: 22.6g
Fiber: 6.7g
Sugars: 6.3g
Protein: 6.9g
This recipe provides over 27% of the RDA for fiber per serving, 246% of the RDA for vitamin C, and 43% of the RDA for vitamin A. Also great sources of magnesium, iron and vitamin B6.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 dozen grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 ear raw corn, cut corn off the cob
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- pink Himalayan or black lava sea salt
- cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup toasted cashews
- Trim root end of Brussels sprouts.
- Place Brussels in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- (Alternatively, had shave Brussels sprouts using a handheld grater)
- Place shredded Brussels sprouts in a large mixing bowl and add yellow and red bell pepper, onion, tomato halves, and corn.
- Toss to mix well.
- Place in serving bowls and drizzle each with balsamic vinegar.
- Season with a pinch of preferred sea salt and black pepper.
- Finish with a sprinkle of cashews.
Grapefruit Fennel Avocado Salad
Give a flavorful boost to your health! This fabulous low calorie, low fat recipe is one of the healthiest around. Fat-burning grapefruit, vitamin and fiber rich fennel, and skin-glow loving avocados create a looking and feeling your best win-win in this entree or side dish recipe packed with surprisingly delicious flavor combinations.
Grapefruit, Fennel, Avocado Salad
by Chef Susan Irby
Serves 12
1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (lemon zest)
1 teaspoon grated grapefruit peel (grapefruit zest)
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 large pink grapefruit, peel and white pith removed
1 pound fennel bulbs, trimmed and sliced paper thin
2 large avocados, halved, pitted, and sliced
2 cups mixed greens
Remove the zest from one grapefruit. Use a sharp knife to cut away the peel completely, then use a paring knife to cut between the membranes to remove the fruit. Squeeze leftover juice into a separate bowl, then measure out 1/3 cup of the juice.
Whisk the first 10 ingredients together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread the greens on a large platter. Arrange fennel slices over the greens. Arrange grapefruit segments and avocado over the fennel. Drizzle salad dressing over the salad.
Grapefruit, Fennel, Avocado Salad
by Chef Susan Irby
Serves 12
1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (lemon zest)
1 teaspoon grated grapefruit peel (grapefruit zest)
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 large pink grapefruit, peel and white pith removed
1 pound fennel bulbs, trimmed and sliced paper thin
2 large avocados, halved, pitted, and sliced
2 cups mixed greens
Remove the zest from one grapefruit. Use a sharp knife to cut away the peel completely, then use a paring knife to cut between the membranes to remove the fruit. Squeeze leftover juice into a separate bowl, then measure out 1/3 cup of the juice.
Whisk the first 10 ingredients together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread the greens on a large platter. Arrange fennel slices over the greens. Arrange grapefruit segments and avocado over the fennel. Drizzle salad dressing over the salad.
Baked Egg Avocado
Avocado is a delicious, healthy fruit that is popular among frutarians.
Here, a half an avocado is slightly scooped out in the center where a whole egg is placed using an ice cream scoop. Both are then baked in a 400* oven for 12-13 minutes and then broiled until the top is lightly browned. Served with a dash of your favorite spice and topped with diced tomato, this Baked Egg Avocado is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch.
Nutrition:
Serving size: 1/2 avocado with one large egg
Calories: 240
Fat: 19.4g
Saturated fat: 5.1g
Carbohydrates: 9.1g
Protein: 10.2g
Fiber: 7.5g
Sodium: 80mg
Ingredients:
Here, a half an avocado is slightly scooped out in the center where a whole egg is placed using an ice cream scoop. Both are then baked in a 400* oven for 12-13 minutes and then broiled until the top is lightly browned. Served with a dash of your favorite spice and topped with diced tomato, this Baked Egg Avocado is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch.
Nutrition:
Serving size: 1/2 avocado with one large egg
Calories: 240
Fat: 19.4g
Saturated fat: 5.1g
Carbohydrates: 9.1g
Protein: 10.2g
Fiber: 7.5g
Sodium: 80mg
Ingredients:
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 2 large eggs
- 1 medium roma tomato, seeded and diced
- pinch of cumin, paprika, or cayenne
- squeeze of lemon, optional
- pinch of sea salt and black pepper
- Preheat oven to 400*.
- Prep avocado by slicing in half and removing the pit.
- Secure avocado by slicing a tiny straight sliver on the curved outer skin to create a flat surface.
- Slightly scoop out some of the center of the avocado in order to cradle the egg and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Crack egg in a separate small bowl.
- Using an ice cream scoop, gently scoop up egg and place in the center of the avocado.
- Bake egg avocado for 13 minutes.
- Turn heat to broil and broil for about 1 minute, 45 seconds to one minute just to brown the tops only.
- Remove from oven, place on a serving plate and top with diced tomato and a pinch of your spice of choice, salt and pepper.
- To eat, use a spoon.