Thermography Event Set for June 7th!

Join us at Seasons of Farragut for a

Thermography Event

Thursday, June 7th

10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours.

Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation, and the procedure is painless. It uses Thermography, a process of infrared technology to spot abnormalities in your breasts by measuring temperature variations.

This state-of-the-art DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging)system is able to read functional changes in the breast at the critical point when a tumor begins to receive its own blood supply – before malignant cells have a chance to spread.

According to the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), researchers have found that “an abnormal thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for the future development of breast cancer and an abnormal thermogram is ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history. While X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography show us the structure of the body, they will miss such things as active inflammation and increased blood supply as found in many illnesses. Thermogram Breast Screening has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast cancer up to eight years before mammogram can.”

 

Thermography Quick Facts:

• Thermograms are for men and women.
• 
Quick and painless.
• No exposure to radiation.
• A Thermogram can be performed without an order from a physician.
• You are welcome to bring a companion to be present at the examination.
• 
There are a limited number of appointments for this event, so make your appointment today.
• The fee for the Thermogram is $149. Additional thermograms are available for an additional cost.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (Insurance will not be filed for this procedure).

Patient Preparation before having a Thermogram:

• Do not have physical therapy or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed.
• Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test.
• Do not use lotions or liniments on the day of the test.
• Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of the test.
• Do not use deodorant on the day of the test.
• No caffeine for 2 hours prior to the test.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication or beta-blockers may affect the test results. Discuss stopping these medications with your doctor prior to doing so.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office: (865) 675-9355.

Thermography Event, March 22nd!

Join us at Seasons of Farragut for a

Thermography Event

Thursday, March 22nd

10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours.

Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation, and the procedure is painless. It uses Thermography, a process of infrared technology to spot abnormalities in your breasts by measuring temperature variations.

This state-of-the-art DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging)system is able to read functional changes in the breast at the critical point when a tumor begins to receive its own blood supply – before malignant cells have a chance to spread.

According to the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), researchers have found that “an abnormal thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for the future development of breast cancer and an abnormal thermogram is ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history. While X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography show us the structure of the body, they will miss such things as active inflammation and increased blood supply as found in many illnesses. Thermogram Breast Screening has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast cancer up to eight years before mammogram can.”

 

Thermography Quick Facts:

• Thermograms are for men and women.
• 
Quick and painless.
• No exposure to radiation.
• A Thermogram can be performed without an order from a physician.
• You are welcome to bring a companion to be present at the examination.
• 
There are a limited number of appointments for this event, so make your appointment today.
• The fee for the Thermogram is $149. Additional thermograms are available for an additional cost.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (Insurance will not be filed for this procedure).

Patient Preparation before having a Thermogram:

• Do not have physical therapy or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed.
• Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test.
• Do not use lotions or liniments on the day of the test.
• Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of the test.
• Do not use deodorant on the day of the test.
• No caffeine for 2 hours prior to the test.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication or beta-blockers may affect the test results. Discuss stopping these medications with your doctor prior to doing so.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office: (865) 675-9355.

Breast Cancer: Avoiding The Diagnosis Through Prevention

Hormone Imbalance a Contributing Factor in Breast Cancer

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) increases breast cancer. Have you read headlines like that? Or perhaps you were told that HRT caused someone’s breast cancer.

Do hormones really cause or lead to breast cancer? Think about this: every women continues to produce hormones, even after menopause. So, it cannot be that hormones in and of themselves cause cancer. Scientific evidence indicates thatsynthetic hormones and hormone imbalance do contribute to breast cancer.

The ABC’s of Estrogen.

Estrogen’s effects in the body are regulated through two different kinds of receptors: alpha and beta receptors. Estrogen-alpha receptors stimulate breast cell growth. Estrogen-beta receptors inhibit breast cell growth.

• Estradiol, the most potent estrogen, equally stimulates alpha and beta receptors = growth stable
• Estrone, the second most potent estrogen, stimulates alpha receptors 5:1 over beta receptors = pro growth
• Estriol, the weakest variety of estrogen, actually stimulates beta receptors 3:1 = growth inhibitory

The key element here is balance of hormones. Higher levels of estrone present in your body (produced by fat cells) result in more breast stimulation. Higher levels of estriol present in your body results in less breast cell stimulation and, therefore, breast protection. Estriol = Good. Estrone = Bad. If you have heard of someone developing breast cancer after starting Premarin, there’s a logical explanation for that. Guess what Premarin is loaded with? Premarin contains (48%) estrone (estrone = bad = breast cell stimulation).

Here are some more ugly facts about Premarin, also know as conjugated equine estrogen. Premarin actually decreases estrogen beta receptors. So, if you take Premarin, then you are taking high doses of estrone (estrone = bad) and decreasing your estrogen receptors that inhibit breast cell growth. In a nutshell: you are taking more of the bad estrogen and decreasing your amount of the good estrogen. This equates to a prime set up for breast cancer.  Don’t take my word for it. See the wonderful article by Kent Holtorf.

Progesterone: The Growth-Inhibitor Hormone

The confusion out there about estrogen and breast cancer is bad enough, but the confusion is even greater on the subject of progesterone.

Pregesterone is the key hormone in the second half of a woman’s cycle. Estrogen is the dominant hormone in the first half of your cycle (estrogen = growth = growth of the uterine lining to support implantation of an egg). The counteractive hormone to this growth phase is progesterone (progesterone = no growth = sloughing off of the uterine lining). It’s the amazing and fascinating way that woman was created.

Synthetic progestins, often prescribed, are NOT the same as the progesterone your body produces. Just look at the structure and you see that they are not. The one thing they do have in common is they both protect the lining of the uterus against excessive estrogen growth. But, that is where the similarities end.

While there are many differences between the two, our focus here will be on the difference in breast cancer potential. Simply stated, synthetic progestins are pro-breast cancer and bioidentical progesterone is breast protective. The Women’s Health Initiative (link) revealed a 26% increase in breast cancer as a result of taking synthetic progestin. The Nurse’s Health Study (link) found that synthetic progestins tripled breast cancer risk over that of estrogen only. The use of Provera, a synthetic progestin and component of Prempro, has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer by 800%!

The statistics for bioidentical progesterone are the opposite. Bioidentical progesterone has many positive breast benefits:

• Progesterone decreases estrogen production
• Progesterone moves estradiol to weaker estrone
• Progesterone moves estrone to inactive (sulfated) form
• Progesterone moves estrone to weakest/safest estriol
• Progesterone down-regulates estrogen receptors all together
• Progesterone activates the cancer protection gene, p53

The idea that progesterone is a safer alternative to synthetic progestins is not new at all.  As early as the early 80’s, there has been a call for safer progesterone over synthetic progestin counterparts. In 1981, nearly 30 years ago, L.D. Cowan showed that just having low progesterone levels increases the risk of premenopausal breast cancer risk 5.4 times.

Unfortunately, progesterone-deficient states, (or estrogen dominance) are very common in women today as a result of many factors: being overweight, PCOS, environmental xenoestrogens, excessive estrogen therapy, and perimenopause. Another study, showed progesterone to have a 400% decreased breast growth rate.

The Scientific Evidence Is Clear.

The evidence in the scientific literature is clear with regards to estrogens, progesterone, and hormone balance.

Bioidentical and synthetic hormones should NOT be used interchangeably. They are not equal. They have very different physiologic effects on the breast:  synthetic progestins (Provera notably) increase breast cancer (800%) and bioidentical progesterone protects against breast cancer (400% decrease breast growth rate).

Estrogen therapy is not for everybody and is definitely not a panacea drug; in fact estrogen dominance is a major contributor to breast cancer risk. But if estrogen therapy is needed, then estriol (Estriol = good) is the best.

Hormone balance is the key. Without estrogen and progesterone balance, a women’s cycles are irregular, and infertility can be a big problem.

You know, once we understand hormones and the balancing cycle between estrogen and progesterone, it makes perfect sense that imbalance would cause breast problems. And the scientific evidence indicates just that. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s time make sure your hormones are balanced and protect yourself from breast cancer.

 

Bioidentical Hormones: What Does The Scientific And Medical Evidence Say?

A young lady came into my office the other day to discuss hormones. She was a breast cancer survivor. Her concern, and rightly so, was her risk of getting breast cancer again. Since she lived in the south (our main office is in Ruston, Louisiana), she had experienced the women’s ritely passage of menopause: “the hysterectomy ceremony.”

Her question to me was: can she take hormones? Years ago, her cancer doctor had placed her on premarin, telling her that it was safe. She also was told that because she had a hysterectomy, progesterone was not necessary. Her gynecologist, in contrast, told her she couldn’t take premarin. Different doctors, different opinions.

I’m not trying to offer a third opinion here. I just want to stay focused on the evidence. That is what evidence-based medicine is all about. Unfortunately, market forces are clouding evidence-based medicine today.

In earlier posts, I’ve talked about progesterone, synthetic progestins and their polar opposite effects on a woman’s breasts. Progesterone lowers risks. Progestin increases risks. I want to get a little more specific today with some information from an outstanding review of the evidence. In Dr. Kent Holtorf January 2009 article, the Bioidentical Hormone Debate, he exhaustively reviewed 196 research articles. (If you aren’t up to reading the full article, you can read an abstract of the review.)

Here is my summary of the risks associated with synthetic progestins:

• increased breast cell growth
• increased conversion of weaker estrogens into more potent estrogens
• promoted the formation of toxic estrogen metabolites (16-hydroxyestrone)
• stimulated the conversion of inactive estrogen to active estrogen (estrone sulfate to estrone)
• had anti-apoptotic effects. (Apoptosis is programmed cell death: which is a way to control cancer growth. Anti-apoptosis means your body lacks this method of controlling cancer growth.).

Contrast this with the benefits of the natural bioidentical hormone progesterone.

• reduced breast cell growth by 400%
• downregulated estrogen receptors in the breast
• induced cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death that helps control cancer growth)
• reduced breast cell division and growth
• and in some studies, progesterone actually arrested human breast cancer cells.

After looking at nearly 200 independent studies, Dr. Kent Holtorf concluded that “Both physiological and clinical data have indicated that progesterone is associated with a diminished risk for breast cancer, compared with the increased risk associated with synthetic progestins.” Studies have shown that synthetic progestins increase the risk of breast cancer:

1. by approximately by 25% for each 5 years of use
2. by triple the risk (67%) of breast cancer when added to estrogen therapy
3. double the risk to 4% per year when compared to estrogen therapy alone.

This is in stark contrast to bio-identical progesterone, which reduces the risk of breast cancer by 10%.

“As far as the east is from the west”—that is how different the effects of progesterone and synthetic progestins are on the breast. Holtorf concludes his article in Postgraduate Medicine with statements like this: “With respect to the risk for breast cancer, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, substantial scientific and medical evidence demonstrates that bioidentical hormones are safer.”

In my next post, I’ll look at synthetic premarin versus bioidentical hormone estrogen.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Bioidentical Hormone Debate (www.postgradmed.com)
• Abstract: Are Bioidentical Hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious than Commonly Used Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy? (holtorfmed.com)
• Study: Hormone therapy caused breast cancer for thousands (cnn.com)
• New HRT for Breast Cancer Survivors (www.health.yahoo.com)
• “Prudent” Diet Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk (www.nlm.nih.gov)
• Aspirin Cuts Death Risk After Breast Cancer (www.nlm.nih.gov)
• Aspirin cuts death risk after breast cancer (www.msnbc.msn.com)
• The Smartest Cancer Advice You’ve Ever Heard (www.huffingtonpost.com)

From the Doctor’s Desk: Think Pink — It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I love the change of seasons. I particularly love fall in the South. The oppressive heat of summer gives way to crisp, cool mornings, green leaves give way to brilliant colors, and college football returns.  But, October is even more special than that. October brings attention to one of the greatest fears of women — breast cancer.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

There is much to be excited about in the arena of breast cancer treatment. Earlier detection, minimally invasive surgery, and high survival rates head the list. Credit needs to be given to the great work of many organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation and many researchers and physicians around the world.

But, breast cancer has not given up.

Let’s look specifically at the most current statistics of breast cancer. The lifetime probability of women developing breast cancer (2003-2005) is 1 in 8.  That amounts to about 185,000 women annually. Breast cancer accounts for 27% of all cancers in women. Breast cancer accounts for 15% of all cancer deaths in women and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in women — only surpassed by lung cancer.

The statistics are not all bad. Breast cancer has decreased by 27% from 1990 to 2005. Five-year breast cancer survival rates are improving — 91% for Caucasian women and 78% for African-American women.

Weight contributes to breast cancer risk. Since 1960, the percentage of obesity has risen from 16% to 36% (2006). That means that 1/3 of the female population is obese. What a disturbing trend! And even worse, the trend of breast cancer has paralleled the obesity trend in women.

Here are the current Screening Guidelines:

• Yearly mammograms starting at age 40
• Clinical breast exam every 3 years for women in their 20’s and 30’s; annually after 40
• Self breast exams should begin in early 20’s

The focus in breast cancer today is on early detection and treatment.  At Seasons, we want to focus on prevention. Why ever let the cancer develop in the first place. Follow us over the next couple of weeks as we focus on how.

From The Doctor’s Desk: The Moral of the Story? Hormone Balance Key To Reducing Breast Cancer Potential.

I have four kids that range in age from four to eleven. One of my favorite things to do is read them a great story. So today, let’s talk about some very important stories and the moral each one presents.

The story about breast cancer potential has more characters than just estrogen and progesterone as we discussed in my last post. There are other hormones that are integral characters in that story also. As you will learn in this post, the moral to the breast cancer story is balance — balance between all the hormones in your body.

The Story On Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) — Say That One Three Times Fast!

DHEA, a testosterone precursor, is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and plays a part in breast protection. DHEA plays an important role in supporting the immune system. DHEA stimulates the production of good T-helper lymphocytes-1 and their associated good cytokines: interferon, Interleukin-2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-beta. This is in contrast to the bad T-helper lymphocytes-2 and their bad cytokines. DHEA levels typically decline as we age. The decrease in DHEA levels are inversely correlated with increasing age-related disease. The strength of this correlation is yet to be determined, but the decline in immune system due to low DHEA is clear. So where does that leave DHEA? Individuals with low DHEA levels have more disease, and in this case, more breast cancer. The moral of this story? Low DHEA = a compromised immune system = breast cancer vulnerability.

Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. It is produced from the pineal gland in the brain. Low melatonin levels have been linked to breast cancer through the additional benefits of melatonin. Melatonin boosts the immune system, decreases estrogen and progesterone production, and acts as an anti-oxidant. Bench studies (non-human studies) have shown significant increase risks of breast cancer with low melatonin levels. Can you guess what happens as we age? Yes, you guessed it. Our melatonin levels fall. Ever talk to a post-menopausal woman? Most women of that age have sleep-related complaints. The moral of this story? Low melatonin = a compromised immune system = breast cancer vulnerability.

The Story on Thyroid — The Energy Hormone.

How about the thyroid hormone?  The breast cancer link reaches to all hormones and everything seems to involve the thyroid these days! T4 (or better known as synthroid, levoxy, levothryoixine) is one of the most prescribed medicines today. But T4 is a very weak thyroid hormone. In fact, the body is looking for T3, a result of T4 to T3 conversion. The problem is that many individuals don’t convert T4 to T3 well. (Very often I see patients who have been on synthroid for years without symptomatic improvement even though their “levels” are said to be “good”.  I digress. That’s a subject for another post. Let’s get back to the breast cancer link.) Low T4 and T3 levels result in low sex hormone binding globulin levels (SHBG). SHBG is how some hormones are transported. When SHBG levels drop, the free availability of the hormone it transports goes up. In this case, the levels of free estradiol go up. Remember the negative breast implications of estrogen dominance from last weeks post (link)? The moral of this story? Low thyroid = low SHBG = high estradiol = estrogen dominance = breast cancer vulnerability.

The Story On Insulin — The Sugar Storer

Finally, Insulin. Insulin’s primary role is in the storage of glucose. However, due to the large percentage of simple or refined sugars in our diet, insulin resistance has become a major epidemic, and, yes, insulin resistance increases the risk of breast cancer. How, you ask? High simple sugars leads to insulin resistance and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). As a result, estrogen dominance and excess testosterone are produced which leads to weight gain. Remember that fat cells produce even more estrogen and estrogen stimulates breast cell growth (link). Young women will start their cycles at an earlier age and thus will increase their lifetime exposure to estrogen without appropriate progesterone balance. And to make matters worse, traditional therapy with birth control pills for these young women increases the breast cancer risk even further. The moral of this story? Insulin resistance = estrogen dominance = breast cancer vulnerability.

Change The Ending Of The Story.

Just because any of these hormone deficiencies might produce in you symptoms which you recognize in this post doesn’t mean that you are going to have breast cancer. However, the sooner you seek hormone balance, the quicker you are going to lower your breast cancer vulnerability/potential. As you can see, the hormonal symphony is what is important. Balance! When your hormones are balanced, the result is a symphony, and in turn, your body is in tune and makes beautiful music. But when your hormones are not balanced, then…well, you know the ending of that story.