As this is my first newsletter of the  year, belated Happy New Year, and my wish is that your intentions for 2010 become reality!

Recently, my significant other, Jean-Pierre, and I moved into our new (to us!) home with the help of our young adult children. As a result of this experience, I have become aware of how much I can get into doing things over and over again in the same way, creating a rather monotonous life. Moving is CHANGE big time, and it has served to shake up my daily routines to become more conscious -- a good thing!

I remember a wise person suggesting we do at least one thing in a different way every day, even something small like holding our toothbrush in the other hand. In addition, do something we have never done before at least once a month. This practice develops our ability to experience life from new perspectives, to feel more alive and aware -- something I want, and you probably do, too.

We know that appropriately administered bio-identical hormone therapy can help to decrease the risk of cancer. But when we keep an eye on some very specific risk factors, we can decrease that risk even further.

Multiple studies have addressed these issues. Our female bodies produce three major estrogens: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3). Women with breast cancer have long been shown to have higher levels of estrone. Therefore, we should keep this type of estrogen at a low level. We also know that the level of estriol in the body needs to be higher than that of both estrone and estradiol in order to lower our risk of cancer. Because the half-life of estriol is very short, it can be accurately tested only in urine (see below) and can be evaluated more clearly through the calculation of the estrogen quotient (EQ). Unlike estriol, estrone can be accurately tested via the blood.

Another way we can consider cancer risk is through the 2/16 ratio, which looks at the amount of 2-hydroxyestrogens in our body in comparison to 16 alpha-hydroxyestrogens. The 16's are pro-carcinogenic (promote cancer cells growth) and the 2's are not. Therefore, it's better to have more 2's than 16's. But a word of caution: as with all things in the body, balance is key. Too many 2's can lead to increased risk for osteoporosis.

Like estrone, 4-hydroxyestrone is another metabolite of estrogen. An elevated level of either one creates an increased risk of cancer. In fact, we really want the lowest levels of estrone and4-hydroxyestrone possible since no positive benefits from these have been found to date. On the other hand, 2-methoxyestradiol is an extremely potent anti-carcinogen, and we need as much as we can get of this one!

These special factors can not be accurately measured by blood tests and require a 24 hour urine hormone analysis to provide useful direction for strategies to lower your risks. I usually recommend that we do one of these tests within the first year of bio-identical hormone therapy, and have follow-up testing as needed.

But, even without knowing your urine lab levels, some simple strategies can be put in place to reduce your risks of cancer.

The first is to eat more vegetables from the brassica family, which are also known as cruciferous or mustard family vegetables. These include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, mustard greens, and kale. You can also increase your consumption of other beneficial foods like flaxseed and soy. These foods shift estrone toward turning into the beneficial 2-hydroxyestrone pathway that is potently anti-carcinogenic. Caution: these vegetables are not recommended in large quantities if you have a thyroid condition.

Also, take your B vitamins every day. A B-complex containing all the B's is of great value in promoting good estrogen metabolism, supporting good liver function, and stabilizing moods and brain function. Those that provide more "methyl-group donation" can be particularly helpful. These include the methylcobalamin form of B12, methyl-folate, and others.

Finally, you may consider consulting with your provider to increase estriol in your body, evaluate DHEA levels, and see if you would benefit from special detoxifiers that support good estrogen metabolism.

So, when it's time to re-check your hormone levels, let's talk about doing a urine test and see if it would give us some good direction in your care toward reducing the risk of cancer, while at the same time creating good current health.

See you at the organic broccoli counter!!

The best to you in this New Year!

Jane

Jane Kennedy
Nurse Practitioner

Gordon Medical Associates

 

www.GordonMedical.com