By: Dr. Thomas Incledon
With Triple Negative Breast Cancer there are some risk factors over which, unfortunately, women have no control. These include race, age, and genetics.
African American and Latina women are three times more likely to develop Triple Negative Breast Cancer than Caucasian women. For many years, the biological correlation was unknown. Recently, a molecule called nKIFC1 was discovered; it was found to have a higher occurrence in African American and Latina women. Researchers believe it may be connected to Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Additional research and tests may uncover a way to attack this molecule or reduce its occurrence. There are also two non-biological reasons that Triple Negative Breast Cancer may occur more commonly in these populations: higher than normal obesity rates and lower socio-economic status, which can be a barrier to receiving regular and quality healthcare.
Women under 40 and those with the presence of the BRCA1 gene are also more likely to develop Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
There are additional risk factors for Triple Negative Breast Cancer that women can control. It is important to be aware of these, especially if you fall into a segment that is predisposed because of race, age, or genetics.
- Obesity: In the United States, approximately 30 percent of the population in every state is obese, which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. As fat cells get bigger, they produce inflammatory molecules that can negatively affect health, and increase the risk of cancer. Inflammation can play a key role in cancer development and progression; tumors often start at a site of inflammation. Cancer cells can also use the immune system, which is triggered by infection and inflammation, to move throughout the body. Dr. Tom Incledon, Founder & CEO of Causenta, has a simple rule to follow regarding weight gain: If you’re getting fatter, move more.
- Alcohol Intake: The amount of alcohol you drink can contribute to an increased rate of developing cancer overall. While researchers are not sure of the exact connection, we do know that excessive alcohol intake throws off the body’s metabolic process of breaking down glucose and fat, causing the body to store these substances differently. Both excess fat and sugar are known to play a role in cancer development. “Having a glass of red wine with a meal is ok,” says Incledon. “But, drinking without food and in larger quantities can be detrimental to your overall health.”
- Sleep: “Many people underestimate the positive effects of a good night’s sleep,” says Incledon. In addition to helping you feel good, it can also reduce inflammation in the body.
- Stay Hydrated: Another way to decrease inflammation is to stay properly hydrated.
- Eat Healthy and Exercise: While this goes hand-in-hand with preventing obesity, it is more than just not gaining excessive amounts of fat. When Incledon talks about being healthy, he urges people to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, which contain important phytonutrients. He also recommends doing some sort of active movement at least 30 minutes every day.
To understand more about your risk factors and personalized treatment options for Triple Negative Breast Cancer with Causenta, schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas is the founder and CEO of Causenta Wellness, and the Causenta Cancer Treatment Center in Arizona. From working with NFL, MLB, MMA, World Class athletes and even the White House, his reputation of personalized medicine and cutting-edge technologies has put him on the map, caring for some of the most powerful people in the world, making him one of the most sought-after healthcare professionals of all time.