Today’s increasing advances in health research have given us more answers about breast cancer than ever before. Unfortunately, we are still seeing an increasing number of breast cancer victims in younger women.3-4 Use of oral contraception has grown widely in the past two decades among teens who are often prescribed birth control pills for acne and menstrual cramp relief. Surprising new research about birth control pills has been published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirms the artificial hormone progestin “markedly increase(s) the risk of developing breast cancer”.1 Progestin is found in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. (HRT)
Research from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Austria, have confirmed “a key molecular pathway how hormone replacement therapies and contraceptive pills can lead to breast cancer.”2 “In particular, synthetic progesterone derivatives such as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), used in millions of women for hormone replacement therapy and contraceptives “ 2 This is important news for all women, especially those who currently take birth control pills or use HRT. “ … I have to admit it completely surprised me …. Millions of women take progesterone derivatives in contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy,”2 said Penninger IMBA lead researcher.
You may be just as surprised about this news as Prof. Penninger. We hope by spreading the word and educating women we will create a new awareness about breast cancer prevention. The dangers of artificial hormones like progestin have been an ongoing concern for doctors prescribing HRT for years. It’s time we move the discussion to “The Pill”, with the release of this new information.
Understandably, women are concerned about pregnancy prevention and there are many other viable options for birth control without dangerous side effects. Throughout Europe and Scandinavia the most popular form of birth control is the non-hormonal IUD.
It’s time to set up your prevention game. Let’s get the word out about this new research. Check out these references and learn more. We all need to improve our odds to beat breast cancer at the source, because prevention is the cure.
References:
1. Nature. 2010 Nov 4;468(7320):98-102. doi: 10.1038/nature09387. Epub 2010 Sep 29. Osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL controls development of progestin-driven mammary cancer http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v468/n7320/full/nature09387.html
1A Osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL controls development of progestin-driven mammary cancer.
IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20881962
2. IMBA Press Release Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences October 22, 2012 Breast cancer advance wins $7.4m US award for Austrian Research Institute http://www.imba.oeaw.ac.at/uploads/tx_news/US_breast_cancer_grant_02.pdf
3. Mike Mitka, Author Insights: Incidence of Advanced Breast Cancer May Be Increasing in Young US Women, News@JAMA, February 26, 2013,
http://newsatjama.jama.com/2013/02/26/author-insights-incidence-of-advanced-breast-cancer-appears-to-be-increasing-in-young-us-women-2/
4. Rebecca H. Johnson, MD, et al, Incidence of Breast Cancer With Distant Involvement Among Women in the United States, 1976 to 2009, Journal of the American Medical Association, February 27, 2013, Vol. 309, NO 8.
About Cathy Margolin
Cathy Margolin is a Board Certified Acupuncturist & Herbalist in Los Angeles, California and Nationally Licensed Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, a Health and Wellness Advocate for women, Author, Speaker, health blogger and owner of Pacific Herbs a Traditional Chinese pharmaceutical grade herbal business. Cathy is the author of Stop Your Bitching…naturally! The Step By Step Guide To Balance Your Hormones and End PMS & Menstrual Cramps -- a cut-to-the-chase book on period pain and hormonal educations that's filled with crucial information, helpful guides, and a step by step plan for women to follow and change their lives by balancing their hormones. Cathy has dedicated her wellness holistic Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine practice to women's health concerns.