Benign Breast Lumps

A 38 year old woman presents with benign breast lumps.
PMS and very light menstrual periods.
She is slightly underweight.
Her diet is poor due to continual dieting.

Benign breast disorders are described as aberrations of normal breast development and involution (ANDI). Fibroadenomas usually grow to 1 to 1.5 cm and remain static, regressing at menopause. Fibroadenomas are hormonally responsive, and lactate during pregnancy. These account for about 12% of palpable breast masses. Fibroadenomas increase the risk of future breast cancer by double. (Bone, 2005:50-51)

The main treatment is Vitex because of it effect on ovarian function. Herbs for growths include Thuja and Echinacea. Oestrogen promoting herbs such as false unicorn and Paeonia as this is often a hormone based issue. Due to the increased risk of breast cancer, phytoestrogens and oestrogenic lignans should be increased. In addition, the stress needs to be addressed so herbs for the nervous system would be included.

Hormone profile including, LH, FSH, E2, Progesterone & Prolactin levels. .Liver function, kidney function, Iron profile, full blood count including white blood cell count, ESR & platelet count. Cholesterol & lipid profile, glucose levels and an Iron profile due to the possible anaemia from reduced protein intake. The patient would be asked to take particular note of which date the period was due to ascertain which phase of the menstrual cycle she was in.

Dose -5mL 3 times daily

Chaste tree Vitex agnus-castus L
Chaste tree is indicated for its effects on amenorrhea, PMS, and Prolactin levels. (Bone, 2005:3)
Prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary is inhibited by dopamine (Mills & Bone, 2000:329)

Paeonia Paeonia lactiflora
Paeonia may be beneficial it may normalise oestrogen to progesterone ratios and ovulation frequency. (Bone, 2005:51)

Korean ginseng Panax ginseng
Korean ginseng would be indicated for its effects as an adaptogenic, tonic, and cancer prevention. Traditionally Korean ginseng has been used to improve mental and physical performance. (Bone, 2005:126)

Passion flower Passiflora incarnata
Passion flower would be indicated for its effects as an anxiolytic. Traditionally it has been used for nervous symptoms due to menstrual disturbances. (Bone, 2005,112-114)

Other herbs which may be of use would include Poke root Phytolacca decandra L, dose would be very small at between 0.15-0.7 mL of a 1:5 tincture per day. Poke root has traditionally been used for glandular swellings, mammary glands, and breast cancer. It is recommended for 6 months only. (Mills & Bone, 2000:515-518) Due to toxicity, it would be advised to use it in a cycle on one month on and one month off.
It may be appropriate to use herbs, which would improve appetite Gentian Gentiana lutea has traditionally been used for poor appetite. (Bone, 2005:22)

This diet is low in fat, cholesterol, protein, and highly refined carbohydrates, but high in complex carbohydrates and fibre. Pritikin advocated an intake of 5% to 10% of energy from fat, 10% to 15% from protein, and the remaining 80% as carbohydrates (specifically, complex carbohydrates). Pritikin thought that eating large amounts of fat causes damage to body tissues by depriving them of oxygen, raises serum cholesterol and uric acid levels, and impedes carbohydrate metabolism causing insulin resistance. Meat and fish are limited to four ounces per day, and most foods selected are plant-based, high-fibre foods that are low in "energy density.” Barnard and colleagues suggested that the short-term and long-term health benefits, was weight loss and increased physical activity. (Anderson et al, 2000: 578-590)

It would be recommended that a normal whole food diet be established. A soy milk smoothie would be included. A normal diet would include 5 serves of raw vegetables, 4 serves of fruit, daily, and increasing the intake of grains. Increase daily protein intake to normal (a serve of meat the size of your palm). 3 red meat meals per week, 1 chicken, and 2 to 3 fish meals per week.

Research has indicated that cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale may play a role in prevention of breast cancer.

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Soy may also play a role due to phytoestrogens. “For breast cancer, I3C is being investigated in prevention clinical trials based on experimental and animal studies, showing that it reduces the level of the oestrogen metabolite C16 {alpha}-hydroxyesterone (16 {alpha}-OHE1), which stimulates estrogen and DNA damage in mammary epithelial cells.” (Greenwald, 2004:3). This document also noted Vitamin A and E

Bone K. 2005 Foundations of Herbal Medicine, HS 429 Study Guide, Armidale, N.S.W,

Mills S & Bone K, 2000, Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, London.

James W. Anderson, MD, FACN, Elizabeth C. Konz, MS, RD and David J. A. Jenkins, PhD, MD, FACN, Health Advantages and Disadvantages of Weight-Reducing Diets: A Computer Analysis and Critical Review Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 19, No. 5, 578-590 (2000)

Bone K. 2005 Foundations of Herbal Medicine, HS 424 Study Guide, Armidale, N.S.W,

Bone K. 2005 Foundations of Herbal Medicine, HS 417 Study Guide, Armidale, N.S.W,

Peter Greenwald, Clinical Trials in Cancer Prevention: Current Results and Perspectives for the Future, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, 2004