October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for me, it’s personal.
Last year, I heard the words no woman ever wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.”
It was early stage, and I’m deeply grateful that after my lumpectomy and radiation, I’m now cancer-free. But that experience changed the way I look at health, especially when it comes to estrogen and how our bodies process it.
As a Functional Medicine Practitioner, I already understood the science. But going through it personally gave me a much deeper appreciation for how important it is that our hormones, especially estrogen, are metabolized and cleared properly.
When estrogen is broken down through healthy detoxification pathways in the liver, it leaves the body safely.
But if these pathways are sluggish or imbalanced, estrogens can become toxic, and that can increase risk for estrogen-dependent conditions such as breast cancer, autoimmune disease (like lupus), and even osteoporosis.
So how do we support healthy estrogen metabolism and protect our hormones?
Here’s what I recommend:
Avoid these estrogen
- Artificial sweeteners (Splenda, sucralose, Equal)
- Sugar in all forms, including “natural” ones like agave and maple syrup
- Alcohol even small amounts (just 3 glasses of wine per week can raise estrogen levels and breast cancer risk)
- Trans fats and most vegetable oils (canola, safflower, soybean, sunflower), they cause inflammation.
Support healthy estrogen metabolism with:
- Cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts. Lightly steam or cook to access indole-3-carbinol, which supports estrogen detoxification.
- Broccoli sprouts (raw), rich in sulforaphane, another powerful detox compound.
- Healthy fats, coconut oil, butter, avocados, nuts, and seeds.
- Organic foods, to minimize pesticide and xenoestrogen exposure.
Reduce exposure to Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are toxic environmental estrogens, that are also call Hormone Disruptors, or Enodcrine disruptors:
- Avoid plastics (don’t drink from plastic bottles or microwave in plastic).
- Skincare and body care, replace with non-toxic and chemical free, with no parabens, phthalates, or chemical fragrances. These chemical are “hormone disruptors” and will seep in through your skin. Curious about non-toxic skin care? Book a free Healthy Hormone Call with me below.
- Cleaning products for your home, swap out chemicals for natural products.
- Skip scented candles and dryer sheets, both release hormone-disrupting compounds.
When I work with women, we often look at hormone testing and detox pathways to get real answers about what’s going on inside.
One test I use with women is the DUTCH Test, which is a urine and saliva test designed to test the estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and the estrogen detox pathways. This test is very comprehensive, so reach out if you want to know more on how to get tested!
While I don’t diagnose or treat cancer, I work on the side of helping you get clarity on your hormones, then creating a plan for you with the right nutrition, supplements and lifestyle to support optimal health.
This isn’t about fear, it’s about empowerment. Knowing how your body handles estrogen gives you the ability to take proactive, natural steps toward prevention and balance.
AND make sure you are doing regular breast self-exams!
If this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more about testing or support for healthy estrogen metabolism, I’d love to connect.
Curious about where to start? Let’s talk about your goals, challenges, and next best steps. This free call is a no-pressure way to get clarity and support.
Click here to schedule your Free Healthy Hormone Call
Let’s keep your hormones and your whole body thriving!