Early Detection of Oestrogen Dominance a Key Factor

The message today is a somewhat sobering one, but never the less, imperative I believe. It's a bit longer than usual, but worth reading. I urge you to share this information with friends and family and loved ones, as it's an important & timely issue.

Studies around the world continue to clearly point to excess levels of oestrogen in the body, as being a prime underlying factor in the ever increasing incidence of breast cancer and a number of factors all contribute to this problem.

If you can relate to the stressful existence many women are living these days, in this brave new world of the independent 21st century, then this blog has a message for YOU!

The constant juggling of trying to balance work, home life, relationships and children leaves little time for self-care. 'Having it all', is taking a huge toll!

Stress triggers primal chemical reactions in the body, originally designed to respond to 'fight or flight' situations. Adrenaline, released by the adrenal glands, supports our heart to beat faster, our blood pressure to rise, and muscles to tense up in readiness. Breathing quickens and blood sugar levels rise for immediate access to instant energy. It puts the body in a state of alert.

The adrenals also release another hormone called cortisol to assist this natural physiological reaction to stress. This hormone also increases heart rate, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and constricts the arteries. Cortisol is longer acting in the body than adrenaline.

This inbuilt prehistoric response to stress was never designed to occur over long periods of time. Cortisol has an extremely negative effect on the body when too much is produced throughout the day in response to stress.

The problem is, in our modern lives, factors such as job pressures and emotional ups and downs sometimes cause us to live in a state of stress for lengthy periods.

What I believe is being overlooked, is the long term effect of chronic stress, which can often manifest in many different ways - affecting sleep, creating anxiety or depression and leaving people with deep fatigue.

Chronic stress leads to adrenal exhaustion which often leads to poor blood sugar control, cravings and binge eating, as you try to pick up your energy levels. Weight gain often accompanies the picture, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

As hormones become more unbalanced, the thyroid becomes increasingly sluggish, exacerbating further weight gain and poor liver function. Infertility is increasingly becoming an issue for women of child bearing age. Conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and polycystic ovarian syndrome are now major health care concerns, affecting millions of women worldwide. Symptoms may include heavy periods, clotting, breakthrough bleeding, period pain and PMS.

They are having an extremely debilitating effect on physical and emotional health and quality of life for increasing numbers of women, young and old. I see many women every week, in my clinic, who fit this category.

Another contributing factor why women today are affected by more oestrogen, is simply because they are having more periods per lifetime. The average age of a woman’s first period is becoming progressively earlier, the average age of menopause is getting later, and women are having fewer children. Not to mention the effects of long term contraceptive use, and my absolute pet hate, the latest rage pill, which stops periods altogether!

Oestrogen excess does not occur because the ovaries make too much oestrogen; on the contrary, there is usually a problem with availability and clearance of oestrogen. A body that is adrenally exhausted cannot properly regulate the excretion of oestrogen.

Our hormone system is a delicate and complex system of glands and hormones which control development, growth, reproduction and behaviour. When the balance is disrupted by oestrogen excess, many hormonal problems can occur.

Increased incidences of infertility problems, miscarriage, breast and uterine cancer have all been linked to oestrogen dominance.

Combine this with environmental factors, now an everyday reality of life, and you have a recipe for a global health crisis, that in truth is unfolding around us right NOW!

Environmental oestrogens are everywhere – in our food and water, the air we breathe, the substances we touch, our homes, our cars and even in medicines we are given for our ‘health’. It has been said we are ‘swimming in a sea of oestrogen’. This is bad news for both women and men. Oestrogen dominance is also believed to play a part in prostate cancer as well.

These environmental oestrogens come in the form of petrochemical derivatives such as herbicides and pesticides which have been sprayed on our crops, used for the plastic cups and bottles we drink from, the plastics we wrap and store our food in, the cosmetic products we apply to our bodies, and even the oestrogens that come through in drinking water recycled from our rivers.

Oestrogens from the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy are excreted in a woman's urine. They can end up in our water supply, as hormones are not removed by standard water purification treatments. Consider the implication of just that one issue ! We may filter our drinking water, but how many of us then shower or bathe every day, or sprinkle our vege gardens in unfiltered water !

Environmental oestrogens work in a variety of ways by mimicking, blocking and triggering hormonal activity. Bottom line is they throw our bodies out of balance. They are stored in body fat and have long lives which can magnify their individual effects by 100-1,000 times.

DES, a synthetic oestrogen given to mothers in pregnancy, from the late 40's to the 70's, was found in the next generation of daughters, to lead to a range of reproductive problems, infertility, immune system weakness and vaginal and cervical cancer. Studies three generations later are still continuing to find genetic links to health damage.

Every day environmental exposure to these substances affects the level and action of all hormones in our body, and we need to be aware of this NOW!

Unfortunately, much of the medical profession and the general public remain largely unaware of the effects these dangerous chemicals are exerting on our lives and the lives of animals.

So, after all that depressing information, what can we do ?

As always, being able to make an informed decision, is useful. Being aware of the BIG PICTURE is important, but being able to actually ascertain if metabolic changes are occurring in your body is even better.

Digital infrared thermography ( DITI ) is a new, non-invasive imaging procedure that utilizes infrared heat-sensing technology. It can be used to scan many different parts of the body.

Because researchers are acknowledging the importance of prevention and early detection as keys to long term breast health, breast thermography is fast becoming an important tool to add to health care regimens, around the world. Abnormalities in function of breast tissue can be detected long before a physical problem may manifest.

To perform breast thermography, a special camera equipped with heat-sensing, or infrared, technology takes pictures of the breasts and the images are sent to a computer. Multiple images are taken from several different angles in order to provide a three-dimensional result. These images are digitally processed by sophisticated equipment to create a detailed thermal map.

Because each individual has a unique ‘thermal fingerprint,’ the images help the reporting doctor to quickly establish the normal thermal state of your breasts. The images reveal whether the two breasts have the same temperature patterns and whether any areas differ from one breast to the other. Abnormalities on the infrared images, including changes in temperature, blood flow, hormone levels, or metabolic activity, may indicate current or potential for tumor growth. The necessary diagnostic steps are then taken to determine the nature of the abnormalities.

It's estimated that during a mammogram, the estimated compression weight on the breast, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, can range from several pounds to over forty pounds. In addition, research now indicates that low-dose ionising radiation collects in the breast tissue during mammograms. Unlike mammograms, thermography does not require compression of the breasts nor does the infrared scanning process involve radiation or contact with the body.

Mammograms can only detect tumors that have already developed. In comparison, breast thermography provides images of physiological changes in the breasts that may cause future tumour growth. One such abnormal thermal pattern, of oestrogen dominance, can be a 'red flag' precursor to possibly developing breast cancer. If estrogen dominance is found, hormonal levels can be balanced using natural means, and early intervention protocols implemented.

Breast thermography provides important, relevant, and necessary information about your health without exposure to radiation. This test, which compliments clinical examination and mammography ( if required ), is a valuable addition to your health care regimen. Prevention and early detection are the keys to long term breast and whole body health. By providing essential information early, breast thermography may save your life.

For further information about what preventative steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones in an ever increasingly toxic world, contact Patricia, on 61 2 6655 9400 or email info@thermalscans.com.au or visit Thermal Scans.

In Good Health

Patricia