Unhealthy gut makes it easier for breast cancer to spread

What Causes Breast Cancer to SPREAD?

You’d think that the TOP cancer in this country would be one that affects BOTH sexes – like lung cancer or colon cancer.

And while both of those cancers ARE way up there…

The NUMBER ONE cancer is one that predominantly targets women…

Breast cancer.

Now, it’s NOT the deadliest cancer (lung cancer holds that dubious honor)…

But breast cancer is a top contender… KILLING more than 43,000 American women each year.

It turns deadly when a malignancy metastasizes (or spreads) from the breast to other parts of the body, like the liver, brain or bone…

And that secondary tumor often quickly turns LETHAL.

Scientists have been trying to figure out why breast cancer metastasizes in some women… but NOT in others.

Well, a new study may have discovered a clue – NOT in the breast… but in a DIFFERENT part of the body.

A BAD Gut Feeling

You may think you know all of your neighbors… but you have about 100 trillion companions that live even closer…

Right inside your belly.

See, your body contains trillions of bacteria, viruses, yeast, and fungi that make up your gut microbiome.

And the microbiome plays a KEY role in fighting disease and keeping you healthy.

While most of the critters living inside it are “good guys,” there are bad bugs lurking around that can WRECK your health.

And when you add things like poor diet, antibiotics, and aging, it can tip the balance in their favor.

That overgrowth of bad bacteria is called dysbiosis – essentially, an unhealthy and inflammatory gut.

Dysbiosis is linked to a long list of chronic conditions and diseases… from obesity, to diabetes, to mental health issues and more.

And a recent mouse study found that a disrupted gut microbiome triggers changes in normal breast tissue that makes it EASIER for cancer to spread.

Researchers found that dysbiosis reprograms important immune cells in healthy breast tissue – called mast cells – in mice that DON’T have cancer.

In other words, an unhealthy gut “sets the stage” for cancer cells to spread – BEFORE a tumor shows up.

But when a breast tumor DOES develop, those tissue changes facilitate the spread of cancer cells to distant organs.

More studies are needed to investigate the effects of an unhealthy gut on human breast tissue… as well as if these findings could help identify breast cancer patients who have a high risk for metastasis.

In the meantime…

Go With Your Gut

Friend, a healthy gut is key to a healthy YOU.

One way to support gut health is by taking probiotics – healthy bacteria that stimulate the growth of other beneficial organisms and support a robust immune system.

I recommend a multi-strain probiotic supplement that contains both the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains.

You can also find probiotics in fermented foods, like yogurt, sauerkraut, miso and kefir.

While you’re at it, be sure to fill your plate with fiber rich foods every day. Fiber helps feed, balance and protect your gut microbiome by increasing friendly bacteria.

Good choices include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, apples, chicory, dandelion greens... along with non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and cauliflower.

Source:

“Unhealthy gut linked to breast cancer spread, recurrence.” Gutnews, September 26, 2022.

(gutnews.com/unhealthy-gut-breast-cancer)