Two of the most exciting things about health care today are the number of options for taking control of your own health needs and the vast amount of information available about those options. Often, however, the sheer volume of data, combined with our busy lifestyles, makes it difficult to gather everything we need and to assemble it in a usable form. That's why the Five-Step Program for Breast Health was developed: for you and other busy women who want to take care of their breasts and who deserve to have the best informational tools within easy reach. The Five-Step Program includes all women and should help ensure breast health. It is an easy, practical plan that gives you optimal protection with minimal effort. It puts control of your breast health where it should be: in your hands. True, this program is not a guarantee that you will not develop cysts, breast infections, or even breast cancer. But it does provide you with the guidelines and knowledge you need to care for your breasts and appreciate your body and your breasts. You may already be following some of the guidelines, in which case the entire program will be even easier to implement. Regardless of where you are now, each step you take brings you closer to better health. These steps are only recommendations and should be used in conjunction with the advice of your physician or other health care provider. That being said, first you need to choose a physician or health care provider who will help you with your health and wellness goals. How to Choose a Doctor or Other Health Care Provider Every woman needs a physician or other health care practitioner to whom she can turn with confidence, not only if things go wrong, but also when she needs a few words of advice or guidance regarding her health. Choosing such a practitioner is an important part of your program. The following tips can help you choose a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable and with whom you can establish a good rapport. Keep in mind that this is a relationship, which means each of you is responsible for sharing information, asking questions, being open to new ideas, and being willing to learn. You may need the services of more than one health care provider—say, a medical doctor and one or more alternative practitioners who are knowledgeable about natural remedies. It is then your responsibility to let each health team member know what is going on with the others. For example, your medical doctor needs to know if you are on your natural herbal program, because herbs may affect any medications your doctor has prescribed. Conversely, conventional medications may affect the effects of herbal remedies. More and more practitioners are receiving training in alternative treatments. It is not uncommon to find a medical doctor who also offers homeopathic care, nutritional therapy, or acupuncture. Nevertheless, you may still want to consult an alternative health practitioner for other treatments. Guidelines for Choosing a Physician/Health Care Practitioner
When considering candidates to be your health care provider, consider the following guidelines and questions: ● Get referrals from family, friends, and other trusted individuals. Because everyone has different preferences and tastes, ask these people why they prefer their physicians. Their reasons may not meet your criteria. ● Do you want a male or female doctor? Many women prefer female doctors; others do not have a preference as long as the person meets their needs. ● How do these health care providers feel about alternative or complementary therapies? Do they incorporate any natural remedies into their practice, or are they comfortable with patients who seek help from alternative practitioners? ● What are their feelings about the roles of nutrition and stress in overall health? ● Are these health care providers willing to make referrals to specialists or other physicians? ● Are they affiliated with a hospital, medical center or clinic? If you ever need the services of one of these locations, you need to be comfortable with the option. ● Do they have diagnostic facilities, such as X-rays and a lab, on site? Having these services readily available is convenient for you when testing is needed. ● How do their offices handle insurance claims? ● Are their offices convenient for you?
Once you've narrowed down your choices, interview the health care provider to determine if he or she is the right fit for you. Trust your gut instincts as you listen to the answers this person gives: ● Does he or she answer your questions honestly and openly? ● Does he or she seem genuinely interested in your concerns? ● Does he or she take his or her time or does he or she seem impatient or rushed? ● How does he or she interact with his or her staff? ● Does he or she have another physician on call when he or she is unavailable? If he or she's answers satisfy you, congratulations! You have a relationship with your health care provider. The Five-Step Program for Breast Health: An Overview Step 1: Eating for Healthy Breasts Perhaps you're already eating more fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods, including whole grains and beans in your diet, and enjoying soy products. Or you may have been thinking about it but haven't made any changes yet. Now is the time to do it, and this step explains the why and how of healthy eating. When you introduce new foods gradually, you ease into new habits without disturbing your normal routine. Soon you're eating nutritious food and enjoying it. If you were experiencing breast pain or tenderness, you may notice it is greatly reduced or gone. Your energy level will increase and your risk of breast infections, cysts and cancer will be significantly reduced. This step is also about improving your nutritional intake if you are undergoing breast cancer treatment. Good nutrition is vital in such cases, as your body is under a lot of stress and your immune system is compromised. Step 2: Using Natural Supplements and Remedies for Healthy Breasts In today's toxic world, even the best diet needs a boost. If your diet is poor, you need even more help. Nature's bounty can provide the support you need. Nutritional supplements, herbal formulas, and homeopathic remedies (such as calcium, calendula, and pulsatilla) can promote, maintain, and restore breast health. Step 2 is about adding natural helpers to your routine: something as easy as taking a supplement or enjoying a cup of herbal tea with breakfast and dinner. These simple actions can make a significant difference in your health. This step also helps women who have breast discomfort or pain, or who are being treated for breast cancer. Many of nature's compounds offer healing and restorative powers. Women who are enduring chemotherapy or radiation for breast cancer, or who are dealing with benign breast conditions will find natural solutions as part of this step. Step 3: Deciding if hormones are right for you The decision to take any type of hormone that can affect your health, and especially increase your risk of cancer, is one that most women do not take lightly. Nearly every woman will face this decision during her lifetime. The large amount of information available, as well as that which is yet to be discovered, and the fact that each woman has a unique history and set of needs, make this a difficult choice. This step provides you with information about the different options when it comes to birth-control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and fertility drugs, and guidelines on how you can make such decisions based on your physical and emotional states. Step 4: Caring for Your Mind/Body Understanding the mind/body connection is vital to health and healing. Step 4 includes ways for you to create and keep that connection through exercise, stress reduction, and detoxification. The three are intertwined: exercise heals the body, mind, and spirit, reduces stress, and helps detoxify the body. Stress-reduction techniques—driven imagery, meditation, and yoga—relax the body, open up communication between the mind and body, and aid the detoxification process. Detoxification techniques, which include fasting, herbal remedies, and manual lymphatic drainage, rid the body of toxins and clear the mind. Have fun with this step by setting up an exercise routine with friends and learning yoga or meditation. When it comes to detoxification, you can start with herbal remedies or opt for fasting once in a while once you discover how good it makes you feel. Once again, this step includes something for women with breast cancer and benign breast conditions. Suggested exercises for women who have undergone breast surgery are included, and stress reduction techniques address breast pain, breast cancer, and stress relief. Step 5: Breast Screening and Preventive Maintenance Step 5 has three parts: breast self-examination (BSE), examination by a health professional, and mammography. BSE can be done in your own home in just 10 to 15 minutes once a month, and this step shows you how. Having your breasts examined by a health professional is part of your annual visit to your gynecologist. When you reach the age at which a mammogram is recommended, this quick procedure can be part of your gynecological visit, or you can schedule it separately. But perhaps you'll forego mammography for another screening method. This step explains your options. You don't have to do all the steps at once, and it doesn't matter what order you tackle them in. But start somewhere, and start today. They can be the healthiest steps you ever take.
