In a world filled with carcinogens and rising rates of breast cancer, how can we stay healthy? The information below is presented in the hopes that if may offer women a helpful tool for breast health. It is not intended in any way as medical advice, and is for educational purposes only.

The future of cancer prevention has been altered. Promising anticancer agent, Diindolylmethane (DIM), provides a new option for decreasing the risk of estrogen related breast cancer and prostate cancer. This is achieved by raising the amount of "good" estrogens and lowering the level of "bad" estrogens in the body. DIM is a naturally occurring bio-chemical that is found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. Research began over 20 years ago on the supplemental use of these phytonutrients. (1) In 1987, scientists from University College London discovered that when cruciferous vegetables were added to the diets of animals, it decreased certain forms of cancer. (2) In recent studies, this same cancer protection was shown to result from simply adding supplemental DIM.

Once DIM is added to the diet, estrogen regulation and metabolism are altered. DIM increases the beneficial estrogens, 2-hydroxy and 2- methoxyestrogens. These "good" estrogens function as antioxidants and promote the elimination of damaged or cancerous cells throughout the body. While the levels of good estrogens are increased, there is a simultaneous reduction in the levels of harmful estrogens.

This reduction in the levels of estrogen are dramatic. In his article Safer Estrogen with Phytonutrition, Michael A. Zeligs, M.D. stated: "These shifts in estrogen metabolites were significant and showed an approximate 75% increase in the production of 2- hydroxyestrone ['good' estrogen] and with a 50% decrease in 16-hydroxyestrone ['bad' estrogen]." (3)

16-hydroxyestrogens have been found to be the "bad" estrogen which can damage DNA and promote breast, uterine, and prostate cancer. The importance of supplementation with DIM is that it decreases the estrogen-related breast cancer risk in the majority of women. This includes women taking supplemental estrogen, DHEA, phytoestrogen supplements, or no hormonal replacement at all. (3)

Between 1987 and 1992, 10,786 women (ages 35 -69 years) were recruited to a prospective study on breast cancer in Italy. The results from the study support assertions about the roles of "good" and "bad" estrogens in the body. For those who like to read the clinical details, please see the next paragraph.

An abstract from the study states: "Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that 16alpha-hydroxylated estrogen metabolites, biologically strong estrogens, are associated with breast cancer risk, while 2- hydroxylated metabolites, are weakly related to this disease. This study analyzes the association of breast cancer risk with estrogen metabolism, expressed as the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone. Further research supports the hypothesis that the estrogen metabolism pathway favoring 2-hydroxylation over 16alpha-hydroxylation is association with a reduced risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women." (4)

DIM is unique in promoting a healthy estrogen metabolism. It improves symptoms of estrogen that causes imbalance in both men and women, such as severe PMS.

Men can also benefit from the supplemental use of DIM. Recent studies from the University of California conclude that, "Our results identify DIM as a potential cancer preventive and useful for prostate cancer."(5) Estrogen metabolism slows as men age, causing estrogen to accumulate in the prostate gland. (6) This occurs especially in conjunction with alcohol abuse and obesity. Studies show that this extra estrogen accumulates in the prostate gland and is associated with some prostate enlargement. (7)

DIM has also been found to be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of night time urination due to enlarged prostate.

Based on the research that has been conducted over the last twenty years, DIM has a promising future in cancer prevention. Exciting research continues in the area of these phytonutrients. Increasing the beneficial estrogens and decreasing the levels of harmful estrogens can benefit both men and women, improving hormonal balance & overall health.

Breast cancers in younger women are usually more aggressive and have poorer survival rates. Breast thermography offers younger women a sensitive non- invasive (no radiation and painless) addition to their regular breast health check-ups beginning with baseline screening at age 20. From Breast Thermography.Org .

Broccoli is a miracle food. It contains SGS and DIM (see articles) which are helpful in preventing many cancers, including prostate cancer. Of course you need to ear 7 lbs per day to get the amount in a supplement , but regular consumption of this food has to be good for you! Since this is the time of year that we plant and plan our gardens, be sure to plant some if you are doing a garden this year!

JOHNS HOPKINS SCIENTISTS have found a new and highly concentrated source of sulforaphane, a compound they identified in 1992 that helps mobilize the body's natural cancer-fighting resources and reduces risk of developing cancer.

"Three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk," says Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology. From John Hopkins.org .