October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Why is a predominantly Mental Health related clinic reflecting on this subject? Well, it seems that some overlapping variables affect both worlds.
What Mental Health Specialists Have to Offer Breast Cancer Discussion
I’m committed to addressing this challenge as a medical doctor who believes in comprehensive medicine. Our clinic, Mensah Medical, looks at the whole person and how various elements affect YOU as an individual – not just you, a subcategory in a specialist clinic.
On a personal note, two of my close colleagues from Medical School eventually lost their battle with this challenge. Breast Cancer stopped one of my newly married friends before she could even finish her residency in Pediatrics or even have children. The other was a practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was not only a “survivor”, but a “THRIVER” for a good five years before she rapidly declined. I was determined that if I was ever blessed enough to learn anything that might help, I would do all in my power to fight this devastating disorder.
Understanding the Relationship Between Breast Cancer and Mental Health Treatments
Well, the two variables that we now evaluate with any cancer involve one’s methylation status as well as copper levels. In the case of breast cancer, we are very concerned with the estrogen-dominant female. Certain subtypes of breast cancer are estrogen sensitive. These females often have severe PMS issues (especially irregular and painful menstrual cycles), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue issues, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or even chronic migraine headaches. Some, or even any of these may be physiologic symptoms of estrogen dominance.
These same females may speak of severe or lifelong depression, anxiety, panic, mood dysregulation, post-partum depression, or even post-psychosis. We become quite concerned when we see combinations of these challenges in our patient population. We then test and counsel our copper-toxic females (and males) about how to minimize risk.
“The Copper Connection” and Breast Cancer Risk Factors
You see, estrogen causes copper to rise in your system. In the more susceptible patient, this can facilitate not just emotional dysregulation, but physiologic challenges including Breast Cancer. So, here we have to be very careful. Anything that can elevate estrogen is a problem; common culprits include oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.
Even excess body weight allows for what we in medicine refer to as “peripheral conversion of estrogen in fat cells.” Simply stated, being overweight is a risk factor to be considered in these populations. So, we also talk about weight as well as diet. However, our dietary discussion relates not so much to weight loss but to minimizing copper in the diet. Almonds, dark chocolate, sunflower seeds, lentils, dried apricots, and even Asparagus, are rich dietary sources of copper.
Believe me folks, we truly support breast cancer awareness month for many reasons. So here we talk this month about what we call, “The Copper Connection.” It is a very important piece in this puzzle. Mensah Medical pioneers nutrient support protocols that can help fight the good fight against this devastating disorder. Here, individualized support can be adjusted to work within the context of standard medical protocols for treatment.
Please understand that we are NOT suggesting that you do not work with standard treatment. Quite the opposite, we simply look to augment or maximize potential treatment protocols at all appropriate levels.
This is a big, heavy subject, and we just want you to be aware. Knowledge is power. More importantly, do not look only to survive, but to forever thrive.
Thank you, Beatrice and Nermine for your inspiration and strength and your families and friends.
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Join Dr. Albert Mensah, MD for a Facebook Live session on Tuesday, October 24th from 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm EDT, entitled: “The Copper Connection”: Understanding the Role of Copper in Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention. Drawing upon more than 20 years of experience identifying and treating biochemical imbalances, Dr. Mensah will explain why it is critical to understand the influence of copper when addressing breast cancer treatment and prevention. Join us Tues, Oct 24 from 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm CDT at Facebook.com/MensahMedical to learn more and get your questions answered.
