You may have heard about Breast Cancer that is “HER2 Positive.” Or you may have been recently diagnosed with this kind of Breast Cancer yourself. You have also probably heard all the “bad news” about it. Here are the straight facts about HER2 and, most importantly, what YOU can do about it.
HER2 Defined
HER2 (also called ErbB2, HER2/neu,HER2+, HER2 Overexpression or simply HER2) is a growth-promoting protein. It stands for “Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2.” In a healthy body, HER2 stimulates normal cell growth and development and is important for cell survival. In adult women, one place that HER2 proteins are located are on the outside of each breast cell.
Genes associated with an excessive expression of HER2 proteins are altered so that high levels of HER2 protein are released. For a woman who has Breast Cancer, the result is often cancer cells which have the potential to divide and multiply rapidly. When conventional test results show heavy amounts of HER2 protein, a woman will be diagnosed with “HER2 Positive Breast Cancer” by her allopathic oncologist. Breast Cancers labeled “HER2-negative” have little or no HER2 proteins.
According to a 2012 study [1] by Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, over-expression of HER2 proteins exists in roughly 20 to 30 percent of Breast Cancer tumors.
Epigenetics and HER2 Positive Breast Cancer
HER2 Positive Breast Cancer is considered an aggressive form of cancer by traditional medicine. However, just because a woman has this diagnosis does not mean that she does not have a measure of control over this situation.
Conventional medical science still maintains that cancer is a hereditary, genetic disease and external factors have very little to do with its development. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth.
The burgeoning field of epigenetics [2] is about discovering how “outside factors” such as environmental toxins and chronic stress can influence gene expression.
According to a ground-breaking 2008 investigation by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center [3], “only 5–10% of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects.”
This means that 95% of all cancer cases are caused by environmental factors and lifestyle, i.e. “epigenetics.”
The M.D. Anderson study mentioned above determined that amongst the lifestyle factors that play a big part in cancer risk are:
-diet
-stress
-physical activity
-environmental pollutants
-excess sun exposure
-excess alcohol use
-obesity, and
-cigarette smoking
What this means is that you can TURN OFF cancer-causing genes by improving your lifestyle with The 7 Essentials. Thiss concentrated attention and focus may also [4] TURN ON cancer-protective ones.
Curcumin, Blueberries Found to Reduce HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Cells
Externally-influenced cellular expression can lead to disease but it can also be a factor for encouraging the body to heal. An example of this is how moving your body every day [5] can boost energy, lower inflammation and lower your risk of Breast Cancer.
Regarding HER2 expression, results of a 2012 study [6] published in the journal Evidence-based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that “curcumin has potential as a treatment for HER-2-overexpressed breast cancer.” Other studies have found that phytonutrients called peonidin-3-glucoside and cyaniding-3-glucoside, found in many fruits, vegetables and herbs, can encourage HER2 Positive Breast Cancer cell death in both in in vitro and in vivo studies.
Other studies show that cyaniding-3-glucoside can inhibit the production of ethanol in the body. Ethanol can induce metastasis of Breast Cancer cells and can encourage the migration of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer cells. Foods that contain this powerful cancer inhibitor include black rice bran [7], dark berries such as blackberries and blueberries [8] as well as cannabis [9].
Another promising plant compound is psoralen that is found in figs, celery and parsley. According to Duke University [10], psoralen works by blocking the signaling pathway of the HER2 pathway. “The therapy has been known to kill cancer cells by causing DNA damage, but it is also having a direct anti-tumor effect on HER2 over-expressing breast cancer cells by blocking HER2 signaling.”
Finally, studies have shown that people who eat diets rich in “methyl donors” are more likely to prevent the expression of genes that could raise the risk of cancer and cancer spread in general. Methylation [11] is a process which effects hundreds of functions in the body, including DNA repair, immune function, liver detoxification and gene expression.
Boosting your intake of “methyl donors,” eating other super foods with high antioxidant loads, or supplementing [12] with these substances are just a few ways in which you may turn a Breast Cancer diagnosis around— whatever label it is given by your conventional doctor.
YOU Control Your Genetic Destiny
If you have been diagnosed with HER2 positive Breast Cancer, you can take action to support your own healing. Give yourself the gift of some time to read about all the ways you can do this by incorporating the 7 Essentials System™ [13] into your life. And if you need extra support, also know that a 7 Essentials System™ coach [14] is here to assist you on your Healthy Breast journey [13].
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr V”) is the founder of Breast Cancer Conqueror.com and The 7 Essentials System ™. This step-by-step guide empowers you with knowledge so you Never Have to Fear Breast Cancer Again! To watch a FREE webinar about the 7 steps for beating breast cancer naturally, Click Here [15].