Boobs Part 3

Actually it only takes one. Yet there are multiple genes that help to prevent cancer!

There is a gene that prevents excessive cell replication which is another way of saying stops tumors from growing.

There is a gene that kills off defective cells like malignant cancer cells.

The opposite is also true.

You can turn these genes on and off. (It’s not quiet that simple but you can certainly think of them as a light switch, they either work for you or against you)

These genes that prevent rampant growth, or kill off bad cells don’t only work on breast cancer, this applies to any type of cancer.

If you’re interested read this if you’d rather the cliff notes skip this.
A Sciency bit from:
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/TP53

What is the official name of the TP53 gene?The official name of this gene is “tumor protein p53.”

What is the normal function of the TP53 gene?The TP53 gene provides instructions for making a protein called tumor protein p53. This protein acts as a tumor suppressor, which means that it regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way.

Tumor protein p53 is located in the nucleus of cells throughout the body, where it binds directly to DNA. When the DNA in a cell becomes damaged by agents such as toxic chemicals, radiation, or ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, this protein plays a critical role in determining whether the DNA will be repaired or the damaged cell will self-destruct (undergo apoptosis). If the DNA can be repaired, tumor protein p53 activates other genes to fix the damage. If the DNA cannot be repaired, this protein prevents the cell from dividing and signals it to undergo apoptosis. This process prevents cells with mutated or damaged DNA from dividing, which helps prevent the development of tumors.

Because tumor protein p53 is essential for regulating cell division and preventing tumor formation, it has been nicknamed the “guardian of the genome.”

How are changes in the TP53 gene related to breast cancer?

Somatic mutations in the TP53 gene occur in approximately 20 percent to 40 percent of all breast cancer cases. These cancers are typically not inherited and do not occur as part of a cancer syndrome. Many of these mutations change a single protein building block (amino acid) in tumor protein p53. These mutations lead to the production of a nonfunctional version of this protein. The defective protein builds up in cells and cannot regulate cell growth and division.

In some cases of breast cancer, one copy of the TP53 gene is lost and the remaining copy has a mutation that prevents the cell from producing any tumor protein p53. Without this protein, DNA damage accumulates and cells divide in an uncontrolled way, leading to a cancerous tumor. Mutations in the TP53 gene are associated with larger tumors and more advanced disease than breast cancers without TP53 mutations. Recurring tumors are also more likely to have mutations in the TP53 gene.

Your body wants to be healthy, vibrant, exuding love and radiance! -Tweet it!

Even if you have a genetic predisposition to cancer, like my family does, your body doesn’t want to turn that gene on. It’s programmed to do so. If you don’t have a cancer gene your body still has the genes that say grow like crazy! or I’m not going to kill that malignant cell.

That’s why 80% of cancers have no family history. There are multiple genes involved in cancer!

Let’s leave genes for a moment.

There is also a process called angiogenesis. This is the growth of blood vessels. 20 minute Youtube video of an awesome guy talking about this.

Cancer requires a dedicated blood supply to grow. Most people actually have cancer cells in their body, you probably have a couple floating around right now.

DON’T FREAK OUT! Stress causes cancer after all 😉

Your body regulates your blood vessels, so those cells aren’t getting any nourishment. They float around with no food and die off.

We have awesome genes that prevent growth, that kill off bad cells and we have regulated blood vessels that prevent cancer cells from ‘growing roots’.

These are your team.

The very first thing you need to know: It’s easier to prevent cancer than cure it. -Tweet it!

Seeing as a cure doesn’t exist.

Ok so now you know that there are multiple ways to stay on top of this and live a long rockin life. You know that you have multiple ways of strengthening your line of defense.

So my next question was, HOW?

This is a long list, and there are different ways to approach the situation.

Some people say eat a vegan diet, some say eat a paleo diet.

If you know me then you know I say eat a CleanDinners Diet! I’m a huge proponent of knowing what’s in your meal down to the last ingredient. If it’s on your plate you should be able to tell me each and every last thing. That salad dressing? I don’t let my clients say “Annie’s Goddess Dressing”. They would have to read me the ingredient list on that bottle. I’d rather hear “I sprinkled olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, dulse, and garlic on top”!

Oops, I went on a little rant there…

Some people say running is better than yoga, or meditation is better than both.

I say what are your immediate health concerns? That will tell me, as a Certified Health Coach, what kind of exercise you need.

There are as many different ways as there are people in the world.

That being said there are constants and somethings do work better than others.

Which will have to wait because it’s going to be a long post and this one is already taxing enough.