Beyond the Pink Ribbon: A Whole-Person Approach to Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we come together to honor those who have faced breast cancer, those who are currently navigating this disease, to remember those we have lost, and to inspire us to improve awareness, prevention, detection, and to foster healing. This year, Breast Cancer Awareness Month feels especially personal to me, as two individuals in my life have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Their diagnoses have served as a heartfelt reminder that breast cancer is not simply a statistic or a disease we discuss in medicine, but something that touches the lives of those we know, care for, and love. And, more importantly, it reinforces the importance of community and of being the supportive presence they need as they navigate their path to healing.

 

Over the years, we have made tremendous strides in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Yet despite these advancements, much more remains to be learned about the factors that influence cancer development, treatment outcomes, and long-term health.

 

As a naturopathic physician, I believe one of the most important opportunities in cancer care is recognizing that cancer does not occur in isolation. Our bodies are interconnected systems influenced by genetics, nutrition, the microbiome, environmental exposures, immune function, emotional health, and many other factors.

 

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage us to look beyond the pink ribbon and consider a more whole-person and comprehensive approach to breast health and healing.

Understanding Breast Cancer: More Than Genetics…It’s About Epigenetics

When discussing breast cancer, genetics often takes center stage. Although inherited genetic variations, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, can significantly increase breast cancer risk, most breast cancers are not caused by inherited mutations (1). There is something called epigenetics. Epigenetics is the science that explores how our environment, such as nutrition, diet, and exercise, can influence the expression of our genes (2). But it isn’t just food or exercise that influences our genes; even our habits, behaviors, lifestyle, metabolic health, hormonal influences, emotions, and thoughts can influence the chemicals in our bodies, our genes, our symptoms, and even our path to healing.

 

For example, research has identified several modifiable factors associated with breast cancer risk, including alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, stress, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and excess body weight, particularly after menopause (3). This list is probably not surprising, but it shows that if these factors can influence disease, there are things we can do each day that matter for reducing disease and fostering health.

 

This is encouraging because it reminds us that while we cannot control every aspect of our health, there are meaningful steps we can take to reduce certain risks, such as reducing our stress by doing even 10% less, giving ourselves a pause in the day, eating without rushing, choosing healthier foods, participating in exercise that is therapeutic, and having meaningful relationships and love around us.

 

Most individuals that I see with a diagnosis of breast cancer knew that something was wrong and felt as though their life and body were out of balance before the diagnosis. Many served as long-term caregivers, worked high-stress jobs, raised a family, experienced trauma, and were going through significant challenges. There was a chronic survival state that they bravely navigated, but knew they were out of balance. The diagnosis is what stopped them in their tracks and allowed them to reassess, realign, and change their environment and stressors. The body was saying, “It is enough.”

 

The body is an informer and will communicate with us when we have pushed for too long or too hard. For some people, they may feel the body has “failed them”, but the reality is that the body is trying to communicate that it is out of balance, and that something needs to change in the environment. I want to be clear that a diagnosis of breast cancer should never be viewed as a personal failure. For many patients that I see, they see their diagnosis as a new way forward and as a sacred time of changing who they are, a metamorphosis. The body served as an informer that they were out of balance, and now they are creating an intentional new path of health, order, and balance.

Nutrition: Nourishing Our Cells and Supporting Healing

Earlier, we spoke about epigenetics and how the environment, including food, can signal our genes and even influence our health or disease. One area I frequently emphasize in practice is the importance of nutrition.

 

Our cells require essential nutrients to perform thousands of biological functions, including cellular repair, immune regulation, and normal metabolic processes. Unfortunately, nutritional deficiencies and inadequate dietary intake can become particularly concerning during cancer treatment, when the body’s nutritional needs may change (4). The demand may increase further during treatment. The research has shown that those who are low in certain vitamins and minerals even before treatment begins do not respond as favorably and can have increased side effects. It can also lead to drug resistance, meaning that certain drugs may not work as well (5).

 

Vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, magnesium, and other micronutrients play important roles in maintaining normal physiological functions and are critical for drug metabolism. However, supplementation should be individualized, particularly during chemotherapy or radiation, because certain supplements may interfere with treatment yet may also be imperative for some individuals. Each person is different and has different nutritional needs.

 

There are so many diets touting the benefits for breast cancer. Some include ketogenic, fasting, vegetarian/vegan, and Mediterranean. Each person is different, and finding the diet that is best for them is preferred. But as a generic recommendation, the Mediterranean diet is typically safe for the masses and can be beneficial for other diseases, including diabetes, weight concerns, hypertension, and high cholesterol. This is because the foods in the Mediterranean diet contain healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates (including fiber), as well as reparative polyphenols. The Mediterranean diet is rich in colorful vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats, and other nutrient-dense foods. It is made up of whole foods rather than processed foods that contain dyes and preservatives and can be more challenging for the body to break down.

 

Sometimes I have patients who want to implement a very strict or rigid diet. They may feel committed, but it may not be the right thing for them. It creates stress and increases fear if they venture outside the parameters. Rather than approaching food through restriction or fear, consider asking yourself: How can I nourish my body today to support my health tomorrow? I am worthy of nourishment, so how can I nourish myself at this moment?

The Gut Microbiome: An Important Piece of the Puzzle

Another fascinating area of research involves the gut microbiome. Our gastrointestinal system contains trillions of microorganisms that interact with our immune, metabolic, and endocrine systems.

 

Some intestinal microorganisms also influence estrogen metabolism through what researchers call the estrobolome (6). Because estrogen plays an important role in certain breast cancers, including estrogen-dominant breast cancer, researchers are investigating how changes in the gut microbiome may influence breast cancer risk and treatment responses. Research shows that the more diverse the gut flora is, the healthier the gut and the better the response to cancer therapy (7). And certain foods, such as eating 30 different plants a week, can enhance microbial diversity in our microbiome (8).

 

Although this research is still developing, it reinforces the importance of maintaining a healthy and diverse gastrointestinal environment. Consuming a variety of fiber-rich plant foods, as well as incorporating fermented foods at least twice a week, has been shown to support microbial diversity and overall health.

Stress, Trauma, and the Mind-Body Connection

One aspect of health that I believe deserves greater attention is the relationship between chronic stress, trauma, and our physiological responses. I touched on this a tad earlier.

 

Our nervous system communicates continuously with our endocrine and immune systems through pathways that include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. When we experience prolonged stress, changes can occur in cortisol regulation, sleep, inflammatory signaling, and other physiological processes.

 

Practices such as meditation, breathwork, gentle movement, yoga, journaling, counseling, art, music, and meaningful social connections can help individuals manage stress and improve quality of life (9-11). For those navigating a cancer diagnosis, these approaches can provide additional support alongside appropriate medical treatment. Many treatment centers offer meditation, yoga, and even community support, as the research shows enhanced outcomes and quality of life.

 

Healing involves more than addressing physical symptoms or implementing a cookie-cutter approach. It is about being person-specific and incorporating epigenetic science to provide whole-person care. This isn’t just drug therapy, radiation, nutrition, or exercise; it also means recognizing the emotional experiences of the individual living with the diagnosis. We must make room for all of this in our care plans, in our monitoring, and in laying down new pathways of healing.

 

Moving Forward with Awareness, Compassion, and Hope

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than recognizing a disease. It is an opportunity to reflect on how we care for ourselves and one another. Ask yourself, “What can I do today to create a healthier foundation that is nourishing for myself and those I love?”

 

And for those navigating breast cancer, remember that you deserve compassionate, individualized care that honors your physical, emotional, and individualized needs. You are worthy of having those who love and care for you. And most of all, you are not alone.

We hold you in our hearts as you navigate a new path forward that is filled with nourishment and self-love.

 

References:

1.BRCA-https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/genetics?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=527084772&gbraid=0AAAAAD_jk-6fhArf2Ba2FEkUOFRGiHs7K&gclid=CjwKCAjw56zWBhB0EiwAdPOQOd145Uqu0N9FZpM24wHIEAJl66q3A

4kEGD-pwVyKUGDmlJ5i1xSLMhoCiqQQAvD_BwE#section-brca1

2. Epigenetics- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/epigenetics

3.Risk factors- https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-breast-cancer/?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=85386326&utm_term=risk%20factors%20for%20

breast%20cancer&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=85386326&gbraid=0AAAAADymHrLDbVn2wxoTwBCjOd

Djc-wUn&gclid=CjwKCAjw56zWBhB0EiwAdPOQOTP djnSFV3O0ATnyiykbCAGkJLl21xOTAQ7tFCWFYFjcT_kWh_nXRoC37UQAvD_BwE

4. Nutrition- Jachnis A, Słodkowski M. The importance of proper use of oral nutritional supplements in oncological patients undergoing surgery. Pol Przegl Chir. 2021 Nov 26;94(2):60-68. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.5542. PMID: 35485312.

5. Drug resistance- Whiteside MA, Piyathilake CJ, Bushell TM, Johanning GL. Intrinsic cisplatin resistance in lung and ovarian cancer cells propagating in medium acutely depleted of folate. Nutr Cancer. 2006;54(2):274-84. doi: 10.1207/s15327914nc5402_14. PMID: 16898872.

6. Estrobolome- Larnder AH, Manges AR, Murphy RA. The estrobolome: Estrogen-metabolizing pathways of the gut microbiome and their relation to breast cancer. Int J Cancer. 2025 Aug 15;157(4):599-613. doi: 10.1002/ijc.35427. Epub 2025 Apr 3. PMID: 40177842; PMCID: PMC12178105. Int J Cancer. 2025 Apr 3;157(4):599–613. doi: 10.1002/ijc.35427

7. Treatment and microbiome – Explor Target Antitumor Ther. 2023;4:240–265 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/etat.2023.00132

8. Human Gutome Project. https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/msystems.00031-18?utm_source=chatgpt.com

9. Complement Ther Med. 2009 Oct-Dec;17(5-6):274-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2009.06.004. Epub 2009 Oct 28.

10. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Mar 3;32(10):1058–1065. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2012.48.2752

11. Breast Care (Basel). 2022 Nov 25;18(1):49–59. doi: 10.1159/000527849