Breast Cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the breast. Breast Cancer typically affects the inner lining of the milk ducts and is called ductal carcinoma. It also affects the lobules that produce milk and is called lobular carcinoma. Breast Cancer typically affects women but men are also least commonly affected.
Types of Breast Cancer:
a) Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) is a type of non-invasive cancer and cancer cells are confined to the ducts.
b) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer and in this type the cancer cells spreads to the surrounding breast tissue.
c) Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) begins in the lobules of the breast and can spread to other tissues.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
a) Lump or thickening of the breast or the underarm. The lump or the thickening of the breast gradually increases in size.
b) Change in the size and appearance of the breast
c) Abnormal discharge from the nipple. The discharge can be blood or serous in origin.
d) Skin dimpling or irritation.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient system of Indian Medicine and has originated in India 3000 years ago. Ayurveda strongly believes and emphasizes over health and well-being of an individual. Ayurveda strongly believes that body, mind, and spirit are three important aspect of an individual and the balance or harmony between the three are important aspect of individual health.
Most important principles of Ayurveda are:
a) Doshas: Ayurveda primarily emphasizes that there are three energies in the body that regularizes the vital function in the body. Vata (Air and Space), Pitta (Fire and Water), and Kapha (Earth and Water). Each individual has a unique combination of doshas and further imbalance in the doshas can be causative of many diseases.
b) Panchakarma: Panchakarma is a detoxification procedure that five different cleansing procedures: 1) Vamana. 2) Virechana. 3) Basti. 4) Nasya. 5) Raktamokshana.
c) Dietary Recommendations: Ayurveda strongly believes and emphasizes that every individual has different constituent of doshas and so recommends individualized dietary recommendations.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Breast Cancer
As per Ayurveda, many Ayurvedic herbs proves beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer. Certain Ayurvedic herbs helps to boost the immunity, ameliorate inflammation, and induces detoxification. These Ayurvedic drugs are:
a) Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Breast Cancer Patient:
1) Adaptogenic Properties: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a very potential adaptogen and helps the body to cope with the oxidative stress and inflammation. It is well known fact that both oxidative stress and inflammation plays crucial in propagation of cancer cells. So managing oxidative stress and inflammation helps to ameliorate breast cancer.
2) Anti-Cancer Activity: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) exhibits anti-cancer properties and inhibits growth of breast cancer cells. Withania somnifera also propagates apoptosis or death of cancer cells and prevent angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is process of formation of new blood vessels. Inhibiting angiogenesis helps to treat breast cancer.
3) Immunomodulatory Effects: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) helps to modulate the immune system and strengthens its further. Ashwagandha helps to enhance the body defense mechanism and so proves beneficial in breast cancer.
4) Antioxidant Properties: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is rich in antioxidants and helps to neutralize the free radicals that helps in cancer cells proliferation. Antioxidant supports overall health of cancer patients.
Ashwagandharisthta in Breast Cancer Patients
Ashwagandharistha is a traditional Ayurvedic formulation that is prepared from Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) etc. Ashwagandharistha promotes health and vitality in Breast Cancer patients. Ashwagandharistha is adaptogenic, reduce oxidative stress, and boost immune and physical strength of an individual. Ashwagandharistha has anti-aging properties and rejuvenates body tissues.
b) Haridra (Curcuma longa) or Haldi in Breast Cancer Patients
Haridra (Curcuma longa) or Haldi is one of the most important herbs in the armamentarium against breast cancer. Curcumin is a well-known active compound of Haridra (Curcuma longa) and plays most important role in prevention and management of breast cancer. Benefits of Haridra (Curcuma longa) or Haldi against Breast Cancer as follows:
1) Anti-Cancer Properties of Curcumin: Curcumin has a potential anti-cancer properties and it inhibits growth of breast cancer cells. Curcumin induces apoptosis in cancer cells and spares normal healthy cells. Curcumin prevents metastasis and spread of cancer cells to other part of body.
2) Antioxidant Effects: Curcumin is a potential antioxidant and helps in neutralizing free radicles in the body thereby reducing the oxidative stress which contributes in cancer progression.
3) Anti-Inflammatory Action: It is well known and established fact that chronic inflammation contribute in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer cells. By reducing the inflammatory environment the growth of cancer cells in inhibited.
4) Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Curcumin is found to be target breast cancer stem cells. Breast cancer stem cells are resistance to therapy and play a crucial role in cancer recurrence. Curcumin by targeting the stem cells helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
5) Angiogenesis Inhibition: For the tumor to grow and metastasize, they need a blood supply. Curcumin inhibits angiogenesis and thereby starve cancer cells o the nutrients and oxygen thereby leading its death.
Haridra Khanda Yoga in Breast Cancer
Haridra Khanda Yoga is a well-known Ayurvedic formulation that primarily uses Haridra (Turmeric or Curcuma longa) as a key ingredients. Haridra Khanda Yoga helps in multiple ailments like allergic condition, skin disorders, breast cancer etc. Haridra Khanda Yoga through its immune boosting properties and anti-inflammatory properties proves extremely beneficial in breast cancer patients. The composition of Haridra Khanda Yoga is Turmeric, Triphala, Trikatu, Ghee, and Sugar etc.
c) Guduchi or Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) in Breast Cancer Patients:
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) which is also known as Giloy in Ayurveda is one of the most important herbs and proves beneficial in multiple ailments. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is well known for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The potential benefits for Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) as follows:
1) Anti-cancer Potential: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) has an anti-cancer potential and inhibits the growth of the cancer cells. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) also induces apoptosis or programmed cell death. Tinosporin which is an active principle of Guduchi inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in cancer cells.
2) Immunomodulatory Effects: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is known boost the immune system and helps the immune cells to recognize and kill the cancer cells. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) enhances the activity of macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells.
3) Anti-inflammatory Action: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) helps to resolve inflammation in the body and can inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells. It is a well-known fact chronic inflammatory stage can be contributory to development and propagation of cancer cells.
4) Detoxification: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is a well-known detoxifying herb and cleanse the body of the accumulated toxins (aam). Accumulation of toxins or aam causes a pro-inflammatory stage in the body and that helps in the development and propagation of cancer cells.
Shanshamni Vati in Breast Cancer
Shanshamni Vati is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation that is prepared primarily from Guduchi or Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). Shanshamni Vati is well known for its adaptogenic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. It enhances the immune system of the body and helps to eliminate toxins in the body.
About Team ‘Cancer in Ayurveda’
Our Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ consists of Ayurvedic practitioners who are dedicated to providing patients with the best possible care for cancer. We at Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ believe that Ayurveda can complement modern medicine and provide patients with a more comprehensive approach to their care. Our personalized approach to treatment, extensive knowledge of Ayurvedic herbs, use of Panchakarma, and modern parameters make us one of the most dynamic teams of Ayurvedic cancer experts in Mumbai.
We at Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ are committed to helping patients manage their condition effectively and provide them with the support and guidance they need throughout the process.
