Recent studies on HRT show what scientists have suspected for a while now. There s a clear connection between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer.

The U.S. has the highest rate of breast cancer in the world affecting 1 out of 8 women.

Next to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer for women. And, after lung cancer, it s the second most deadly.

Research makes the HRT cancer link clear.

Over the past few years, millions of women have given up hormone replacement therapy, turning to alternative treatments for menopause symptoms instead. As a result, research shows breast cancer rates have gone down dramatically.

Scientists were shocked to see statistics drop by close to 12% in 2003. This was the largest decrease ever seen. And rates are still going down - particularly for women over 50, who seem to be more sensitive to HRT.

Recently, Dr. Peter Ravdin of the MD Anderson Cancer Center said he s convinced the drop in cancer is related to the decrease in HRT use for menopause symptoms.

And Dr. Christina Clarke from the Northern California Cancer Center, whose study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, agrees wholeheartedly.

“Hormone therapy use dropped by 68% between 2001 and 2003, and shortly thereafter we saw breast cancer rates drop by 10% to 11%. This drop was sustained in 2004, which tells us the decline wasn t a fluke.”

What are your options?

The best thing you can do is make lifestyle changes that will maximize your health and minimize your risk of breast cancer.

That means, regular exercise, less stress and the healthiest diet possible. Healthy women simply have far fewer disturbing menopause symptoms.

You can begin with a nutritious diet rich in colorful vegetables and fruit, whole grains and fatty fish, such as salmon. Eliminate refined carbohydrates and sugars, saturated and trans-fats, coffee, alcohol, tobacco and carbonated sodas.

And definitely get out for a half-hour walk at least three days a week - preferably daily.

To greatly improve your odds of having a pleasant, easy, carefree menopause, make sure you re getting all of the important essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Be especially sure to include fish oil for the omega 3 fatty acids.

Why should you take fish oil?

Balanced, omega 3 fish oil can make all the difference to your hormones.

The fatty acids from fish are necessary for the production and release of natural hormones. Thousands of women (including myself) have dramatically reduced hot flashes, mood swings and other unpleasant symptoms naturally with fish oil.

And there are many other long-range omega 3 benefits. Besides greatly reducing menopause symptoms, this nutritional plan has also been proven to be a great anti-cancer and heart health program. So don t wait. The best time to begin is NOW.

Copyright by Moss Greene. All rights reserved.

Moss Greene is the Nutrition Editor at BellaOnline.com and a widely read alternative health journalist. Over the past 33 years she s helped thousands to get healthier.

For great health and fitness articles, visit Moss at BellaOnline Nutrition. You ll get expert health advice and can subscribe to her free Natural Health Newsletter.

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