In recent years, a health preservation craze has swept across the country, with various tonics being hailed as health "wonders". Especially for women, they often regard products like donkey-hide gelatin, birds nest, and snow frog as beauty secrets, believing that they can beautify the complexion and regulate the body.
However, Liu Xia, deputy director of the Breast Surgery Department of Hainan Cancer Hospital, reminds that for breast cancer patients, those who have undergone breast cancer surgery, and high-risk groups with a family history of breast cancer, randomly consuming health supplements may secretly "fatten" cancer cells and pose a fatal threat to health.
01
The "Hidden Risks" in Supplements | Hormones
Liu Xia introduced that breast cancer, as a hormone-dependent tumor, is closely related to the balance of the hormone environment in the body, among which the role of estrogen is particularly crucial. Under normal circumstances, the level of estrogen in the human body is in a dynamic equilibrium state, which can not only maintain the secondary sexual characteristics and physiological functions of women but also will not cause excessive stimulation to the breast tissue. However, when the level of estrogen in the body abnormally increases for a long time, it will continuously stimulate the proliferation of breast epithelial cells, increase the probability of cell mutation, and thereby induce breast cancer or accelerate the growth of cancer cells.
Many seemingly "natural and harmless" health supplements are actually the "hidden culprits" that disrupt hormone balance. Liu Xia pointed out that supplements like snow frog and royal jelly contain animal-derived estrogen. Once these components enter the human body, they can be directly absorbed and utilized, causing a sudden increase in estrogen levels. While products like donkey-hide gelatin and birds nest do not contain estrogen themselves, hormone-like substances may be added during processing to enhance their "effectiveness". Some traditional Chinese medicines, such as dried human placenta, clearly contain hormone components. Long-term use significantly increases the risk of breast cancer.
What is even more alarming are the plant estrogen supplements. Liu Xia explains that plant estrogens have a bidirectional regulatory effect. For healthy people, moderate intake can weakly simulate the effect of estrogen and have a relatively small impact on the body. However, for breast cancer patients, especially those with hormone receptor-positive tumors, the situation is completely different. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells have estrogen receptors on their surface. Plant estrogens can bind to these receptors and produce an estrogen-like effect, stimulating the proliferation of cancer cells. Clinical data show that if such patients take supplements containing plant estrogens for a long time, the risk of recurrence will increase.
02
Scientifically avoid the risks of supplements and safeguard breast health.
So how can one scientifically avoid the risks of health supplements? Liu Xia suggests that first, breast cancer patients and high-risk groups should establish the concept of "prioritizing natural diets", and try to meet their daily nutritional needs through fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-quality proteins and other natural foods, reducing their reliance on health supplements. Secondly, before taking any health supplements, one must consult a breast specialist. The doctor will develop a personalized plan based on hormone level test results, disease stage, etc., to avoid blind supplementation. Finally, when purchasing health supplements, choose regular channels, carefully check the ingredient list, and reject products with unclear ingredients and those claiming "quick results".
Liu Xia reminds us that the core of health preservation is to establish a healthy lifestyle rather than relying on supplements as a "shortcut". For people related to breast cancer, staying away from hormone supplements, maintaining a regular schedule, persisting in moderate exercise, and having regular follow-up examinations are the fundamental ways to protect breast health. Do not give cancer cells a chance to take advantage by blindly believing in the efficacy of supplements and pay a heavy price for your health.
Expert Introduction
Deputy Chief Physician Liu Xia
Deputy Director of the Breast Tumor Center and Breast Surgery Department
Medical expertise
Proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast tumors; providing comprehensive management for breast cancer treatment; performing minimally invasive rotary resection under 3D localization of mammography, intraoperative radiotherapy during breast-conserving surgery, and related breast plastic surgeries.
Article | Huang Fei