February 2002 Newsletter

FHN Complementary Medicine Monthly Newsletter February 2002

ESTROGEN-SENSATIVE CANCER

There seems to be a prevalence of this type of cancer in our area. New research indicates that we may be able to reduce the risk of these cancers by measuring the ratio of the "good" to "bad" estrogen. Estrone (E1), one of the forms of estrogen is conjugated into 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestrone. If too much estrone is converted to 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone (bad), cells seem to reproduce faster, which may lead to the growth and spread of tumors. Conversely, if more 2-hydroxyestrone is produced less 16 alpha can which may have a protective effect against cancer!

Case-control studies have documented that low levels of 2-hydroxy metabolites are associated with breast cancer in women, breast cancer in MEN, uterine cancer, cervical cancer and systemic lupus erythematosis.

Also, studies show that estradiol, the active form of estrogen, provokes increases in prostate specific antigen (PSA) production in human prostate tissue. Increased PSA production was inhibited by 2-hydroxy, the beneficial estrogen metabolite.

Diindolylmethane (DIM), a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower improve the metabolism of estrogen to the "good" 2-hydroxy which act as antioxidants and have the power to eliminate damaged or cancerous cells throughout the body. Without these phytochemicals in the diet, there is increased production of "bad" estrogen which act negatively to allow oxidation, damage DNA and promote cancer.

DIM is formed from its precursor indole-3-carbinol (I3C), after enzymatic release of I3C from parent glucosinolates found in cruciferous vegetables. I3C is highly unstable, chemically reactive and unpredictable, and needs to be converted in the presence of stomach acid into the active form DIM. DIM can be taken safely in supplemental form. Unlike soy isoflavones, DIM is not an estrogen mimic or phytoestrogen and has no estrogenic activity.

The ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone should be greater than 2/1. The doctors at Complementary Medicine feel strongly that everyone should be screened for this ratio. Women of menstruation age as well as those not menstruation (surgically or naturally) can be tested. Please remember that men also have estrogen and should be tested.

During the month of February, we are offering a prompt-pay discount for this test. Normally this test is $160.00 but if the test is picked up at our office and paid for at that time we can offer it for $139.00.

Proceedure:

Test: Estrones 2/16/OH estrogen ratio

This is a first morning urine test.

Midstream

If you are menstruating it is preferred you collect on days 18-25 after the start of your menstrual cycle

No specific time requirements for non-menstruating women or for men.

Instructions for mailing the specimen are found in the test kit.