top of page
Search

Breast Health: Bridging Modern Risk Screening with Traditional East Asian Medicine

Writer: Donald Charlson
Donald Charlson
3 hours ago
5 min read

A Whole-Person Approach to Breast Health


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a good time to pause and pay attention to your body.


In my practice, I see breast health as two things working together. The first is objective screening from Western medicine. The second is everyday prevention from East Asian medicine. Each one does something the other cannot. 


Many people avoid the words "risk assessment." I understand that. It can feel like waiting for bad news; however, a risk score is simply information. It tells you and your doctor where you stand, so you can make clear choices about your care. Knowing your numbers is an act of self-care, not a reason to worry.


Breast Health Acupuncture

Know Your Numbers: Western Screening Tools


Risk tools use your health history to estimate your chance of developing breast cancer. They do not diagnose anything. They give you and your doctor a starting point.


The NCI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. I recommend starting with the National Cancer Institute's free Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, also called the Gail Model. It takes about five minutes. It gives you a 5-year risk and a lifetime risk estimate.


This tool has limits. It is designed for women age 35 and older. It is not meant for anyone who has had breast cancer, DCIS or LCIS, who carries a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, or who had chest radiation before age 30. It also does not fully account for a strong family history.


The Tyrer-Cuzick (IBIS) Model. If you have a known family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or you know your breast density, the Tyrer-Cuzick (IBIS) calculator looks at more of your family picture. It is a good one to review with your provider.


Mammograms still matter. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening mammogram every two years for women ages 40 to 74. Your provider may suggest a different plan based on your risk.


Your action step: Take the 5-minute NCI quiz this week. Take a screenshot of your results. Bring them to your next primary care or OB/GYN appointment and ask what they mean for you.


The East Asian Medicine View: Flow and Balance


East Asian medicine looks at the breast through the channels that run through it. Classical texts say the breast belongs to the Stomach channel and the nipple to the Liver channel. The Kidney channel and the Chong and Ren vessels also pass through the chest and support it.


Health depends on smooth flow. In this view, the body stays well when Qi and Blood move freely. The Liver's job is to keep that flow smooth. Stress, frustration we hold in, and long stretches of tension can slow it down. We call this Liver Qi stagnation.


When stagnation lasts, fluids can thicken into what we call Phlegm. In the clinic, stagnation and Phlegm often show up as breast tenderness before a period, a sense of fullness in the chest, or benign lumps such as cysts.


One important note: any new lump, skin change, or nipple change needs to be checked by your doctor first. East Asian medicine works alongside that evaluation. It never replaces it.


Prevention is the highest medicine. The Huangdi Neijing, a classic text more than 2,000 years old, says that treating an illness after it appears is like digging a well after you are already thirsty. The goal is to care for the body before problems start.


Simple Self-Care for Breast Wellness


Acupressure at home. These two points help move Qi and ease tension. Press gently with your thumb or fingertip for one to two minutes while you breathe slowly.


  • Liver 3 (Taichong): On the top of the foot, in the hollow between the big toe and second toe bones, about two finger-widths up from the web. This is my go-to point for stress-related stagnation. It is often tender; that is normal.


  • Ren 17 (Shanzhong): On the center of the breastbone, level with the fourth rib space. It helps open the chest and ease emotional tension. Use light pressure here.


Food choices. In East Asian medicine, large amounts of refined sugar, rich dairy, and greasy or fried foods can add to Dampness and Phlegm. You do not need to cut them out completely. Eating less of them, and more cooked vegetables and whole grains, can help.


Gentle teas:


  • Rose bud tea (mei gui hua): Slightly warm and fragrant. It gently moves Liver Qi and is a nice choice during stressful weeks or before your period.


  • Chrysanthemum tea (ju hua): Slightly cooling. It is better when stress shows up as irritability, headaches, or red, tired eyes.


If you are in active cancer treatment, please check with your oncology team before starting any herbal tea.


Caring for your emotions. The Liver is closely tied to how we handle stress. Feelings we hold in for a long time can show up in the body. A few minutes a day of slow breathing, journaling, or a walk outside can make a real difference.


Better Together


Acupuncture and East Asian medicine do not replace mammograms or medical screening. They do not prevent breast cancer. What they can do is support how your body feels and functions, help you manage stress, and help you feel more at home in your body.


Already in treatment? Research supports using acupuncture alongside conventional cancer care to ease side effects. A large multi-center trial published in JAMA in 2018 found that acupuncture reduced the joint pain many women feel while taking aromatase inhibitors, a common breast cancer medication. In 2022, the Society for Integrative Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology issued a joint guideline that recommends acupuncture for this type of pain.


I trained in the Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer pain protocol and am a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology. I work alongside your oncology team, not in place of it.


This month, I invite you to do two things:

  1. Take the free NCI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool and share your results with your provider.

  2. Schedule an acupuncture visit to support your body's natural flow. You can book at MaineZenDen.com or call us at (207) 800-0936.


Thank you for taking the time to care for yourself. I look forward to seeing you.


Warm regards,


Donald Charlson, MS, MBA, RN, L.Ac., DOM (NM) Maine Zen Den Acupuncture & Wellness, Kennebunk, Maine


This post is for education only and is not medical advice. Please talk with your healthcare provider about your personal screening plan.



Sources



 
 
bottom of page