What if breast cancer risk is not determined only by your genes or family history? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with double board-certified breast cancer surgeon and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Kristi Funk to discuss why breast cancer is becoming more common, especially among younger women, and what women can do to better understand and potentially reduce their risk.
Dr. Funk explains why 95% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a BRCA mutation and why 87% do not have a first-degree relative with the disease. Together, Dr. Taz and Dr. Funk explore how food, alcohol, exercise, body weight, stress, inflammation, environmental toxins, sleep, and hormone therapy may influence breast health.
They also break down some of the most confusing questions surrounding breast cancer screening and treatment. Do mammograms cause cancer? Is ultrasound a good alternative? When should women begin breast exams? Are some cases of stage zero breast cancer being overtreated? And how much does menopause hormone therapy actually increase breast cancer risk?
Breast cancer screening is important, but screening and prevention are not the same thing. Understanding your individual risk factors can help you have better conversations with your doctor and make more informed decisions about your health.
If you are navigating cancer treatment or recovery, concerned about inflammation, or want personalized support for your hormones and nutrition, explore related Hol+ care options here:
Cancer Support:
https://holplus.co/services/cancer-support/
Inflammation:
https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/
Hormone Balancing:
https://holplus.co/services/hormone-balancing/
About Dr. Kristi Funk
Dr. Kristi Funk is a double board-certified breast cancer surgeon, lifestyle medicine physician, bestselling author, and international speaker. She graduated from Stanford University and received her medical degree from UC Davis before completing her surgical residency and breast cancer fellowship.
Dr. Funk previously served as Director of the Cedars-Sinai Breast Center and co-founded the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles, where she continues to practice. She has helped thousands of women navigate breast health and breast cancer, including Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow. She is also the author of Breasts: The Owner’s Manual and the founder of the Cancer-Kicking! Summit.
Stay Connected with Dr. Kristi Funk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkristifunk
- Website: https://pinklotus.com/
About Dr. Taz
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/
Stay Connected with Dr. Taz
- Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
- Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts
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Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause
Host: Dr. Taz; Edited and Produced by Clip Growth (Producer: Pat Gostek)
Chapters
0:00Â Why breast cancer is rising
6:20Â Why most cases are not genetic
14:53Â The biggest breast cancer risk factors
34:25Â How stress and inflammation affect risk
40:33Â Breast exams, mammograms, and screening
49:40Â Are we overtreating stage zero breast cancer?
57:20Â Hormone therapy and breast cancer risk