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Lymph Dysfunction and its Role in Breast Cancer

By: Sky David, R.P.T., M.P.T., Courtland Reeves, M.S. , ELF Laboratories.

Recent studies from the National Cancer Institute predict 2 out of 5 women will develop cancer; 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer; and some women may have even higher breast cancer risks. And, in spite of all the money invested in research, there doesn't seem to be anything a woman can do to reduce these odds, except early detection, some dieting and a surgical procedure. And then the woman's survival rate is unknown!

At ELF Labs, we have researched breast cancer medical data to identify a common "physical" pattern for the disease. In our search, we identified a pathological environment which is present in all breast cancers and which provides the greatest opportunity for the development and growth of cancer cells. In this article, we propose a few steps, which we believe lowers breast cancer opportunities and should result in a lower breast cancer risk for women.

Our research underscored the need to maintain a balance between the food we eat which contains so many pesticides, growth stimulants, hormones, preservative chemicals, artificial colorings, etc., and the need to eliminate both the excess food and excess chemicals from our body. This exchange, between the inflow and outflow of ingested material, is primarily to maintaining an environment which facilitates the nourishment and growth of healthy cells.

One of the most important, little studied circulating system in the body, but critical to managing the elimination of toxins, is our Lymphatic System. This primary immune defense and waste eliminator system, contains over 600 'collection" sites called 'lymph nodes:' It has a network of collecting vessels comparable to our venous system and pervades every tissue of our body. The Lymphatic system is primarily responsible for carrying disease fighting material to cells attacked by germs, transporting the dead germs away and supplying protein-rich plasma fluid back to the heart.

Medical research demonstrates the Lymphatic System as the primary circulatory system used by all immunological support elements (such as macrophages, T-Cells, B-Cells, Lymphocytes, etc.) which fight the virus, fungus, and bacteria attacking our body. Lymph fluid is composed of over 50% plasma protein and is the major system carrying nutrition-rich plasma protein back to our blood. When the Lymph System is blocked, infection fighting material is prevented from destroying germs and cell nourishing elements are prevented from reaching our blood. As a result, germs continue to grow and our blood loses much needed protein. Our food contains many pesticides and growth stimulants which are chemically similar to natural chemicals found in the human body. Some of our pesticides contain chemicals called aromatic hydrocarbons, very similar in formulation to human sex hormones, and are called sex hormone mimickers. When these pesticides are sprayed on vegetables, they become absorbed into the food and when ingested, they accumulate in specific organs which attract this class of chemicals. Because our body recognizes sex hormones as potent chemicals, as soon as they have completed their work, they are aromatized (broken down into simpler substances) by liver enzymes and the by-products are removed quickly from the body. This removal is managed by the lymph system and keeps human sex hormones in balance.

When sex hormones are not renewed quickly (i.e., there is a blockage in the lymph system), an imbalance occurs and the sex hormone by-products become destructive due to the light rate of lipid peroxidation they create in tissue. In men, this can lead to prostate cancer. In women it can lead to breast cancer. In women, the mammary glands are the primary producers of the female hormone estrogen. Although estrogen is a very important female hormone, once it has completed its job, it must be removed quickly from the body! A group of lymph glands (called the axillary lymph nodes) drain 85% of the fluid from the breast and are primary in removing estrogen from the breast area.

The Axillary Lymph Node Group is the largest mass of nodes in the upper body. In men and women, the axillary nodes are located in the armpit and extend from the arm pit down towards the breast. If there is unusual lymph blockage, these nodes will swell. In men this area tends to be concave as there is less work for them to do. However, they are more critical in women as they are the primary channels for letting accumulated lymph (protein and fluid) pass from the breast up to the Thoracic Duct, to the heart for processing. The Thoracic Duct, a vital termination point for the lymph system, is located behind the collarbone.

Women, especially during menses, may notice increased swelling and tenderness under the arms, the breast and or near the collarbone. This pain, a common occurrence during fertility, should be considered non-pathogenic as long as the pain is not chronic (i.e., pro longed). In women, special attention must be given to the Axillary Lymph Nodes as they are responsible for helping the mammary glands stay in balance. They prevent the accumulation of excess protein and hormone metabolic by-products in the breast. In many breast cancer situations, one finds the axillary lymph nodes well-involved and greatly enlarged due to trapped lymphatic fluid.

This engorged condition in lymph nodes, according to Dr. Fauci, NIH Allergy & Infectious Disease Center, results in providing a breeding ground (especially the HIV virus) for pathogenic material. The lymph system acts as a reservoir of infection churning out billions of HIV-infected immune-system cells that eventually spill into the blood stream, where they travel to other parts of the body. Much later, after enduring years of viral proliferation, the immune system begins to falter, and infectious disease marches in." Studies by Dr. Fauci, using the sophisticated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test reveal that 'up to 10 times as much virus may reside in the lymph system as in the blood: This is due to the fact that the HIV virus is cell specific to the T-4 Helper cells an important group of T-Lymphocytes that communicate commands to the B-Lymphocytes in protecting the body.

When looking at the lymph system, most chronic problems occur at the junction of lymph vessels called "lymph nodes". One can feel lymph nodes by pressing under the arms; just below the collar bone; or in the crease between the thigh and pelvic area. When touching these areas, most people will feel small bumps and pain. The bumps and pain are symptomatic of blocked lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes can be moderately swollen (there is less pain) or seriously swollen (there is much pain). Lymph nodes, when they exhibit severe pathology, become hard and feel like small marbles or little bb's under the arm. Since we are dealing with the primary drainage and immune support system of the body, it is very important to see a medical practitioner and get help with these seriously swollen or hardened lymph nodes. However, once the lymph nodes is reduced to a less severe pain condition, self-administered self-help techniques can work very well.

For blocked lymph nodes, a light physical massage combined with new technology called the Light Beam Generator(LBG™), facilitates opening lymph nodes. With over four years experience using light massage and the LBG, relief to the lymph node is well documented. Energy produced by the LBG creates a beneficial "energetic environment, that when combined with Manual Lymph Drainage, provides the lymph node support in releasing blocked material. In my practice [Sky David], I have proven that with the use of the LBG, I can accomplish in one therapy session what it would normally take me an average of eight manual lymph drainage sessions [to accomplish]." Other Physical Therapists, who are also Vodder Trained Therapists, find the LBG an essential tool in lymph treatment in helping produce quicker results and improved client benefit. Several people have reported great success in using the LBG to help unblock a traumatized breast. One 50-year-old woman with two teenaged children had one breast develop two open sores, with each sore oozing a pale yellow liquid. Using the LBG twice a week, the oozing liquid flow was reduced within one week and the sores healed and all pain and tenderness were gone within 60 days. We have found, that once lymph node flow has been reestablished (i.e., the immune cells can enter and clear out pathogenic material), the body can recover more quickly. Self administered manual techniques can be used also, to facilitate continual lymph flow, and a daily manual massage routine, vital to maintaining the health of the breast, should be followed. One recommended procedure follows:

Raising the arms over the head for a few minutes a day will help open the Axillary group and facilitate lymph flow.

With the arm raised, take the fingers or palm of the opposite hand, and gently but rhythmically create a pumping action in your armpit. Direct slight pressure up and towards the collarbone. This procedure helps excite and move the Axillary lymph node contents towards the Thoracic Duct. Pumping pressure must be gentle; never slide the finger over the skin, and use a slight pumping action. Lymph fluid is thixotrophic4 by nature - it can assume a liquid or gel state. A strong or hard pumping action will cause the lymph fluid to gel and inhibit the flow! A gentle touch keeps the fluid in solution and optimizes manual benefits. These steps should provide relief for lymph nodes, with less pain within several days. Performing this procedure every day for 3 - 5 minutes under each arm should assist in preventing further lymph node congestion or dysfunction.

If the lymph nodes are very sore and the swelling continues after a few days of self-treatment, contact your Doctor or Lymph Massage Therapist for special attention and treatment. By performing the simple exercise of raising the arms and gently pumping the Drollery nodes towards the clavicle a few minutes a day, one can provide attention to an important area for health prevention and reduce any imbalance in the mammary tissue. This simple manual treatment should help reduce the opportunity for breast cancer occurring due to lymph dysfunction.

Additionally, to help keep axillary nodes open, refrain from using deodorants with antiperspirant agents. Antiperspirant agents cause sebaceous glands to close so you don't sweat. However, the antiperspirant (a blocking material) when absorbed into the under arm skin tissue, causes axillary lymph nodes to close. This results in blocking the breast lymph drainage pathway. Regular deodorants do not adversely affect lymph node drainage. Many women suffer post-mastectomy lymphodema when a radical or modified surgical procedure is performed which removes all axillary lymph nodes - eliminating the lymph drain path for the arm and breast. This procedure often times results in life-long complications of severe arm swelling and disfiguration. Lymph Drainage therapists are trained to assist in this area. So, if you are a likely candidate for breast cancer.

Check your lymph nodes;

If they are sore, your lymph is blocked and you have created a breeding ground for disease

Ask your health practitioner to help you find someone experienced in lymph drainage;

And, if the soreness is moderate, use manual massage and

Remember-An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - and just might save your breast!

In Europe, Lymphatic Therapy is the fourth most prescribed massage technique by medical doctors. It is primarily active in Germany, Austria, France, Scandinavian countries and Canada. In 1976, therapeutic lymph drainage was officially recognized by the German Society of Lymphology. However, in the United States, lymphatic therapy is still little understood and used. As more U.S. practitioners gain insight into the importance of the lymphatic system and its role in maintaining a healthy 'body' environment, Lymphatic Therapy will become standard prescription therapy.

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Battezzari & Donini, The Lymphatic System, Halstead Press, 1972.

David, S., 'Raining Manual 'Lymphatic Therapy Detoxification, 1993.

David, S. 6- C Reeves, 'The Future of Physical Therapy," Explore Magazine, Vol.5, No.2, 1994

Di Fabio, A., "The Art of Getting Well", Explore Magazine, Vol.5, 1, 1994

ELF Laboratories, "Light Beam Generator(LBG™) & Body Sculpture System", Research Data, June 1994.

Harris, R., "Introduction to Manual Lymph Drainage", Massage Therapy Journal, Winter, 1993

Hirshaut, Yasar, M.D. and Pressman, Peter, Il, M.D., "Breats Cancer: The Complete Guide", Bantam Books, l992

Kurz, Gr. Ingrid (MD), Textbook of Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage.

National Institues of Health, Seer Cancer Statistics Review, 1973-1991

Wittlinger, H&G., Textbook of Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage, Vol.1, karl F. Haug Publishers, 3rd ed., 1990.