Question: Is there a connection between iodine deficiency and breast cancer?

Dr. Brownstein’s Answer:

Iodine has been found to be necessary for the maintenance of normal breast tissue. The connection between iodine deficiency and breast cancer, as well as fibrocystic breast disease, is strong, and recent research is making this connection even stronger.

Breast cancer (like prostate cancer) is occurring at epidemic rates — currently one in seven women are affected. Prostate cancer affects one in three men. Although there are numerous reasons for the development of cancer, the research is clear; iodine deficiency is a major piece of the puzzle. Iodine deficiency has also been associated with other cancers including ovarian, uterine, and thyroid.

Perhaps the reason we have made so little progress in our treatment of nearly all of the hormone-sensitive cancers is that the underlying cause has been overlooked. This underlying cause could very well be iodine deficiency.

It is imperative to have your iodine level checked and supplemented with the correct form of iodine when there is iodine deficiency identified.

I feel iodine status should be investigated in all cancer patients. The best results with iodine therapy occur when iodine supplementation is given as a part of an anti-cancer program.