Summary
TJ Jills, a breast cancer survivor since 2009 and board member of the Better Estrogen Foundation, shares her personal story of stage three breast cancer and how nutrigenomics testing changed her understanding of the disease. After a botched first surgery, she found a biochemist studying nutrigenomics who introduced her to estrogen gene testing, revealing mutations on every single estrogen metabolism gene. The episode covers how estrogen metabolism gene testing works, who should get tested, and what can be done with the results. TJ explains that the testing identifies genetic variants in phase one and phase two detox enzymes that metabolize estrogen, and how supplements like DIM (diindolylmethane from cruciferous vegetables), fish oil, and high-dose vitamin C can support healthier metabolism. She notes that the biochemist's patients who followed estrogen metabolism protocols had zero recurrence beyond the five-year window, compared to the standard 30% recurrence rate. The conversation also touches on practical lifestyle interventions like avoiding xenoestrogens in cosmetics and household products, maintaining a healthy BMI since fat cells produce estriol, and the importance of reducing chemical exposure. TJ advocates for all women to get estrogen gene testing at their first OBGYN visit to plan their entire fertility lifecycle.
Key Points
- Estrogen gene testing identifies variants in phase one and phase two detoxification enzymes that metabolize estrogen
- Nutrigenomics studies genes that can be influenced by diet, nutrition compounds, and environment for better or worse
- DIM (diindolylmethane) from cruciferous vegetables is the primary supplement intervention for improving estrogen metabolism
- Studies show adding DIM to tamoxifen treatment may improve recurrence odds by addressing the metabolism pathway alongside receptor blocking
- The standard breast cancer recurrence rate is 30% within five years; patients following estrogen metabolism protocols in one study had zero recurrence
- Estrogen gene testing costs between $100-300 and results are for life, not a point-in-time test
- Fat cells produce estriol, so maintaining healthy BMI reduces endogenous estrogen production
- European cosmetics are safer because estrogen-like chemicals are banned in the EU but not in the US
Key Moments
DIM as the primary intervention for estrogen metabolism
DIM (diindolylmethane), the active ingredient in cruciferous vegetables, is the primary supplement for improving estrogen gene function. Studies on the Long Island breast cancer cohort show lower mortality in women with better estrogen metabolism.
"After treatment, I started working with him on using the simple protocols. The first one of which is dim, which is basically concentrated broccoli. It's the active ingredient in the mustard family. So, you know, broccoli, cauliflower, dandelions, mustard, the active ingredient in those vegetables is dim."
Why every woman should get estrogen gene testing
TJ advocates that all women should get estrogen gene testing at their first OBGYN visit to plan their fertility lifecycle, and especially women with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, or severe acne.
"So I really am strongly of the opinion that everybody should do this. Like, I think that all women at their first OBGYN visit ought to take this test because it will help them plan out their entire fertility life, you know?"
Estrogen metabolism dysfunction as a modifiable risk
Estrogen metabolism dysfunction leads to estrogens recirculating in the body. While it doesn't directly cause breast cancer, it is a modifiable risk factor that can be addressed with simple supplement protocols and lifestyle changes.
"it will lead to potentially estrogens recirculating in your body if you've had a lot of excess estrogen exposure. And I did. Like I had taken a ton of drugs. I'd done a lot of things. I had a ton of excess estrogen exposure and these faulty genes. So I had damage on every single gene. Not only did I have damage, I actually had some genes that were so damaged that they were missing"
