Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part C (2025)

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women globally, with a rising incidence from 641,000 cases in 1980 to over 1.6 million in 2010. Male breast cancer remains rare, comprising less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. Genetic factors such as BRCA2 mutations and Klinefelter syndrome increase susceptibility. Breast cancer etiology involves genetic mutations, hormone exposure, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors like brassiere use and smoking. Herbal medicine, a traditional therapeutic approach, plays a growing role in complementary cancer therapy. Herbal agents such as Echinacea, flaxseed, garlic, and turmeric exhibit promising anticancer properties through diverse mechanisms. Echinacea inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, reducing breast cancer cell proliferation. Flaxseed lignans act as phytoestrogens, modulating hormone activity and lowering cancer risk. Garlic contains sulphur compounds like DADS and DATS, which inhibit cancer cell growth and angiogenesis. Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, suppresses key components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, angiogenesis, and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. These herbs, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, may complement conventional treatments by reducing tumour growth and side effects of chemotherapy.