Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) places equal importance on the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It views them as being part of one complete circle rather than loosely connected pieces to be treated individually.

When most of us think about taking care of ourselves, we focus exclusively on the health of our bodies. Therefore, the steps we take to stay healthy tend to come from the outside -- for example, eating certain foods or doing a certain exercise routine.

Yet the most powerful healing comes from the inside. Our emotions and how we deal with them have just as much effect on our health as the foods we eat and the exercises we practice.

Because a root cause of breast cancer is chronic negative emotions, it is essential to deal with emotions in a healthy way. TCM views breast cancer as a negative energy pattern that requires certain conditions in the body to take root. When we are angry or under stress, our body's energy takes on a specific frenetic frequency, one that is hospitable to cancer and other diseases.

By letting go of negative emotions, you can change your body's energy frequency. Doing this makes it impossible for breast cancer to ever take root. In this sense, taking care of your emotional health is the most effective form of breast-cancer prevention.