Janet's Fight Against Metastatic Breast Cancer

Why Breast Cancer Remains Such a Challenge

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. While survival rates for early-stage breast cancer have improved, metastatic breast cancer (stage IV), like Janet’s, remains incurable.

Modern oncology has delivered chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy. These extend life and improve quality of life, but recurrence and resistance are constant challenges.

A growing body of research shows that the story of cancer doesn’t begin in the lump we can feel or the scan we can see. It begins deep within our cells, in the mitochondria.

The Mitochondrial Connection

• Mitochondria are our cells’ power plants. They generate energy, but also release reactive oxygen species (ROS) as by-products.

• In excess, ROS damage mitochondrial DNA and proteins, creating a cascade of dysfunction.

• Over time, this contributes to the genetic instability, metabolic reprogramming, and chronic inflammation that make cells cancer-prone.

This is why antioxidants that act at the mitochondrial level, not just in the bloodstream, may be uniquely important.

Annatto Tocotrienol - A Potent Vitamin E for Cancer Prevention & Support

Most people know vitamin E as “tocopherol,” but tocotrienols are a more biologically powerful family within the vitamin E group. Their unsaturated tail gives them better cell membrane penetration and antioxidant efficiency.

Annatto (Bixa orellana), a tropical plant, is the only natural source that provides pure delta- and gamma-tocotrienols with no alpha-tocopherol (which can block tocotrienol benefits).

How Tocotrienols Work Against Breast Cancer

• Inducing cancer cell death (apoptosis): Tocotrienols trigger mitochondrial depolarisation, activate caspase enzymes, and fragment DNA in breast cancer cells, while sparing healthy cells.

• Suppressing growth and spread: They inhibit NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and other signalling pathways that cancers hijack for survival and metastasis.

• Anti-angiogenesis: By reducing VEGF and other growth signals, they may starve tumours of new blood vessels.

• Synergy with treatment: Preclinical models show enhanced tumour suppression when tocotrienols are combined with tamoxifen or docetaxel.

• Evidence in women: In a Malaysian study, women with benign breast lumps had higher adipose tocotrienol levels than those with malignant tumours, suggesting a protective effect.

What Clinical Studies Show

• A five-year Malaysian pilot trial combining tocotrienol-rich fraction with tamoxifen showed no difference in survival, but it used mixed tocotrienols and relatively low dosing.

• A recent phase II trial tested delta-tocotrienol in women undergoing chemotherapy. Results showed safety, with signals for improved biological markers, though not yet definitive tumour outcomes.

• Several clinical trials (e.g. NCT04496492) are underway, examining delta-tocotrienol pre-surgery to measure effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and tumour biology.

• See below for link to Dr Barrie Tan video "The HEALTH and CANCER FIGHTING Benefits of Vitamin E / Annatto":, where Dr Tan discusses annatto tocotrienols and their anti-cancer mechanisms, including the inhibition of cancer cell signaling, cholesterol synthesis, and tumor angiogenesis. Breast cancer is referenced in the context of clinical trials underway.

In short, the mechanistic and preclinical evidence is strong, human data is promising but still emerging.

Geranylgeraniol (GG) - The Forgotten Partner

Less well known but equally fascinating is geranylgeraniol (GG), another compound from the annatto plant. GG is a building block in the mevalonate pathway, the same pathway targeted by statins and regulates protein prenylation, critical for cancer-driving proteins like Ras and Rho.

GG’s Anti-Cancer Potential

• Apoptosis: GG triggers both intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor) apoptotic pathways in cancer cells.

• Disrupting oncogenic signalling: By interfering with prenylation, GG may block Ras and other proteins that drive proliferation.

• Synergy with tocotrienol: In prostate cancer models, delta-tocotrienol + GG suppressed HMG-CoA reductase, reduced K-Ras activity, and arrested cell growth with true synergy (not just additive effects).

• Safety: In an 8-week human study (150–300 mg/day), GG was well tolerated with no adverse shifts in blood chemistry, hormones, or metabolic markers.

Why Combine Tocotrienol and GG?

Nature packaged them together in the annatto plant and science suggests that was no accident. Tocotrienols attack cancer at the mitochondrial and signalling level, while GG interferes with metabolic and prenylation processes. Together, they deliver a “multi-hit” strategy.

Prevention - A Practical Step Women Can Take Today

Let’s be clear: tocotrienol and GG are not cancer cures. But based on the evidence, they may:

• Reduce the likelihood of cancer initiation (through antioxidant and anti-ROS activity).

• Support standard therapies by sensitising cancer cells.

• Lower risk of recurrence by interfering with pathways cancers use to come back.

The best news? This protection can be accessible.

• Eannatto 150+ provides 150 mg of DeltaGold tocotrienol plus 75 mg of GG-Gold.

• Taken daily, prevention starts around AUD $1.30 per day, much less than a cup of coffee.

Given the mounting evidence, the question becomes, why wouldn’t we take this simple step for prevention and cellular protection?

Where We Stand

Strengths

• Robust mechanistic science and consistent pre-clinical data.

• Safety profile established in humans.

• Synergistic action between tocotrienol and GG.

• Affordability and accessibility.

Gaps

• Larger, well-designed clinical trials in breast cancer patients are still needed.

• Sub-types matter (ER+, HER2+, triple negative) responses may differ.

• Integration with standard care must be studied to confirm best use.

A Call to Action

Janet’s story reminds us that while not all cancers can be prevented, every step we take matters.

• Learn self-checks and act promptly, as Janet did.

• Support organisations that fight for those living with metastatic breast cancer.

• And explore the safe, scientifically grounded strategies that nature and research have placed within our reach, like annatto tocotrienol and geranylgeraniol.

At Natural Health Connect, we believe prevention and support shouldn’t be luxuries. For a little more than a dollar a day, women can start building protection at the cellular level.

Cancer may begin in the mitochondria but so too can resilience.

References

• Antioxidants (MDPI) Special Issue: Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Cancer

• Natural Health Connect Research Hub: Tocotrienol Evidence and Geranylgeraniol Evidence