170: Could Chronic Infections Be the Missing Link in Breast Cancer?

Lyme, Bartonella & Hidden Inflammation with Dr. Casey Kelley What if the reason you're exhausted, struggling with brain fog, experiencing night sweats, or dealing with unexplained inflammation has nothing to do with aging or menopause? And what if chronic infections are one of the overlooked pieces of the breast cancer puzzle? In this episode of Keeping Abreast with Dr. Jenn , Dr. Jenn Simmons sits down with functional medicine physician Dr. Casey Kelley to explore the often-missed world of Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, and chronic infections—and why they deserve a closer look when we're asking what contributes to disease. Dr. Kelley shares her own experience of being dismissed by conventional medicine before discovering that Lyme and co-infections were contributing to her debilitating symptoms. Together, she and Dr. Jenn discuss why these infections can be so difficult to diagnose, how their symptoms overlap with menopause and autoimmune conditions, and the emerging research investigating potential connections between Bartonella, inflammation, and certain cancers. This conversation isn't about claiming that infections cause breast cancer. It's about asking better questions, recognizing what we may be missing, and understanding why treating a diagnosis isn't always the same as understanding the whole person. What You'll Learn Why chronic Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections can be difficult to identify through conventional testing How Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia differ and the symptoms associated with each Why fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, hot flashes, and night sweats aren't always just signs of aging or menopause The emerging research exploring Bartonella's relationship with blood vessel growth and certain tumors How chronic infections may contribute to inflammation and immune dysfunction Why a negative Lyme test doesn't always settle the question What Dr. Kelley looks for when evaluating patients with unexplained chronic symptoms How functional medicine approaches infection burden, gut health, and immune support alongside conventional cancer care Why treating chronic infections can be a lengthy, individualized process Practical ways to reduce tick exposure and what to do after discovering a tick bite Timestamps 01:07 - Why asking "Why did I get breast cancer?" matters 03:31 - Dr. Kelley's journey into functional medicine 04:44 - Her personal battle with POTS, Lyme, and co-infections 07:46 - Why chronic Lyme disease remains misunderstood 10:44 - How missed or inadequately treated infections may become persistent 13:47 - Why conventional Lyme testing can miss infections 15:51 - Early warning signs and symptoms of Lyme disease 18:31 - Tick transmission, attachment time, and common misconceptions 19:55 - The potential connection between Bartonella and breast cancer 21:44 - How Bartonella affects blood vessels and why researchers are investigating its relationship with tumors 25:49 - Supporting patients with breast cancer through a root-cause approach 33:39 - Looking beyond standard laboratory reference ranges 35:19 - How Babesia can affect blood counts and iron markers 36:33 - The symptoms that may point toward hidden infections 38:53 - Babesia, night sweats, anxiety, and air hunger 40:03 - Biofilms and strategies used before infection testing 41:21 - Specialized testing options for Lyme and co-infections 42:34 - Why treating chronic infections can take months 44:22 - Understanding Herxheimer reactions during treatment 47:15 - How to find a provider experienced in tick-borne illness 48:52 - Practical strategies for preventing tick bites 50:33 - Tick testing and what to do after exposure 52:03 - Why greater awareness of chr