Nutrition Tips To Prevent Breast Cancer
One in eight women will receive an invasive breast cancer diagnosis during her lifetime. To prevent this, many research the latest health fads claiming to reduce the chance of developing cancer.
Unfortunately, no magic food or workout routine exists to ensure you will never develop cancer. However, making some slight changes to your diet and activity could help lower your likelihood of receiving that diagnosis. While many factors outside your control contribute to breast cancer such as genetics and family history you can make some lifestyle choices now to help decrease your chance of developing specific cancers in the future.
Two New Studies Suggest Diet Can Help Breast Cancer Survivors Live Longer
Mya Nelson
Mya R. Nelson is a science writer for American Institute for Cancer Research.
Can breast cancer survivors diets help them live longer? Two new studies both partially funded by AICR suggest yes. The research yields important insights into an area that has previously given inconclusive findings.
Today, more women than ever before are surviving breast cancer and that has led to increased research into how diet may play a role in survival. Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing another breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, which increases risk of mortality. In 2014, AICRs systematic review of the global evidence found there was not enough evidence to conclude that diet affected breast cancer survival.
Some research conducted in recent years has hinted that a healthy diet can improve survival, such as these papers AICR has written about here and here. However, there is a critical need for more and better research, says Nigel Brockton, PhD., AICRs Vice President of Research.
Many of the estimated 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US are eager for reliable dietary advice that can help them live longer, healthier lives, said Brockton. AICR funded this research to help provide some of those answers.
Nutrtion And Breast Cancer
There are many epidemiological evidences and research studies in human and animals suggesting that diet plays an important role in breast cancer prevention or progression. Diet represents one of the most modifiable risk factors for breast cancer. Changes in the dietary patterns are not only related to less risk but also patients diagnosed and treated for breast cancer who pursue healthier dietary habits can improve their health and survival.
The relationship between obesity and breast cancer was reviewed in many articles because the high incidence and prevalence of both diseases. Overweight and obesity at the time of diagnosis were associated with a worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. A study in Italy showed that a diet high in glycemic load was associated with increased breast cancer risk.
A systematic review showed that there are some strategies to prevent weight gain that may decrease the risk of breast cancer or improve cancer outcomes in women with breast cancer.
Animal models were used to understand the mechanisms by which folates and folic acid exert their effects, especially in breast cancer patients. Mammary tumors were chemically induced in rats and then, the animals received a diet containing different levels of folic acid. Folic acid supplementation was associated with significantly higher volume of mammary tumors and increased expression of BAX, PARP, and HER.
Also Check: How Do You Know If You Got Breast Cancer
Tips For A Healthy Diet
Most health practitioners recommend a balanced diet which includes:
- plenty of vegetables, fruit and legumes. Aim for five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit each day.
- cereals, preferably wholegrain, including bread, rice, pasta and noodles.
- Some lean meat, fish, and poultry try to eat fish 23 times a week, and limit your intake of red meat to 500g a week.
- fat reduced dairy foods including milk, yoghurt, and cheese try to consume around three servings of calcium-rich food daily.
- plenty of water try to drink around eight 250ml glasses daily .
It is also recommended that you cut back on:
- foods high in saturated fat and salt, such as fatty meats, take-away food, salty snacks, and cakes.
- food and drink high in sugar like biscuits, fruit juice, and soft drink.
- alcohol There is convincing evidence that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer, however it is not clear whether alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer recurring . Cancer Australia recommends avoiding alcohol consumption or limiting daily alcohol intake to reduce cancer risk. If you do drink alcohol, women are recommended to limit their alcohol intake to no more than one standard drink each day to reduce cancer risk for men, the recommendation is no more than two standard drinks a day.
Nutrition during treatment
Avoid drastic diet changes
Managing advice from others
How Your Diet May Affect Your Risk Of Breast Cancer
Eating right is one important way you may be able to lower your risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends eating mostly vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and less red meat , less processed meat , and fewer sweets. A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancer types.
A healthy diet can also help you get to and stay at a healthy weight. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for getting breast cancer. Whats less clear is the link between breast cancer risk and any one food type. Many studies about foods and breast cancer risk have had different results, but no clear-cut answers. Here is what the evidence tells us about fat, vitamin supplements, soy, dairy, and sugar.
Also Check: Breast Cancer Images On Ultrasound
How Common Is Breast Cancer By Age
Your risk for breast cancer increases as you age. About 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are ages 45 or older, and about 43% are ages 65 or above. Consider this: In women ages 40 to 50, there is a one in 69 risk of developing breast cancer. From ages 50 to 60, that risk increases to one in 43.
Focus On Nutrients And Get The Most Nutrients Per Calorie
Choose foods from the food groups like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, meats/eggs and dairy products.
A balanced diet helps ensure youre getting the nutrients you need to keep your body strong.
A balanced diet supports a healthy immune system, balanced electrolytes and lean body mass, gives you energy and helps fight the fatigue so often associated with cancer treatment, says Taylor.
Don’t Miss: When To Check For Breast Cancer
Connections Between Food And Cancer
It is challenging to find specific links between a food or nutrient and cancer because:
-
Foods contain many substances that may either increase or lower cancer risk.
-
Most people eat and drink a variety of foods. This creates interactions that are hard to study.
-
The effects of a food or nutrient can vary depending on how much of it you eat.
-
Some research shows that how a food is prepared may influence its risk or benefits.
What Is Vitamin D
Vitamin D is also known as calciferol or the sunshine vitamin.” It is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps with teeth and bone development. The human body produces vitamin D naturally through exposure to sunlight. When ultraviolet rays from the sun are on the skin, it triggers the body to make vitamin D. The vitamin is also present in certain foods and can be taken as a supplement.
Recommended Reading: Can Breast Cancer Spread While On Chemo
Garlic And Onions Get Down To The Cellular Level
Garlic seems to have an impact on cell cycling, explains Marian. Thats the process that is not functioning properly when a healthy cell becomes cancerous and grows uncontrolled. Credit for regulating this goes to the component of garlic called allyl sulfide. Allyl sulfides are found throughout the onion family, so adding garlic or onions to your recipes on a regular basis may aid in breast cancer prevention.
People on blood thinners and certain other drugs should talk with their doctor before taking garlic supplements, to avoid possible drug interactions.
Healthy Foods That Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
A woman may reduce her risk for breast cancer by eating higher amounts of foods with nutrients and antioxidants proven to fight cancer.
A woman may reduce her risk for breast cancer by eating higher amounts of foods with nutrients and antioxidants proven to fight cancer.
Certain vitamins and nutrients can reduce your risk for breast cancer. If you meet breast cancer risk factors, eat the following 11 healthy foods to lower your risk.
Recommended Reading: Is Breast Cancer Hard Or Soft Lump
Is Alcohol Consumption A Risk Factor For Breast Cancer
Whats agreed on by researchers so far is that obesity can be a risk for breast cancer, as can a sedentary lifestyle. Alcohol consumption should be limited, too: In more than 100 studies, excessive drinking has been consistently associated with an increased risk. And experts recommend against using supplements as a nutrition shortcut.
What Diet Is Best For Breast Cancer
Eating for Breast Cancer Reduced Risk and Improved Survival Taken together, the research suggests that women diagnosed with breast cancer may benefit from eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and eating less rapidly-digested foods sources, such as whole grains and non-starchy vegetables, says Brockton.
Don’t Miss: Where Does Breast Cancer Metastasis
Is Red Meat Bad For You
Several studies have suggested that the type of saturated fat found in red meat and other animal byproducts may result in the development of breast cancer. As such, daily servings of red meat and processed meats should be limited. 1 Instead, build your plate around vegetables and consider meat a condiment, or cook it only on special occasionsespecially if your favorite meat dishes are cooked at very high heats . These elevated temperatures can cause toxic byproducts called advanced glycation end products to form, which may be carcinogenic.
Vitamins Minerals And Antioxidants
Your body needs vitamins and minerals. They help the body:
-
Perform essential functions
-
Grow and develop
Some vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are antioxidants. Research on their role in cancer prevention continues because studies show mixed results.
A review of clinical trials in people shows the following:
Beta carotene. High-dose beta carotene supplements do not seem to prevent cancer. Two large clinical trials have found that people at high risk for lung cancer, including smokers, former smokers, and people exposed to asbestos, have a higher risk of lung cancer if they take high-dose beta carotene supplements.
Calcium and vitamin D. The Womenâs Health Initiative was a large study of women who had been through menopause and were generally well nourished. Researchers studied the effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D. They found that supplements did not affect colorectal cancer risk.
Folate. Folate is a type of B vitamin found in:
-
Leafy, green vegetables
-
Fruits and fruit juices
-
Dried beans and peas
One form, folic acid, is made in the laboratory and found in dietary supplements. Enriched, white flour is fortified with it. This means that foods made with flour, including breads and cereals, contain folic acid.
Studies show a link between folate and cancer risk. People with low folate levels have a higher risk of:
-
Pancreatic cancer
But clinical studies have not yet shown a relationship between taking extra folic acid and cancer prevention.
Recommended Reading: What Is Her Negative Breast Cancer
Probiotics And Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is another tumour in which there are reports about the beneficial effects of probiotic administration. Many reports analyzed, as was explained above, the association of soy based products and especially soy isoflavones with breast cancer risk. In this context, soy isoflavone ingestion was studied accompanied with the co-administration of probiotic bacteria, and it was observed that high concentrations of probiotics may alter the metabolism of isoflavones. Recently, the consumption of beverages containing L. casei Shirota and soy isoflavone was inversely associated with the incidence of breast cancer in Japanese women when they were consumed regularly since adolescence. The cooperative prevention mechanism of soymilk and L. casei Shirota was evaluated using a rat carcinogenic model. It was observed that soymilk prevented the development of mammary tumors and that L. casei Shirota suppressed tumor growth.
Table Table11 summarizes the effects reported for different LAB against breast cancer during the last years .
How Do I Make My Breasts Feel Good
Use hot or cold compresses on your breasts. Wear a firm support bra, fitted by a professional if possible. Wear a sports bra during exercise, especially when your breasts may be more sensitive. Experiment with relaxation therapy, which can help control the high levels of anxiety associated with severe breast pain.
Also Check: Stage 3 Metastatic Breast Cancer
Following A Large Group Of Survivors
Both studies are led by nutritional epidemiologist Maryam Farvid, PhD, and pulled data from about a quarter of a million women who were part of two large observational studies. These Nurses Health studies had started in 1976 and 1989. The women were cancer-free and ages 55 or below when they joined the study. Each participant regularly answered questions about her dietary habits, along with family history, activity and other relevant risk factors.
Getting The Nutrition You Need During Cancer Treatment
After a diagnosis of cancer, many people feel a loss of confidence when it comes to nutrition. Some cancer survivors question their earlier food choices, while others begin to strictly limit foods they consider bad, like sugar and caffeine.
As food is one of the few areas over which cancer survivors have some control, it is important to recognize which diet modifications may be helpful, and which may simply reflect a bargaining aspect of adjusting to a cancer diagnosis.
While this thought process is understandable, its a good idea to look at what the science tells us. Lets see if there may be some sensible and empowering diet changes you can make without taking away the enjoyment of eating.
Recommended Reading: Environmental Causes Of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Green Tea Can Soothe Your Mind And Protect Your Cells
Green tea and white tea both contain catechins, chemicals that seem to show some benefit in breast cancer prevention. Research published in August 2016 in the journal Nutrients suggests that green tea may be effective at slowing tumor growth and influencing other biological processes that contribute to breast cancer. But, says Marian, you might have to drink a lot of tea four or more cups a day to achieve this effect.
Best Diet For Breast Cancer Patients:
By: ABP Live|Updated at : 15 Nov 2022 03:01 PM
–
Breast Cancer Prevention: . . , .
, . . .
? , . . .
?
News Reels
. …
?
Disclaimer: , , . // .
Also Check: Does Breast Cancer Show In Blood Work
Alcohol In Moderation If At All
Drinking alcohol is a known risk factor for breast cancer. A large, observational study of 105,986 women suggested that drinking three glasses of wine or more per week throughout life increases a womans risk of breast cancer by a small but significant percentage.
The study saw a 15% increased risk of breast cancer when women drank an average of three to six drinks per week, compared to women who did not drink. Try to avoid intake of alcoholic beverages when possible.
Some studies tout possible benefits for heart health from moderate intake of red wine, but regardless of the type of alcohol, daily alcohol intake is associated with increased risk for certain cancers, including breast cancer, notes Taylor.
Sugar Inflammation And Soy: How Does Nutrition Influence Breast Cancer Risk
Many factors increase the chance of developing breast cancer. Some we cant change, such as getting older or inheriting genetic mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. But we can control or at least modify a few risk factors including our diet.
Study after study shows that healthy eating lowers not only your risk of developing breast cancer but also other health problems, such as heart disease. This is due in part to the connection between nutrition and obesity, which is in turn linked to inflammation.
Obesity and being overweight are associated with a higher risk of developing 13 types of cancer, including breast cancer. In fact, 18% of cancers in the U.S. can be linked to excess body weight, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, or poor nutrition.
No diet is guaranteed to prevent cancer. However, making healthy lifestyle choices can improve your general health and potentially reduce your risk of getting breast cancer.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Screening Test For Breast Cancer