Rosalee Brown
BREAST CANCER is a disease that is dreaded by most women and many times we feel hopeless in trying to prevent this disease. With early detection and effective treatment, the survival rate is good, therefore we are encouraged to do monthly breast self-examinations and routine mammograms.
It is known that only a small percentage of all cancers are genetically-related and most are caused by environmental factors. Breast cancer is believed to be preventable, based on population studies which indicate wide variations in breast cancer rates in populations around the world and also migrating immigrants, who, in about two generations, acquire some modifiable risk factors for cancers of their new country.
According to information from the U.S. National Cancer Institute, risk factors include obesity, chemical exposures such as organochlorines associated with some insecticides, ionising radiation exposure at a young age and high intake of alcohol. Evidence and results of various studies are mixed as to the contribution of these and other risk factors to breast cancer. Among the factors that have been suggested to positively reduce your risk is exercise.
NUTRITION AND PREVENTION
The role of nutrition and specific foods in the prevention of breast cancer is still quite mixed, as results of some studies looking at fats and fruits and vegetables have been been mixed. The fact that there is no consensus on the role of particular foods does not mean that they do not have a positive role in lowering the risk of cancers and breast cancer in particular.
Below are some fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices which are being looked at because of their various health-promoting benefits. They help to promote lower body fat and can help in lowering the risk of other diseases, so there is a benefit in including them in your diet although the verdict is still out.
The indoles in vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are believed to be cancer fighting; they also have antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthins.
Flaxseed's (linseed) powerful fibre property lignan is said to have a role.
Herbs such as garlic and onion have allium compounds which is a suggested bolster to the immune system and help it to fight carcinogens.
Tomatoes and tomato sauce are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant against cancer.
The polyphenols in green tea is reported to prevent cancer cells from dividing.
Foods with phytoestrogens (plant sources) such as those found in soy and flax, are suggested as having a role in cancer prevention.
And there are many other substances including fibre as found in peas and beans, conjugated linoleic acid found in dairy products such as milk and even substances found in the peel and white membrane of citrus fruits called lemoniods.
I hope I have not succeeded in making the picture even more murky. The take-home message for me from the existing evidence, is to live a healthy lifestyle, consume a diet of variety, rich in plant sources of many different hues; have a low consumption of animal foods; lower consumption of total fat, even from plant sources; consume little or no alcohol; achieve a healthy weight with a low body fat; exercise; learn to handle daily stress; do monthly self breast examinations and get mammograms done as scheduled.
Many of these are the same measures to reduce the risk of not only breast cancer but also other diseases. So, I guess the message is to stop worrying and start living, healthily.
Rosalee Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
