Dietary Guidelines For Women With Breast Cancer

Breast cancer refers to cancer that develops in the cells of the breasts. It can occur in both males and females but is more commonly found in females. In fact, it is the most commonly occurring cancer among females worldwide. As prevention is better than cure, in this article, we will know the factors, including the miracle foods, that can help to prevent breast cancer.

What are the factors that lead to breast cancer?

Breast cancer often results from a combination of factors. The common risk factors for cancer are: –

• Getting older- Breast cancer is more common in females over the age of 50.
• Faulty genetics
• Reproductive period- Females who start periods before 12 or have menopause after 55 years of age have higher risk of getting breast cancer due to longer exposure to the hormones.
• Having dense breast
• Medical history- Females with a personal medical history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer again.
• Previous treatment with radiation therapy- Females who had exposure to radiation before age 30 have higher chance of getting breast cancer again.
• Exposure to the drug DES or Diethylstilbestrol, which is given to prevent miscarriage, can cause breast cancer in women who took DES or whose mothers took DES when they were pregnant.
• Being overweight or obese after menopause
• Physical inactivity
• Hormones- Hormones in oral contraceptive pills, as well as those found in hormone replacement therapy taken during menopause if used for longer than five years, increases the risk of getting breast cancer.
• Consuming excessive alcohol
• Reproductive history- First pregnancy after 30 years of age, no full term pregnancy or no breastfeeding raises chances of developing breast cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

These include: –

• New lump or mass which can be hard, painless with irregular edges, or round, soft, tender, and painful.
• Swelling of a part or whole breast
• Dimpling of skin
• Nipple or breast pain
• Nipple retraction
• Nipple discharge
• Dry, red, thickened, or flaking breast, or nipple skin
• Lymph nodes swollen near collar bone or under arm

What are the steps to prevent breast cancer?

These are: –

• Restrict alcohol intake to no more than one drink in a day
• Maintain optimum weight
• Eat balanced diet and avoid fried food, added sugar, red meat, and processed meat.
• Stay active- It’s recommended to have moderate aerobic exercise for 150 minutes and vigorous aerobic exercise for 75 minutes weekly, and strength training exercise twice a week at least.
• Breast feed
• Limit hormonal replacement therapy
• If there is positive personal or family history of breast cancer, one should consult a doctor for regular mammograms and other such screening tests for early detection of breast cancer.

What are 17 foods that prevent breast cancer?

There are some miracle foods that can prevent breast cancer in tandem with other preventive steps as mentioned above. Breast cancer diet plans include the following items: –

• Certain green leafy vegetables such as kale, arugula, spinach, chard, and mustard greens. They have antioxidants that help to reduce breast cancer risk.
• Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli have compounds which are converted into chemicals called isothiocyanates by the body. These chemicals have anticancer properties.
• Allium vegetables- Garlic and leeks have organosulphurs, flavonoid, vitamin C and antioxidants that have anticancer properties.
• Onion when consumed in raw form has been found to have some breast cancer preventive effect. However, other studies have linked high consumption of cooked onion with increased chances of getting breast cancer.
• Citrus fruits and their peels including oranges, lemons, lime, grapefruits, and tangerines have vitamin, flavonoids, carotenoids, and folate that lowers breast cancer chances.
• Berries have flavonoids and antioxidants that decrease chances of breast cancer.
• Peaches
• Apples
• Pears
• Grapes
• Fatty fish including sardines, salmons, and mackerel have selenium, omega 3 fats and antioxidants that lower breast cancer risk.
• Fermented foods like miso, kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt contain probiotics that are cancer preventive.
• Beans- The mineral, vitamins and fibers loaded in beans prevent breast cancer
• Herbs and spices such as oregano, turmeric, ginger, curry spice mixes, thyme and parsley have fatty acids, vitamins and polyphenol antioxidants that have anticancer properties.
• Whole grains like brown rice, wheat, barley, rye, and quinoa have plenty of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fibers which lowers risk of breast cancer.
• Walnut, almonds and peanuts reduce breast cancer risk.
• Yogurt contains probiotics that help reduce breast cancer risk.

Also Read Homeopathic Medicine for Cancer

What is the role of homeopathy in the treatment of breast cancer?

Homeopathy is known to be a safe and effective treatment option for various breast diseases. Some studies have found a favorable role of homeopathy in the treatment of breast cancer when given along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Homeopathy improves the treatment outcome in such cases and also helps to reduce the side effects of conventional treatment for breast cancer. It is advised to refer to a trained homeopathic physician for treatment rather than self drugging at home.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer is one of the commonest forms of cancers prevalent today. Painless or tender breast nodules, nipple retraction, nipple discharge, swollen lymph nodes around collar bone and armpits are some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Positive personal or family history of breast cancer, unhealthy weight, consuming excess of fried food, alcohol and red meat, having early onset of menarche and delayed menopause, and excess hormonal exposure in the form of birth control pills or hormonal replacement therapy are risk factors for breast cancer. On the other hand, measures like active and healthy lifestyle, healthy weight, restricted alcohol intake, breastfeeding, and regular screening in patients with positive family history, are helpful in preventing breast cancer. Certain foods that can shrink breast cysts should be included in the diet. Breast cancer diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, fermented foods, nuts especially walnuts, herbs, spices, fatty fish, beans and whole grains. Many instances show promising results in managing cases of breast cancer with homeopathy when used along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thus, one may always opt for Homeopathy as a supportive treatment in such cases.