The battle of breast cancer is not an easy feat. It takes strength, courage, and pure grit to undergo the journey of cancer treatment. Triple-negative breast cancer is the most challenging opponent for women who fight breast cancer. African-American women are most affected by this type of breast cancer.
Like an Olympic boxer who bobs, weaves, and blocks punch, triple-negative breast cancer doesn’t leave many options for a TKO. This is because triple-negative breast cancer cells do not have the 3 receptors (HER-2, ER, and PR) that chemotherapy uses to defeat other breast cancers.
Without the presence of these receptors, doctors face some challenges developing a treatment plan to kill triple-negative breast cancer cells. However, the plan of attack is improving! New studies and research are showing us how to fight and prevent triple-negative breast cancer from the kitchen!
Pour Up Another Cup!
Not only does your morning coffee kickstart your day, but it can also help you to kick cancer’s butt! According to a study, women who drink 5 or more cups of coffee in a day were 57 percent less likely to develop breast cancer that doesn’t have the estrogen receptor (ER).
This means that if breast cancer does develop, chemotherapy drugs are more targeted to killing the cancer cells.
How does coffee do this? Coffee contains a plant-based chemical called phytoestrogen. Since phytoestrogens act like estrogen in the body, they can decrease the risk of certain types of breast cancer. More specifically, a phytoestrogen called enterolactone is associated with decreasing the risk of estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer.
Add a Dash or Two…or Three!
Seasoning your dishes with fresh herbs is not only a good way to cut back on the salt, but herbs like thyme and parsley are powerhouses for fighting triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that these herbs along with other foods like celery, broccoli, peppers, and cabbages contain a natural compound called luteolin.