Breast cancer is the most typical cancer in women, with intrusive breast cancer impacting 1 in every eight women in the United States during their lifetime. It even appears in men, though male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
DNA harm and genetic mutations may cause this condition. Inheriting specific genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can also raise your risk, as can having obesity.
Lifestyle also plays a vital role, with research correlating heavy drinking, smoking, estrogen exposure, and specific dietary patterns — including Western diets high in processed foods — to an increased chance of breast cancer.
Notably, studies associate other eating habits like the Mediterranean diet with a decreased risk of breast cancer. Moreover, distinct foods may even defend against this condition.
Here are ten foods to eat to help decrease your risk of breast cancer.
Foods that may lower breast cancer risk
Keep in mind that many elements are associated with breast cancer growth. While enhancing your diet can improve your general health and decrease your cancer risk, it’s only one puzzle piece.
You still need routine breast cancer screenings like mammograms and manual reviews, even with a nutritious diet. After all, early detection and diagnosis greatly improve survival rates. Speak to your healthcare provider for guidance about breast cancer screenings.
All the same, research indicates that these foods may reduce your risk of this disease.
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Leafy green vegetables
Kale, arugula, spinach, mustard greens, and chard are just a few leafy green vegetables that may have anti-cancer effects. Research shows that a heightened intake of folate, a B vitamin concentrated in green leafy vegetables, may defend against breast cancer.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are overflowing with compounds that may guard against breast cancer, including folate, vitamin C, and carotenoids like beta-cryptoxanthin and beta carotene, plus flavonoid antioxidants like quercetin, hesperetin, and naringenin.
These nutrients supply antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Citrus fruits include