Change Your Diet To Prevent Breast Cancer
Fitness, October 2001

Research shows that the sooner you start eating healthy, the less likely you are to develop any chronic disease, including breast cancer.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. With 10 daily servings, you'll get antioxidants and carotenoids, which reduce the risk of breast cancer.
2. Get soy from food, not supplements. Eat three servings of soy a week for isoflavones which may reduce estrogen production and prevent tumor growth.
3. Reduce fat intake. Aim for less than 30 percent of your daily calories to be from fat. But you can eat "good" fats, like those in fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids and mono-unsaturated fats, found in olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
4. Add flaxseed. Just two tablespoons of ground flaxseed per day can slow tumor growth.
5. Avoid alcohol. Two alcoholic beverages a day increased breast cancer risk by 25 percent. Aim for fewer than two drinks per week.