Diet Can Impact Breast Cancer Risk

Dietary choices impact almost every aspect of overall health and wellness. What you eat filters throughout your body to nourish, fuel and sometimes harm you.

A study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) increases concerns about diet and cancer. Statistically, dietary choices may seem minor with a 4.2% link to all cancer cases and 4.3% link to all cancer deaths. However, those risks increase dramatically for certain cancer types. Diet is among several lifestyle habits that impact the risk of breast cancer.

Despite decades of concentrated research, breast cancer remains the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Alarmingly, 1-in-8 US women develop breast cancer with one person being diagnosed every two minutes. The median age at the time of diagnosis is 62.

Louisiana has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates in the country, and breast cancer is the most common cancer for Black women.

However, women can decrease their risk by modifying certain lifestyle behaviors.

Watch what you eat.

Diet can impact breast cancer development in several ways. Following Mediterranean diets that are rich in plant foods and low in animal products and refined carbohydrates can lower risk. Remember to “eat the rainbow” with a colorful variety of yellow, orange, dark green and red fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains. This Mediterranean diet resource offers tips for menu planning and even grocery lists.

Excessive iron—derived primarily from meat—and certain fats can increase risk. Limit or exclude red meats, sugary drinks and highly processed foods. Diets higher in calcium and vitamin D may reduce risk. Postmenopausal women often experience vitamin D deficiencies, so stay current on wellness visits to monitor your levels.

Control your weight.

Weight gain throughout adulthood and particularly for women after menopause increases breast cancer risk. Rising rates of obesity in this country underscores the need for informed dietary choices and physical activity to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases.

Increase physical activity.

Along with eating healthily, moderate to vigorous physical activity helps lower risk for post-menopausal cancer and may also reduce risk for pre-menopausal women. ACS recommends 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week.

Limit alcohol consumption.

As alcohol increases risk for pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer, it‘s best not to drink at all. Otherwise, limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day.

Follow the guidelines.

The experts at Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute recommend the following breast cancer awareness guidelines:

• Begin screening mammograms between ages 40 and 44
• Continue annual mammograms from ages 45 to 54
• At age 55, women of average risk can continue annual or switch to biennial mammograms

Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and expects to live another 10 years or more

For more information call Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute at (985) 493-4008, or visit thibodaux.com.