Breast Cancer Prevention

Also indexed as:Cancer, Breast
A healthy lifestyle offers protection now. What changes can you make to reduce your breast cancer risk or ease your treatment? According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

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Choose your fat wiselyWomen in countries that eat high amounts of meat and dairy fat have a high breast cancer risk, while women in countries that mostly eat rice, soy, vegetables, and fish have a low risk.
Feast on fiber Many studies have shown that people who eat plenty of whole grains have a lower risk for breast cancer.
Fill up on fruits and veggiesAlthough not proven, a diet high in fruits and vegetables may afford some protection against breast cancer.
Go fishFish eaters have been reported to have a low risk of breast cancer, possibly due to fish’s high omega-3 fatty acid content.
Go vegetarianCompared with meat eaters, most studies have found that vegetarians are less likely to be diagnosed with cancer.
Pour on the olive oilOlive oil in the diet has been associated with low breast cancer risk in some preliminary reports.
Stay tuned about soyThe commonly held belief that eating soy foods will protect against breast cancer is far from proven.
Team up with tomatoesHigh in the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes have been shown to protect against a variety of cancers including breast cancer.
Cut down on alcoholLimit your intake to lower your risk: Studies show that women who drink alcohol have a higher breast cancer risk than those who abstain.
Reduce your sugarStudies have shown that women who eat high amounts of sugar-containing foods have had an increased breast cancer risk, whether the association may be due to other dietary or lifestyle factors is unknown.
Watch the meatSome studies have shown that eating meat is linked to increased breast cancer risk, although the association may depend on whether the meat is well-done, which introduces more carcinogens.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.