17 Foods that Prevent Breast Cancer - Foods to Avoid and Take

Breast cancer is a type of deadly cancer that develops in the breasts due to the formation of tumour cells. It is the most prevalent class of cancer in women all around the globe. Men are also at risk of developing breast cancer. However, the chances are not as much as for females.

The common causes of breast cancer include:

1. Urban lifestyle
2. Obesity
3. Radiation susceptibility
4. Dense breasts 
5. Ageing 
6. Genetic mutations
7. Inadequate diets and fast foods also play a significant role in forming breast cancer. 

Below are 17 foods that help to fight breast cancer. However, breast cancer patients must talk to their doctors before taking any food or diets. 

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cabbage and other members of the cabbage family are cruciferous vegetables. They are among the best breast cancer-fighting foods. They naturally consist of Glucosinolates, which, when consumed, get converted into Isothiocyanates (ITCs) in the body. These ITCs help to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. Some main Isothiocyanates include benzyl ITC, sulforaphane, and phenethyl ITC.

Other cruciferous vegetables that help fight breast cancer are:

1. Broccoli
2. Cauliflower
3. Brussels sprouts

Allium Veggies 

Allium is a Greek term for garlic. Regardless, these veggies boast around 500 species. A high intake of allium vegetables is extensively useful against breast cancer. They contain a protective compound called organosulfur compounds. These compounds possess brilliant anti-cancer properties and are beneficial to breast cancer. 

Some of the best breast cancer-fighting allium vegetables include:

1. Garlic
2. Onion
3. Chives (Green stems of onions and garlic)

Spinach

Spinach is one of the best anti-cancer foods. It contains antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These antioxidants, especially beta carotene, help reduce breast cancer risk by disturbing cancer cells' growth.

Apart from spinach, other leafy green vegetables that prevent breast cancer are:

1. Mustard (Sarson) 
2. Fenugreek (Methi)  
3. Lamb’s quarter (Bathua)
4. Radish (Mooli)

Pumpkin

One of the best fruits for cancer patients, precisely for breast cancer patients, is pumpkin. It consists of fibres and beta-carotene, which are beneficial against breast cancer.

Beans 

1. Beans are healthy for the breast as they contain high amounts of fibre. Total fibre consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 8%. 
2. Other than that, beans also have anti-cancer components, flavonoids. That is the reason beans have emerged as one of the best breast cancer-fighting foods. 

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are one of the best fruits for cancer patients. They comprise Citrus folium and Nobiletin (NOB). Apart from that, they also contain Carotenoids and Beta carotene. All of them make great anti-cancer agents. Thus, together they inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. 

Some of the impactful citrus fruits are:

1. Lemons
2. Limes
3. Grapefruits
4. Oranges

Pomegranate

1. Pomegranate comprises useful components, such as anthocyanin, ursolic acid, ellagic acid, omega-5 fatty acids, etc. They possess anti-estrogen activity, which helps to kill the breast tumour cells in the body.
2. According to a study, consuming pomegranate juice reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Berries

The bioactive elements present in berries inhibit the growth of tumour cells.  Therefore, it turns out to be fruitful against breast cancer. A study suggests that high consumption of berries directly correlates with increased breast cancer patients' survival rates. 

Apples and Pears

Apple’s phytochemical and flavonoid, quercetin has anti-cancer properties. This is what makes apples one of the anti-cancer foods. A detailed NIH study reports apples to be associated with reduced risk of cancer. Moreover, pears contain anti-cancer agents too.

Walnuts

Walnuts are a hub for healthy fats and alpha-linolenic acid. Eating walnuts daily might profoundly impact the slowing down of breast tumours. It also reduces the risk of breast cancer, for the same. Urolithins, a compound found in walnuts, are believed to repress breast cancer tumours.

Turmeric

Curcumin, a chemical compound found in turmeric, has significant anti-cancer properties. This compound helps fight breast cancer by invading and killing the cancer cells in the breast. It also disturbs the birth cycle of the affected cells. Therefore, turmeric is a great source to fight breast cancer. 

Flaxseed

1. Consuming flaxseed is highly fruitful for breast cancer patients. It also reduces the risk of breast cancer in healthy women. Flaxseeds are abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and alpha-linolenic acid. All of them make a powerful resource to help prevent breast cancer. 
2. Further, flaxseed contains lignans, which restrict cell growth with its cancer-preventive quality.  

Cumin

Cumin plays a crucial role in working against breast cancer. Its seed and chief component, Thymoquinone, carry chemopreventive features. They work together to suppress the growth of tumour cells. Thus, cumin is considered to be propitious against breast cancer. 

Whole Grains

Whole grains are home to essential bioactive phytochemicals that work against breast cancer. Their consumption can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 47%.

List of whole grains beneficial against breast cancer are as follows:

1. Wheat
2. Quinoa
3. Brown Rice 
4. Barley
5. Oatmeal

Fermented Products

Fermented products consist of probiotics. These probiotics stop the growth of dividing cancer cells. Therefore, they are deemed to be effective against breast cancer.

Some fermented products useful against breast cancer are:

1. Yoghurt
2. Soy Products
3. Kefir

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains MUFA and polyphenols. They both display an inverse association with breast cancer. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) helps the body fight against cancerous cells. 

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish oil helps prevent the risk of breast cancer by ceasing or slowing down the formation of breast cancer cells. In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are a proven source to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

A few of the best fatty fish for preventing breast cancer are:

1. Salmon (Ravas)
2. Tuna (Kera)
3. Sardines (Pedve)
4. Mackerel (Bangada)

Several foods should be avoided to help prevent breast cancer. If consumed in high amounts, these foods might ignite tumour cell formation.

Here is a list of foods breast cancer patients must avoid: 

Refined Carbs

1. Refined carbs, such as carbohydrates if consumed in high quantities, lead to weight gain and thus obesity. Therefore, it should be avoided to help prevent breast cancer.
2. One should consume whole grains more than refined carbs. 

Red Meat 

1. A Harvard study reports consuming red meat in early adulthood might increase the chances of breast cancer by 13%. 

Junk Foods 

1. Junk and fried foods may carry carcinogenic elements in them. Not only that, these foods invite obesity too, a close friend of breast cancer. 

Ultra-Processed Foods

1. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contain carcinogenic agents. Thus, it should be avoided. Some UPFs are ice cream, biscuits, and carbonated drinks.  

Sugar 

1. Sugar and sugary drinks have no direct contact with breast cancer. However, these drinks may cause obesity, leading to breast cancer.

Alcohol

1. Alcohol is considered one of the major reasons for breast cancer development. WHO reports 7 out of 100 new breast cancer cases in Europe were due to the consumption of alcohol. 

To conclude, consume a diet that contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish. These foods possess anti-cancer agents such as phytochemicals, carotenoids, vitamin B and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium. Also, you should avoid eating fried foods, alcohol, red meat, and processed foods. 

Talk to your doctor if you have breast cancer or want to reduce its risk. Get yourself a diet that focuses on decreasing the chances of breast cancer. You can also contact the HexaHealth team of doctors and receive expert advice for free. Visit HexaHealth for a FREE appointment right now!