It goes without saying that healthy lifestyle choices safeguard you from many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiac problems and others. High-fat diets are primarily responsible for increasing chances of breast cancer. Obese and overweight women are at higher risks of breast cancer since the extra fat cells in the body make estrogen to promote breast cell growth.

Sticking to a fat-free food intake is recommended at all times to prevent associated cholesterol diseases and obesity-induced malady. It’s also very important to monitor your weight at regular intervals to check for your BMI (Body Mass Index) score.

To reduce cancer risks, people should keep their BMI below 25. Consult your doctor and also a nutritionist perhaps to know what you should do to maintain weight, the type of foods to eat and not to eat to ward off the risks of breast cancer and many other serious diseases.

What are the foods that increase the risk of breast cancer?

There has been a lot of research done to understand the dietary factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. Based on the evidence gathered, high-fat diets which include butter, oils, margarine; the fat in fish and meat; hidden fats in excess consumption of sweets, cookies and cakes – all contribute to an increase in the risk of breast cancer.

It is important for women to monitor their fatty-food intake, especially after menopause . Those who consume higher-levels of saturated fats are at higher risk of breast cancer, as compared to those who follow a strict diet plan. Moreover, those who consume more sugar or have high carbohydrate diets run the risk of falling prey to a specific type of breast cancer called “Oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer.”

Women are advised to monitor the health of their breasts regularly through screening tests and mammograms, especially if they observe a change in the shape of their breasts, or the formation of a new lump or mass on the breast, which can be extremely painful in certain cases. Nipple retractions, redness, scaliness, thickening of the breast skin and nipple discharge are also some of the symptoms associated with breast cancer. This calls for immediate tending, as cancer can spread to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone, to cause a lump and swelling there.

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Mammograms do not necessarily identify all types of breast cancer. So it is necessary for you to be more aware of the changes in your breast, and monitor the signs and symptoms from time to time, for prompt action and care.

Importance of Cancer-Fighting Superfoods
Unhealthy food choices and dietary habits are responsible for about 40 percent of cancers. Hence monitor your food consumption patterns closely, and opt for cancer-fighting super-foods . Also, women, who tend to become overweight or obese after menopause, should visit a healthcare professional for a regular breast checkup.

Prevention is always better than cure. With that in mind, here are some of the breast cancer-fighting foods that you need to include in your diet:

• Eat at least four servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Opt for a diet rich in fiber to supply your body with essential vitamins and nutrients. Fibrous food has low calories and little fat-consumption when cooked into a vegetable.
• Opt for oils that possess monounsaturated fats such as olive oil and rapeseed oil. Olive oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, that prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases and many forms of silent cancer cell growth.
• Phyto oestrogens found in soya bean products (containing isoflavones), the fibre of whole grain, wheat and flax seeds (lignans) can be consumed liberally without worrying about the after effects.
• Eat more fiber, whole-grain bread, oatmeal, 100% fresh organic juice (instead of a tetra pack sugary boost). Include wheat bran fibre in your diet, as it helps lower the levels of oestrogen in the blood for women who are yet to experience menopause. Lower oestrogen levels reduce the risk of breast cancer.
• Include green leafy vegetables in your diet such as broccoli, cabbage and okra, but not spinach.
• Buy non-fat skimmed milk to complement your changing lifestyle dietary choices.
• Buy fat-free yoghurts, almonds, baby carrots and orange strips to snack on. This helps you detox and fills your tummy with a highly-nutritious vitamin-enriched feed.
• Higher levels of flavonoids are found in onions, broccoli, green tea, chamomile tea, fresh fruits and aromatic herbs such as parsley. Flavonoids have been found to be significant anti-cancer agents.

Foods to be avoided by breast cancer patients

Stick to a healthy diet plan to avoid breast cancer risks. However, if diagnosed with a type and stage of breast cancer, then there are some foods you should completely avoid to safeguard your body from any further harm. It will also help prevent the sporadic growth of cancer cells around areas of the breast showing signs of lump or uneasiness.

• Avoid saturated fat consumption in the form of direct animal fats found in meat and poultry.
• Avoid trans fats, mostly found in cookies, chips, fried foods, pastries and other baked products.
• Avoid processed meats and cold cuts, usually high in salts, preservatives and saturated fats.
• Avoid salt-cured pickles and smoked foods comprising of nitrates promoting high blood pressure issues.

Consult a medical practitioner and a nutritionist for a dietary plan that needs to be followed during chemotherapy and after for breast cancer patients. Some chemo drugs can cause patients to feel nauseated, with diarrhoea being another after effect during therapy. Doctors might suggest short-time fasting during chemotherapy to reduce any after effects.

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Chemotherapy can cause a drop in white blood cell levels, reducing the immunity of breast cancer patients to infections and harmful bacteria. It is thus essential for breast cancer patients and survivors to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and dietary choices. Eat right and monitor your weight regularly to stay fit and healthy. Do not neglect the early signs of breast cancer.

Consult a registered medical expert immediately for early diagnosis with mammograms and screening tests, as advised by the doctor, before it’s too late. Shed any inhibitions you might have, speak up and notify your doctor in case of any abnormalities in breast shape or functioning observed. Only timely action can guarantee a cure.

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