Take Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer

[QuilterMom]

http://www.publix.com/wellness/green...1&childId=1142

Besides eating a healthy diet, take a multivitamin/ mineral formula, high in antioxidants and cancer-protective nutrients such as selenium, folate, and vitamins B12, D, and E. Also make exercise a regular part of your life. Here's why diet and physical activity are so important.
A Hormone-Sensitive Diet
Women with high estrogen levels have an increased risk for breast cancer because this hormone causes cells to divide and grow. Estrogens include those produced in your body as well as xenoestrogens, synthetic substances that mimic the activity of natural estrogens. Xenoestrogens can be found in many fuels, pesticides, and plastics.

Select organic foods as often as possible. In addition to containing fewer xenoestrogens since harmful pesticides aren't used, the higher levels of antioxidants in organic foods can help lower your cancer risk. When organic produce is not an option, wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove dirt and wax.

Eat more soy. Studies suggest that phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) in soy counteract the harmful effects of xenoestrogens. In addition, soy and other plant-based proteins are low in saturated fat.

Emphasize essential fatty acids (EFAs). Replace saturated and animal fats, which are linked to increased incidence of several cancers, with healthy fats. Eat more fatty fish like wild-caught salmon, add flaxseed oil to your salads, and add pumpkin seeds or walnuts to your diet.

Enjoy a plant-based diet, rich in natural medicines from phytochemicals. Indole-3 carbinol (found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower) is known to help reduce the risk of breast cancer. It stops cancer cells from growing, slows down the action of estrogen in breast cancer cells, and Inhibits tumor growth.

Drink green tea. It helps activate enzymes that aid in the detoxification of carcinogens, according to Christine Horner, MD. Green tea contains polyphenols, one of which has been found to slow breast cancer growth. This tea also lowers estradiol, and estrogen that's associated with a higher risk for cancer.

Avoid trans fats and sugar. Trans fats (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats) are manufactured fats found in many processed foods (particularly conventional cookies, crackers, cakes, and chips). They produce free radicals, dangerous molecules that damage the DNA in your cells, and increase inflammation, which, in turn, created more free radicals. Both inflammation and free radicals are implicated in breast cancer.


Sugar weakens your immune system ¿ one of your best defenses against breast cancer. Eating sugar also causes your insulin levels to rise, increasing your risk for breast cancer, feeding cancer cells, and interfering with EFA function.
Work Out Regularly
Since high estrogen levels increase your risk for breast cancer, the heavier you are, the greater your risk. This is because excess estrogens are stored in fat tissues. Organochlorines, man- made chemicals that act like estrogens, are also stored in fat. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly lower your risk for breast cancer and other chronic illnesses. Studies show that you can reduce your risk for breast cancer as much as 20 to 50 percent with just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day, three to five days a week.

SELECTED SOURCES
"Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake and Premenopausal Breast Cancer Risk¿" by J. Linseisen et al., International Journal of Cancer, 6/10/04
"How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off," Women's Health Letter, 1/01
"State of the Evidence: What Is the Connection between Chemicals and Breast Cancer?" edited by Nancy Evans, Breast Cancer Fund/Breast Cancer Action, 2002
Waking the Warrior Goddess by Christine Horner, MD ($24.95, Basic Health, 2005)

Reduce Cancer Risk With Exercise
Recent research shows that exercise helps reduce the risk of breast and other cancers. Now, new findings from the Nurses' Health Study suggest that physical activity also lowers mortality among women with breast cancer, whether the disease is diagnosed early or after cancer has spread.
"Women don't have to run marathons," says lead investigator Michelle D. Holmes, MD, DrPH, at Harvard Medical School, whose findings suggest that hormonal factors play a role. "The most logical explanation is that physical activity lowers hormone levels, and the lower hormone levels reduce the chance of [cancer] recurrence," she explains.

The biggest benefit occurred among women who walked three to five hours a week at an average pace. Although exercise is no substitute for medical treatment and may often be difficult for exhausted cancer patients, it is "something women can do that doesn't involve drugs and side effects," says Debbie Saslow of the American Cancer Society. "...if you can [exercise], this [study] says you might benefit."

SELECTED SOURCES
"Physical Activity and Survival after Breast Cancer Diagnosis" by Michelle D. Holmes, MD, DrPH, et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, 5/25/05
"Study: Exercise Helps Odds against Breast Cancer" by Rob Stein, Washington Post, 5/24/05

[HandyMom]

Can Wearing a Bra Kill You?

http://chetday.com/breastcancerandbras.htm

[SewCrafty]

Thank you Kim and HandyMom, both are very interesting articles. I plan on doing some more research on them.