To date, scientists still cannot say with certainty what is the cause of breast cancer (BC), but it has been proven that a combination of many risk factors, including diet and lifestyle, can increase the risk of developing this disease.
An important role in "keeping tumor cells dormant" is played by the immune system, whose active status also depends on nutrition and lifestyle. Therefore, switching to a healthy diet that eliminates the ingestion of carcinogens and increases the intake of fiber (vegetables, fruits) and protein foods (legumes, meat, fish), not only normalizes weight and, as a result, hormonal levels, but also improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In turn, this improves the general condition of patients and increases their physical activity. Therefore, it can be concluded that not specific foods, but overall improvement of the general condition against the background of normalization of nutrition and the formation of a healthy (correct) lifestyle improve the prognosis of patients not only with breast cancer, but also any other disease.
We bring to your attention a translation of an article with an overview of useful products from the point of view of preventing the development and recurrence of breast cancer, published on the CNN website:
There is an opinion that improving eating behavior increases the likelihood that a woman will not get breast cancer or avoid a relapse. Not all oncologists share the opinion about the relationship between nutrition and life expectancy, citing insufficient evidence. But nutrition doctors say that women should not only follow the principles of a healthy diet, but also include certain foods in their diet to increase their chances of survival.
Soy
Dr. Barry Boyd, founder of the integrative medicine program at Greenwich Hospital at Yale University and director of the Department of Nutrition Oncology, says women should not be afraid of soy.
"There were concerns that soy contains substances with estrogen-like effects that promote the growth of breast cancer cells," says Boyd. "Science has proven not only the absence of risk, but also the possible beneficial effects."
Boyd cites a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that examined soy consumption in the United States and China in 9,500 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the researchers, the consumption of isoflavones contained in soy caused a "statistically significant reduction in the risk of recurrence" in women who had invasive breast cancer.
A study published this year in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention showed similar results. This analysis examined more than 11,000 breast cancer patients. The researchers concluded that soy consumption after diagnosis was accompanied by a reduced risk of mortality and recurrence of the disease.
The American Cancer Society makes more cautious recommendations and notes that although soy is a good alternative source of protein, "women with breast cancer should consume it in moderation" and avoid taking soy-based pills, powders, and dietary supplements containing large amounts of isoflavones.
Cabbage, sweet potatoes and pumpkin
Eating foods rich in carotenoids was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence. Carotenoids are natural pigments found in yellow and orange-colored foods (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins) and greens with dark green leaves, such as cabbage, spinach, and leafy beets.
In a 2009 study published in Cancer Epidemiology, increased carotenoid intake was accompanied by "an increased likelihood of breast cancer absence." The results of the report are based, in particular, on an analysis of women's lifestyle conducted with the financial support of the National Institutes of Health-funded
investigation.
To increase carotenoid intake, Dr. Mitchell Gaynor advises his breast cancer patients to eat more cruciferous vegetables. Gaynor, founder of the Gaynor Center for Integrative Oncology, provides a simple explanation: "Today's ideas about cancer are quite different from those that prevailed in the 1970s, when President Nixon declared war on cancer. Now we know that some foods create unfavorable conditions in the body for the development of cancer cells. Our goal is to keep cancer cells in a dormant state, and for that, it's important what you eat."
Examples of cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, curly, cabbage, and cauliflower.
Salmon, haddock and cod
Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids is also associated with an improved prognosis for breast cancer. This category of fish includes salmon, haddock, cod, halibut and sardines.
A study published in 2011 in the Journal of Nutrition showed that the consumption of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (EGC) fatty acids found in fish "suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer cells" and reduces the "progression of breast tumors." In women who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and who received large amounts of EPA and DHA simultaneously with treatment, the risk of recurrence decreased by about 25%
.
It is important to note that this beneficial effect was observed only when eating fish, and not fish oil supplements.
Gaynor says that eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids is also good for health, as it promotes the proper functioning of the immune system and reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes in women.
The American Cancer Society does not recommend eating a lot of fatty foods: "High-fat diets are usually high in calories. This can lead to obesity, which, in turn, is accompanied by an increased risk of several types
of cancer."
Whole grains and legumes
Women whose diets contain a lot of dietary fiber may prolong their lives.
"Following a high-fiber diet is associated with a reduction in overall mortality in breast cancer patients," says Dr. Keith Block, director of Scientific and medical Affairs at the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Therapy in Skokie, Illinois.
According to Blok, dietary fiber is useful because it helps women control their appetite and can reduce the number of calories consumed. Achieving and maintaining a normal weight, especially in the postmenopausal period, is considered one of the factors contributing to an increase in life expectancy.
"If you look at the causes of cancer, most of them are caused by excess weight," she says. "The fatter you are, the more estrogen you have in your body, and the more estrogen you have, the higher your risk of breast cancer.
"
"But cancer survival depends not only on eating certain types of vegetables or fruits. A proper lifestyle in general, including physical exercise, is important. The diet is only part of the overall system.
"
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