Diet, Exercise Decrease Risk of Breast Cancer

While science offers no guarantees, multiple research studies suggests you can lower your risk of getting breast cancer by taking a few simple defensive measures:

• Eat more fruits and veggies. Five servings (3 or more cups) daily are recommended. Plants contain substances that protect cells the from damage that can lead to cancer growth. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage contain particularly potent cancer fighters. So stock up next time you're at the store and Go Green to stay in the Pink!
• Eat less fat. Diets high in fat usually include more calories and cause weight gain. Studies on connections between fat and cancer have been inconclusive to date, but weight gain, particularly after menopause, is strongly associated with increased cancer risk.
• Drink less alcohol. The use of alcohol has been clearly linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. One drink a day increases your risk only slightly over non-drinkers, but risk escalates quickly as alcohol consumption increases. (Remember, one drink = 5 oz. wine, 12 oz. beer or 1 oz. liquor. Those giant margaritas you love at your favorite Mexican restaurant, each of those can count as 2 to 3 drinks!)
• Add soy. There are no definitive studies on the merits of soy as a cancer deterrent, but Asian women who eat soy all their lives have a significantly lower incidence of breast cancer. Researchers suspect that benefits are greater if soy is a part of your diet from a young age, as opposed to being added to your diet after menopause. At any rate, soy is a healthy food, so it sure can't hurt to add it to your diet, and it might help.
• Exercise. There is growing evidence that regular exercise (30 minutes, 3 times or more a week) reduces breast cancer risk. In fact, exercise is a crucial element of good health and can significantly reduce your risk of other diseases such as heart attack, stroke and diabetes. One thing to remember, it's cumulative exercise time that counts. Ten minutes three times a day is just as good as 30 minutes once a day. So get out there and get moving!
• Enjoy your coffee. Thank heavens caffeine doesn't increase your risk of breast cancer. So you don't have to feel guilty when you sit down with that well-earned cup of java after a day of healthy eating and exercise.