Certain foods can ease woes over breast cancer
10:53 a.m. Monday, October 15, 2007
Doctors say diet can play a factor in our risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol consumption
Watch your alcohol consumption. Cornell University researchers and WebMD, among other resources, cite large quantities of alcohol can have an impact on the development of breast cancer.
Men should drink no more than two alcoholic beverages each day, and women should only drink one.
Learn more: Cornell.edu.
While no specific foods have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer, diets high in sugar and calories can cause weight gain, which is a risk factor for breast cancer, said Amber Groeling, health educator with the Shawnee County Health Agency.
"Certain fats such as saturated fat may increase breast cancer risk," she said. "Those type of fats are found in butter."
She recommends olive oil as a substitute.
Something many women drink could cause breast cancer: alcohol.
Several studies have shown that drinking too much alcohol can increase a person's risk for developing breast cancer.
Foods high in antioxidants can help prevent cell damage, so consuming them may prevent breast cancer or other forms of cancer, Groeling said.
The best sources of antioxidants are deeply colored fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, spinach, carrots, apples and whole grains.
Groeling says steaming and microwaving are the best ways to preserve nutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables. Boiling foods for a long time will reduce the nutrient value, she added.
About Shawnee County Health Agency
For more information stop by the Shawnee County Health Agency, 1615 SW 8th Ave. or call them at (785) 368-2000 or log on to www.co.shawnee.ks.us.
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