How to Protect Against Breast Cancer

A healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent breast (and other forms of) cancer. Many studies have revealed that breast cancer rates in countries such as Japan are much lower than in America, largely due to diet and lifestyle choices. Follow the healthy eating and lifestyle tips below to protect yourself from breast cancer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Maintain a healthy weight. Body fat produces estrogens (hormones linked to breast cancer). Studies show that heavier women are more likely to be diagnosed with postmenopausal breast cancer than those with less body fat.

2. Avoid saturated fat. Saturated fats are linked to higher risks of many kinds of cancer, including breast cancer.

3. Avoid red meat. Women who rarely eat red meat or avoid it all together have a much lower risk of breast cancer.

4. Limit alcohol consumption. A drink once and awhile won't heart, but one drink per day can raise your risk of breast cancer by as much as 10% compared to women who don't drink.

5. Eat more fruits, vegetables and legumes. It is believed that foods rich in fiber help eliminate extra hormones in your body by carrying them out with your waste (women should try to eat 25-35 grams of fiber per day). Foods with folic acid also have anticancer properties.

6. Eat lots of mushrooms. Eating a few mushrooms everyday can reduce breast cancer risk by as much as 64%!

7. Be physically active. Try averaging thiry minutes of physical activity 3-5 days a week--this will also make weight control easier.