"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." This statement made by Hippocrates in 460 B.C. still holds much value today. If you or someone you love has survived breast cancer, it is imperative to continue to support the body's healing with proper nutrition. While no single food can protect her from breast cancer, The American Institute for Cancer Research reports that there is evidence that a healthy, balanced diet may have cancer preventative effects. It is important to understand that not every diet is right for every person, and that a breast cancer survivor should speak to her health care provider to find a diet that meets her specific needs.
Plant-based Foods
The American Institute for Cancer Research promotes eating a diet rich in plant-based foods for long-term breast cancer survival. They report that eating fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains can provide the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals needed to boost cancer preventative effects. While more research still needs to be done on the specific anti-cancer effects of plant-based foods, scientists do know that the low-calorie nature of plant-based diets can reduce excess weight gain sometimes associated with cancer while providing plentiful nutrients. This is not to say that a breast cancer survivor must maintain a vegetarian or vegan diet, but rather that it is important to acknowledge the nutritional value of plant-based foods and make efforts to include them in the diet as frequently as possible.
Healthy Fats
Dr. Christine Horner promotes the use of "healthy" fats in her diet plan for breast cancer survivors. Healthy fats include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Healthy fats are found in foods such as flaxseeds, seafood, avocados and olive oil. Healthy fats are essential to the functioning of your body. Dr. Horner also makes clear that it is imperative for breast cancer survivors to avoid "unhealthy" fats such as saturated fats, trans fats and hydrogenated fats as these fats may increase breast cancer risk by as much as 50 percent.
Soy
There is much confusion and controversy over the use of soy for a breast cancer survivor's diet. For example, Dr. Horner acknowledges research that touts the breast cancer preventative effects of soy, whereas The American Cancer Society states that breast cancer survivors should use soy in moderation and avoid highly concentrated soy sources, such as soy supplements. This is because soy contains estrogen-like substances called isoflavones that may stimulate the estrogen receptors in breast cells. However, soy isoflavones are very weak sources of estrogen and may also benefit a woman's body by filling estrogen receptors and essentially blocking them from her natural, stronger estrogen. Soy intake is, therefore, a personal decision that should be discussed with a trusted health care professional while taking a woman's individual estrogen levels into account.
Sugar
Sugar should be avoided on a breast cancer survivor's diet. The American Cancer Society explains that sugar may indirectly increase cancer risk by increasing calorie intake, promoting obesity and elevating insulin levels. A woman that has survived breast cancer should minimize or entirely avoid white sugar, brown sugar and honey. This generally includes limiting foods such as cookies, cakes, pastries and soda. She may consider sugar substitutes, such as agave nectar or brown rice syrup, with the approval of her health care professional.
Alcohol
The American Cancer Society reports strong scientific evidence that links over-consumption of alcohol with increased risk of breast cancer. They state that a breast cancer survivor should limit her alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day. A drink is defined as 5 oz. of wine, 12 oz. of beer, or 1.5 oz. of distilled spirits. Further it is found that women with low stores of folate are at an increased risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol consumption. Dr. Horner also acknowledges the potential dangers of alcohol consumption as she explains that alcohol can increase estrogen and prolactin, which can increase cell division in the breast.
References
- American Institute for Cancer Research: Foods That Fight Cancer?
- American Cancer Society: Common Questions About Diet and Cancer
- Breastcancer.org: Soy Intake and Breast Cancer
- "Waking the Warrior Goddess"; Dr. Christine Horner; 2005
