Breast cancer is a disease where cells in the tissues in the breast grow abnormally or without control. These cancerous cells may aggregate and form tumors. Aggressive breast tumors often spread to distant parts of your body and invade other organs. In the United States, breast cancer is a malignancy afflicting 1 out of 8 women in their lifetimes. Men can also have breast cancer, but their risk for developing it is much lower than it is for women. Fruits and vegetables containing high amounts of phytochemicals and antioxidants may be desirable in the diet of breast cancer patients.
Flaxseed
Flaxseeds, or linseeds, are hard, tiny seeds of the flax plant. They are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, dietary fiber and lignans. Each of these flaxseed ingredients contributes to anti-tumor effects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Lignans are estrogen antagonists, so they can work against estrogen, a natural steroid hormone, which in some cases stimulates breast cancer cells to proliferate.
Tomatoes
Red tomatoes provide a carotenoid pigment called lycopene, which has been found to alter the progression of breast cancer in animal research models, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes cell-damaging free radicals found in your body. Scientists say that free radicals can initiate cancer development by damaging cells' DNA.
Soy Foods
Eating a diet containing high amounts of soy may be helpful in reducing the size and aggressiveness of estrogen-dependent cancers, including breast cancer, according to Cornell University. Soy isoflavones act as anti-estrogens and block the actions of the body's own estrogen hormone, which sometimes causes breast cancer to grow.
References
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center: Breast Cancer
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center: Flaxseed: A Review of Health Benefits
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Cornell University: Estrogen & Breast Cancer Risk: Factors of Exposure
- Iowa State University: The Health Benefits of Functional Foods
- University of Michigan Health System: Breast Cancer
