The statistics are well-known but still shocking: Every year, more than 330,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 43,000 die from it. Those frightening numbers are a relatively recent development: Breast cancer rates have more than doubled over the last few decades.
During my more than 20 years as a practicing gynecologist, I’ve seen a growing number of cases among my patients. I think there are several reasons for this steady rise:
Researchers at Harvard Medical School analyzed data from 20 studies on fiber and breast cancer and found that people who ate the most fiber lowered their risk of breast cancer by 18 percent.
Why it works: Higher fiber intake feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut, crowding out unfriendly bacteria. It also bulks up your stool and helps counter constipation, both of which help with estrogen detoxification.
What to do: Increase your intake of high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. To ensure maximum fiber intake, consider taking a fiber supplement, too. Psyllium husk works great.
In a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, women who ate a dish spiced with onion and garlic more than once a day had a 67 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who never ate onions or garlic.
Why it works: Onions and garlic are loaded with prebiotics, a type of fiber that feeds probiotics, allowing them to flourish in your gut. Probiotics may help increase levels of estrobolome, a type of bacteria that specifically metabolizes estrogen.
What to do: Make sure you eat a dish containing onion or garlic at least five days a week.
In a seven-year study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers analyzed health data from more than 40,000 women. They found that women who ate the most red meat had a 23 percent higher risk of breast cancer than those who ate the least. However, those who ate the most poultry had a 15 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared with those who ate the least. Women who substituted poultry for red meat had a 28 percent lower risk of breast cancer.
Why it works: Red meat typically delivers high levels of fat and growth hormones, both of which have been linked to breast cancer.
What to do: Eat red meat no more than a few times a month. Increase your intake of organic poultry. You might also want to eat more wild-caught fatty fish like salmon and sardines. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and studies link a higher intake of omega-3s with a lower risk of breast cancer.
Many studies link regular exercise to a lower risk of breast cancer. Now, a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows the unique power of exercise for secondary prevention, too. Looking at more than 1,300 women diagnosed with breast cancer, the study found that women who exercised at a moderate intensity for at least 2.5 hours per week before and after their cancer diagnosis were 55 percent less likely to have their cancer return and 68 percent less likely to die of the disease. Even women who started exercising after the diagnosis were 46 percent less likely to have a recurrence and 43 percent less likely to die of the disease.
Why it works: Regular exercise helps improve and regulate nearly every cell, tissue, system, and organ—including strengthening your immune system, your main defense against cancer. Regular exercise also reduces circulating estrogen.
What to do: Aim for a weekly minimum of 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise like brisk walking, biking, water aerobics, dancing, doubles tennis, or hiking.
A study of more than 180,000 women published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who lost weight after the age of 50 and kept it off had a lower risk of breast cancer. And the more weight they lost, the lower the risk. Women who lost 20 pounds or more decreased risk by 26 percent. But even women who lost 5 to 10 pounds decreased their risk by 13 percent.
Why it works: Fat cells generate estrone, the type of estrogen generated after menopause. It is even a more stimulatory hormone than estradiol, which is generated by the ovaries, and can cause growth in breast tissue that leads to cancer.
What to do: Look at the main cause of your overweight. It’s different for each person. Are you eating too much? Are you an emotional eater? Are you not exercising enough? Is your thyroid out of whack? Is your stress too high? Explore and address the causes of your weight gain—ideally, with the help of a physician, health coach, or weight loss program.
An eight-year study published in the International Journal of Cancer looked at more than 46,000 women and their use of permanent hair dyes and straighteners. The researchers found a consistent pattern of increased risk for breast cancer in women who used the products in the year before the study began:
What happens: Hair dye and straighteners contain endocrine disruptors, and the latter also contains formaldehyde, a carcinogen.
What to do: It’s best to just avoid these products.
