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The statistics are sobering. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canadian women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. And yes, breast can occur in men.
It will affect one in eight women in their lifetime. In the year 2022, 28,600 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada. Twenty-five percent of all new cancers are diagnosed as breast cancer and 14% of all cancer deaths are from breast cancer. It is estimated that one in 34 women will die of breast cancer in their lifetime.
With improved diagnosis and better treatment, the five-year survival rate for non-metastatic breast cancer is 91%. The 10-year survival rate is 84% and the 15-year survival rate is 80%. The risk of dying from breast cancer was 14.4% in the early 1990s and, by 2015, that has dropped to 4.9%. Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes with better treatments.
Self-exams are still recommended to identify any unusual chest asymmetry, dimpling or hardening lumps. Screening mammography is recommended every two to three years in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 74 years and in women with moderate risk factors.
Ultrasound is usually only recommended to identify if the spot is solid or cystic. Thermography is an unconventional test that analyzes heat patterns in breast tissue that has not been accepted by mainstream medicine as a reliable diagnostic test.
Known risk factors for breast cancer include increasing age, family history, BRCA gene mutation, post-menopause, hormone exposure – particularly to exogenous oestrogens – high alcohol intake, being overweight or obese and being sedentary without any physical activity. Other less well known risk factors include early onset of menstruation, late first birth or no children, late onset of menopause and not breastfeeding. Being taller increases your risk of breast cancer slightly, as does exposure to radiation and pesticides. Diet can also play an important role in the development of breast cancer. And, yes, smoking is probably not good.
Certain Asian countries such as Japan and Thailand, as well as African countries such as Uganda and Zimbabwe, have far fewer cases of breast cancer than North American and European countries. Researchers believe this is, in part, due to genetics and factors of a healthier diet and lifestyle.
A healthier diet that reduces fats (especially saturated fats), white sugar and refined foods, including less white flour and processed grains, less dairy products, less or no alcohol, limited coffee and caffeine consumption , moderate consumption of meat and animal products and rich in whole grains, cereals, beans and legumes and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables are strongly recommended.
There are natural cancer-fighting chemicals in cruciferous vegetables, or cabbage, including bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and others. These vegetables are rich in compounds such as DIM or di-indole methane and I3C or indole 3 carbinol. DIM and I3C facilitate the breakdown of exogenous estrogens into forms that are less active and do not stimulate breast tissue. North American women typically consume less than 20 milligrams of these compounds per day from these vegetable sources. Asian women consume more than 100 milligrams per day of these compounds.
Foods rich in Vitamin A also have anti-cancer properties. Foods rich in vitamin A include orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, yellow peppers, pumpkin and squash. Foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene can reduce your risk of developing cancer, including breast cancer.
Dark green leafy vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, romaine lettuce, spinach and kale are rich in the B-vitamin folic acid. Folic acid is an important methyl donor in the body that plays an important role in the detoxification of toxic compounds and chemicals. A diet rich in folic acid foods can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Soybeans are rich in compounds called isoflavones. One of the main isoflavones found in soy is genistein. Isolfavones interact like genestein and block estrogen receptors on breast tissue. They also block enzymes that promote tumor growth. That is similar in mechanism to the drug Tamoxifen, which is used to treat breast cancer.
Asian women typically eat 35 grams of soybeans per day, delivering the equivalent of 150 milligrams of isoflavones. North American women eat less than two grams of soy products per day, and deliver only about four milligrams of isoflavones.
Some people argue that soy contains exogenous estrogens and that breast cancer patients should not eat it. Most nutritional experts agree that moderate consumption of soy products is fine in cases of breast cancer.
Diet and nutrition can play an important factor in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
A healthier diet containing whole foods, dark green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of developing the disease.
The information provided in this article is not, and is not intended to be, medical advice. All information is for general information purposes only.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
