Breast Cancer Prevention
Good health is not just the absence of disease or illness, it is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Scientific evidence suggests that about one-third of the cancer deaths each year are due to lack of a healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activeness. Strengthen immunity, increasing Tissue oxygenation, reducing inflammation and creating the right balance of carbs and proteins is included in healthy lifestyle.
Breast Cancer Prevention
Studies show that around 40% cases of breast cancer are preventable by adopting healthy lifestyle. Researches reveal that diet, nutrition and physical activity affect the cancer risk including breast cancer.
Recommendations help people to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. They are based on the latest science available, and derived from the extensive evidence that was analyzed for Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective – the Third Expert Report from World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute of Cancer Research.
Strengthen Immunity
Immune system plays an important role in preventing different diseases including breast cancer. Immune system also helps you during and after the treatment of breast cancer. For boosting your immune system, your first line of defence is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Breast Cancer patients wonder if there’s anything they can do to boost their immune systems — to fight off the cancer, help their bodies deal with the side effects of the treatment, and lower the risk of recurrence. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests you can take steps to help your immune system do its job. Common-sense practices such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising, and reducing stress all appear to play some role in the immune system function. Women with a strong family history of cancer should take special steps to protect themselves. About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from a parent (either the mother or the father) to the child. Considering family history, the person must be more vigilant than others and should maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Knowing the risk factors and alteration in lifestyle is considered to be effective in the prevention of breast cancer.
Breast cancer has the highest incidence and the most common cause of death from the cancer among women. Different studies indicate that gender, age, family history, personal health history, menstrual & reproductive history, dense breast tissue, lack of physical activity, poor diet, radiation on the chest, hormone replacement therapy, breastfeeding, smoking and use of alcohol are some of the factors that increase or decrease the chances of breast cancer. Because these factors are related to each other, it is difficult to assess their individual roles in breast cancer. Some of these factors are alterable, meaning that women can decrease their risk of breast cancer by changing their behaviour and way of life. Lifestyle changes seem to be an easy, effective, and economical way to help prevent breast cancer. Therefore, Pink Ribbon encourages women and girls and provide them with basic knowledge about the role of lifestyle changes in the prevention of breast cancer and the survival of patients with diagnosed breast cancer.
A healthy lifestyle is a key weapon against Breast Cancer. Healthy lifestyle includes the following.
1. Take Healthy Diet and Nutrition
Making proactive dietary choices can improve your overall well-being because it keeps your energy up, boosts your immune system, and provides nutrients your body needs for maintenance and repair. A healthy diet can help in preventing and fighting breast cancer. The food contains plenty of compounds that are very helpful in fighting against cancer cells. Food comprises nutrients that the body needs such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the precursor of all the disease states. High sugar intake and high insulin levels promote inflammation in the body. A good intake of anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce inflammation.
Decrease of Acids from the body
Good intake of alkaline foods reduces the acids in the body. A good nutrition plan can create a better alkaline environment where generally immune system works much better
Increase Tissue Oxygenation
Cancer cells thrive when there is below normal tissue oxygenation. Decreased cellular oxygen, whatever the cause, encourages the growth of cancer cells. Well balanced nutrition boost circulation and increase tissue oxygenation.
Right Balance of Carbs and Proteins
Right balance of carbs, proteins and fats can help make a perfect diet for cancer patients or otherwise. Carbohydrates are the body’s major source of energy. Carbohydrates give the body the fuel it needs for physical activity as well as proper organ function.
All foods impact the cancer cells in some way. foods can be categorized as:
- Foods that feed as catalyst for cancer cells
- Foods that can cause cancer
- Foods that boost immune system and contain nutrients
Do's
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Carrot
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Black Pepper
- Cauliflower
- Brown Rice
- Mint
- Gourd
- Apple
Dont's
- Bad fats
- Processed meat
- Overcooked and deep-fried food
- Fast food
- Refined carbs
- White and brown sugar
- Carbonated drinks and packaged juices
- Excessive tea, coffee and tea whiteners
- Commercial mayonnaise
- Products with fructose corn syrup
- Alcohol
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise and physical activity decrease the risk of breast cancer by changing the estrogen, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor. Among women Obesity and weight gain during adulthood are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer especially after menopause. So, every woman having overweight should limit high-calorie foods and beverages and increase physical activity to help with weight loss.
3. Get Adequate Sleep
Getting proper sleep and rest is necessary for good health. Minimum 8 hours of sleep is essential for both your mind and body to rest, relax and fully recover.
4. Relieve the Effect of Stress and Depression
A majority of you probably have a mind that whirls with negative thoughts. Your thoughts can eat you alive and you will not enjoy a happy and healthy life. Depression, anxiety and stress make you ill. Detox your mind by cleaning your emotional/mental clutter and stop negative thinking.
5. Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Smoking and drinking are bad for your health so quit both of them. Researches show that you can lower your risk of heart disease up to 50% if you quit smoking completely and if you give up drinking, the risk of developing cancer reduces quickly.
Change in lifestyle is not only important in preventing before it happens but holds equal significance after the diagnosis of breast cancer. Our purpose is to educate women that the role of lifestyle is very important to live a better and healthy life.