It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October so I have kept my eye out for useful, practical info that might help specifically with prevention. Here is a link to a useful overview of some of the research behind high levels of specific antioxidants and anti-inflammatories from food and supplements shown to have real promise in the prevention stakes.
The Role of Vitamins, Antioxidants, and Anti-Inflammatories in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment
The brief article references which antioxidants have been shown to help in prevention and in treatment support for those with breast cancer already and focuses on how to encourage people to consume more of them (this is written for practitioners primarily). Here’s one bit of advice right away for you:
For example, lycopene is a nutrient that is highlighted for its anticancer properties, specifically in reference to breast cancer. Lycopene is a carotenoid that gives many fruits and vegetables their red color. Unlike other carotenes, lycopene does not get converted into vitamin A. The top 10 sources of dietary lycopene are:
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Guava
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Watermelon
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Tomatoes (cooked)
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Papaya
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Grapefruit
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Sweet Red Peppers (cooked)
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Asparagus (cooked)
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Red (purple) cabbage
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Mango
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Carrots
In fact, I had half a watermelon for breakfast this morning and have got some mango slices for a treat later so I’m doing well! If I have a curry later with lots of tomatoes and turmeric in, even better.
Hope it helps. For more pieces on breast cancer see here, here and here. use the search box and even more will come up for you. Also, check out the mini Cancer factsheet on the clinic site, which details my top 3 bits of advice for you.