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October 4, 2013

Fit Facts: Foods to Fight Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many people and organizations are working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services.

Researchers are always looking for potential causes of breast cancer. Do certain kinds of foods offer protection against breast cancer? It’s too soon to say for sure, but some evidence suggests a connection. For example, the following have been linked to a lower breast cancer risk:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • High levels of the lycopene antioxidant found in tomatoes and some foods containing tomatoes, such as ketchup and tomato puree
  • Soybeans and other sources of soy protein, including tofu, soy milk, tempeh and soy flour
  • Whole grains
  • Monounsaturated fatty acids, which are found in dark green, leafy plants and olive oil
  • Flaxseed is rich in lignans, plant estrogens that block the effects of natural estrogen on cancer cells

On the flip side, eating lots of very well-done meat is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. So, too, is drinking alcohol. Even moderate drinking may affect levels of estrogen, a hormone that influences breast cancer risk.

Join the conversation on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ Facebook page and look for more information on our “I Pink I Can” campaign throughout the month of October. We will be featuring people who are passionate about the fight against breast cancer. From scheduling an exam, to participating in a walk, to just wearing pink, anyone can help to make a difference.

Sources: The American Cancer Society, The Mayo Clinic

 

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