Can Eating a Plant-Based Diet Actually Help Fight Breast Cancer?
This year, an estimated 281,550 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer, of which 43,600 are expected to die. While radiation and surgery help many women overcome this disease, eating a healthy diet may also help prevent and support treatment of breast cancer. This month, Dr. Aboutanos examines the effects of a plant-based diet on women with breast cancer.
Disclaimer: This information is purely for educational purposes and is not intended to replace any treatment recommendations by an oncologist or cancer specialist.
Eat these plant foods to beat breast cancer
Several studies have shown that a plant-based diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains and low in fat may increase a woman’s chances of survival after breast cancer. Here are 4 foods to eat to beat breast cancer:
Apples
Apples, particularly their peels, are rich in the cancer-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolics. According to Dr. Michael Greger in his book, How Not to Die, the peels of organic apples have been shown to reactivate a tumor-suppressing gene called mammary serine protease inhibitor (Maspin). While breast cancer cells naturally turn off this gene, apple peels are able to turn it back on. Here’s what the research says about apples:
An Annals of Oncology study found that women who added an apple a day to their diet reduced their risk of developing breast cancer by 24%.
A Public Health Nutrition meta-analysis of over 40 studies investigating diet and cancer found that women who regularly ate apples were 20% less likely to develop breast cancer.
A plant-based diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains may increase a woman’s chances of survival after breast cancer.
Soy and flax
Soy and flax seeds contain lignans, a type of phytoestrogen (naturally-occurring plant compounds that have a similar effect as estrogens) that may protect against breast cancer. Soy also contains isoflavones, a phytonutrient with anti-cancer properties. Here’s what the research on soy and flax says:
A Breast Cancer Research study found that postmenopausal women in New York who ate a large amount of lignans had about a 70% lower risk of dying from breast cancer than those who ate little or no lignans. Furthermore, the study reported that women who ate the most lignans were about 50% less likely to die from any cause.
A Nutrition and Cancer study found that Asian women who consumed larger amounts of phytoestrogens were 32% less likely than American women to be diagnosed with any stage of cancer other than stage 1.
A Clinical Cancer Research study examining the effects of flax seeds on breast cancer patients found that giving postmenopausal women a muffin containing 25 grams of flaxseed a day reduced their breast tumor growth in under 5 weeks.
Note that while too much soy may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, eating 3 servings or less of whole soy foods per day has not been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, contain a compound called sulforaphane that has been shown to slow the growth of breast cancer cells. Here’s what the research on cruciferous veggies says:
An American Journal of Epidemiology study found that African American women who ate two or more servings of veggies a day had a significantly decreased risk of developing estrogen- and progesterone-receptor-negative breast cancer, a type of breast cancer that’s notoriously difficult to treat. The study also found that women who ate cruciferous vegetables in particular had a decreased risk of all types of breast cancer.
A Cancer Prevention Research study found that women with abnormal mammograms who took a sulforaphane supplement equivalent to a cup of broccoli sprouts each day experienced a reduction in their cancer cell growth.
What about fish and meat?
In general, fish and meat are not especially effective at reducing a woman’s risk of breast cancer or treating existing cancers. In fact, some studies show a correlation between consuming animal-derived cholesterol and developing breast cancer. However, the research is mixed:
An Annals of Oncology study found that dietary cholesterol (mainly found in meat, dairy, and eggs) was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
A Journal of Clinical Oncology study found that women with breast cancer who ate a whole foods, plant-based diet and poultry had a significantly lower risk of death than those who followed a traditional Western diet. However, keep in mind that this may not be due to eating poultry, but rather eating more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, as well as eating less meat.
While plant-based whole foods provide the nutrients most associated with a reduction in breast cancer, protein is also key for preventing and treating the disease. And though protein is found in plant foods such as beans, lentils, grains, and vegetables, the highest concentration of protein is found in meat and fish. Therefore, you may achieve a balance by eating a mostly plant-based diet with the occasional side of lean meat, such as a skinless chicken breast or a salmon filet.
Eating a mostly plant-based diet with the occasional side of lean meat may be the best approach.
Healthy foods are not a replacement for breast cancer screenings
Remember: a healthy diet is not a replacement for regular breast cancer screenings; incorporating these foods into your diet should be used to complement routine mammograms and manual checks.
Breast reconstruction after cancer
If you’ve had a mastectomy because of breast cancer or in order to prevent breast cancer, it’s important to understand your breast reconstruction options. Breast reconstruction can be performed using tissue expanders, breast implants, and/or tissue flaps from your own body. When performed by an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, breast reconstruction can create a natural result that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.
Breast reconstruction surgery in Richmond, Virginia
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos performs breast reconstruction surgery in Richmond, Virginia. She was voted a Richmond Magazine Top Doctor for 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the categories of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. Dr. Aboutanos is happy to discuss her breast reconstruction techniques with you during a personal consultation. Schedule yours online or call (804) 355-3410 today.