This breast cancer awareness month around 5,000 people will be diagnosed
As a nutritional therapist at Chanctonbury Healthcare, I feel it is important to talk this month about increasing awareness on breast health and preventative measures that you could easily start today.
What we eat, environmental toxins, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and other problems in modern-day society can become catalysts to increase breast cancer risk.
I am sure that many of you have been touched by the impact of breast cancer, perhaps someone that you know, a friend or indeed a close family member.
My own mother died of breast cancer just after her sixtieth birthday and I have also witnessed other family members and friends suffer this frightening disease.
I want to share with you some of my valuable knowledge and highly recommend that you read this article “Breast Cancer Risk and Preventions” by American Doctor Elizabeth Bowman, who herself overcame breast cancer and has helped many patients do the same.
Breast Cancer Risk and Preventions
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the uk. 1-8 womem will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Early detection is very important. And, it’s also important to create a healthy environment in the body to help prevent cancer from growing in the first place.
TEN TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BREASTS HEALTHY
- Choose whole, natural and freshly prepared foods. Whole foods are nutrient-dense, providing vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that promote health.
- Get 3-5 hours of exercise per week. Aim for 45 minutes, five times per week. This keeps your insulin working well, and helps you maintain a healthy percentage of body fat.
- Increase your fiber intake. Your goal is 35 grams per day. High-fiber foods include vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds (such as ground flax seeds), and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and buckwheat.
- Have protein at every meal or snack of the day. Good protein sources include: fish, lean poultry, beans, nuts and eggs. Make sure you include a few vegetarian options in your daily protein intake.
- Maintain healthy weight. This is the best-studied, most agreed-upon step women can take to decrease the risk of breast cancer.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Sleeping well helps with weight control, insulin sensitivity, and supports the immune system. All of this is important for preventing cancer.
- Reduce sugar and all sugary foods – every time you eat sugar, you increase insulin, which is linked to cancer cell growth and inflammation.
- Stop smoking – smoking increases the risk of breast cancer by a third
- Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day and 5 per week. Less is better.
- Eat 8 to 10 half-cup servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Organic produce is lower in pesticides, some of which can mimic oestrogen in the body. Cruciferous vegetables help the body detoxify toxins and oestrogen. Ideally try to eat a serving of cruciferous vegetables each day. Cruciferous vegetables include: • Broccoli • Cauliflower • Cabbage • Kale
Sharon Sinclair Dip ION, mBANT
Nutritional Therapist and Executive Director Chanctonbury Healthcare