By: Michelle L.
The thought of
breast cancer is scary and troubles women worldwide.
What may cause you
to raise your eyebrows is that women in Asian countries such as China have
lower incidences of the illness. Dietary preferences may explain this
phenomenon.
What is breast
cancer?
Simply put, mammary cancer happens when cells in the
breast turn rogue. They grow fast, forming tumors which a doctor can usually
detect via a mammogram or an X-Ray of the chest area. Though these tumors are
more common in women, they may develop in men as well.
Malignant tumors
that begin in the milk duct, or ductal carcinomas, are the most familiar type
of breast cancer. Cancers arising in the lobules, or lobular carcinomas, happen
less.
Breast cancer
starts with thickened tissue in a woman’s breast. These cells form what most
people call a “lump.” She may feel a sting in her armpits that has no links
with her menstrual period. Her skin may redden, and a rash may develop around
her nipples. Discharge may flow from one of them.
What raises the
risk of breast cancer?
While experts
cannot pinpoint the causes of breast cancer, they can identify what puts a
woman at a risk of developing it. Your tendency to contract it is high if you
have the following attributes. Your propensity for breast cancer increases when
you are older. Cancer develops in postmenopausal women rather than those who
are younger.
80% of breast
cancers occur in women over the age of 50.
Genetics and
family history may determine the likelihood of getting the Big C. If a close
relative has it, the risk of you contracting it is high. That said, breast
cancers are common, and a majority of them are not hereditary. The possibility
of breast cancer may rise if you had benign breast lumps. They include atypical
ductal hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma. There is a likelihood of them
metastasizing if they develop again.
Further, women
with high levels of estrogen are more likely than their peers to have breast
tumors. If you had your periods earlier than other women your age, be alert to
this. How heavy you are may decide whether you get breast cancer or not. Obese
menopausal women are more likely than their slimmer peers to develop growths in
their mammary glands. They tend to produce higher levels of estrogen.
An interesting
point to note is that taller women are more prone to breast cancer than shorter
ones, though experts still need to establish the reason for this. Women who
consume more alcohol have a higher risk than others of developing breast
cancer. If you want to kick cancer to the curb, take no more than one alcoholic
beverage per day.
Breast cancer
raises its ugly head because of increased levels of estrogen and progesterone
in the female body. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may contribute to the
development of tumors. Women who need to replace estrogen in their bodies are
more likely than others to contract the disease. Combined estrogen and
progesterone therapy increase their risk.
The Diet Factor:
Why Chinese Women Are Less Likely to Develop Breast Cancer
These risk factors
aside, a woman’s diet may be one of the biggest reasons for getting breast
cancer. Jane Plant, a renowned professor of geochemistry, received a breast
cancer diagnosis from her gynecologist. She decided to put up a fight against
the disease.
Her husband, who
worked in China, found that the breast cancer rates were much lower there than
in Western countries. The Plants discovered that Chinese diets comprised only
14% of fat compared with Western diets, which contained 36% fat. Jane then
realized that few Chinese ate dairy produce.
She started to
follow a revolutionary diet plan that changed her fate for the best. She replaced
high-fat dairy products with low-fat Cheese and skimmed milk.
The lump in her
breast remained the same size after her first session of chemotherapy. She
removed dairy from her diet, and it shrank after the second session. It
vanished after her third chemo session, a phenomenon which astounded
specialists at Charing Cross hospital.
Jane’s experience
brings to mind that the dietary choices could be responsible for the onset of
cancer. A low-fat diet does a lot to reduce the signs of the disease.
Say Goodbye to
Breast Cancer with these ten low-fat foods
Plant’s theory may
not be far off the mark. If you follow a low-fat diet like the Chinese do, you
can keep the Big C at a distance. These non-fattening foods will be a great
help.
01. Mushrooms
The Chinese add
lots of mushrooms to their noodles and omelets. A study in the Chinese health
journal PLos One revealed that a diet high in mushrooms offers protection from
breast cancer. If you dislike Chicken Chow Mien, you can add them to stews,
scrambled eggs or stir-fries.
02. Broccoli
Sprouts
These vegetables
are high in antioxidants. The Center for Cancer Research found that one of
them, Sulforaphane, may target cancer growth. Have them in sandwiches and
salads.
03. Pomegranates
These fruits are
high in ellagic acid, an antioxidant that may slow cancer development.
Scientists from the Beckman Research Institute discovered that it restrains the
enzymes that may cause breast cancer.
04. Lentils
The American
Journal Of Nutrition supports Jane Plant’s theory that dietary changes may help
to stop breast cancer development. Researchers studied the Asian diet and found
that legumes and soy contributed to lower rates of breast cancer. If you do not
like stir-fried legumes, try a lentil burger. You may substitute them with kale
as well.
05. Walnuts
If you want to prevent
breast cancer, go nuts. That is, have handfuls of walnuts. Scientists from the
Marshall University School of Medicine in West Virginia discovered that the
Omega acids, phytoestrogens, and antioxidants in them control cancerous
enzymes. Be creative and add walnuts to soups, muffins or even pizza.
06. Blueberries
The Chinese name
for these delightful fruits is “Lan Mei”, and they explain why many of their
women do not get breast cancer. Pterostilbene, a potent antioxidant in them,
cause cancerous cells to self-destruct. This fascinating process is known as
apoptosis. Enjoy blueberries with yogurt and cereals.
07. Spinach
Women who take in
high amounts of folate have low breast cancer rates. Spinach has lots of this
Vitamin-B compound. If you want to enjoy this low-fat food as the Chinese do,
fry spinach leaves with prawns and a little soy sauce.
08. Eggs
Women prize eggs
for their ability to control hair fall and various skin conditions. The Choline
in them helps with these ailments, and breast cancer as well. A study found
that it ensures the proper functioning of cells. The Chinese fry them with
noodles and make slurp-worthy omelets with them.
09. Salmon
The Chinese enjoy
raw fish dishes every lunar new year, and they could explain why breast cancer
rates among them are not significant. Vitamin D in salmon prevent “good” cells
from turning rogue. Omega-3 fat in this fish stops the spread of cancerous
cells in the breast to other parts of the body.
10. Rye and Whole
Grains
If the idea of raw
salmon does not excite you, eat more grain instead. The American Institute for
Cancer Research found that the lignans, fiber, phytonutrients, minerals and
vitamins in them helped to stop cancer cells from spreading. Eat rye bread with
eggs, tomato or sprouts.
Why do fewer
Chinese women get breast cancer? Low-fat diets are the simple answer to this
question. Eat these foods and say goodbye to it for good.
