| Breast cancer is said to be one of the biggest killers | | | | What is the nutrition for breast cancer that should be |
| of women around the world today. Statistics from | | | | followed? Sources from the University of Maryland |
| the University of Maryland Medical Center explain that | | | | Medical Center suggest that antioxidant-rich foods |
| every year in the United States, about 185,000 | | | | should be added to the diet. These foods include |
| women are diagnosed with some form of breast | | | | blueberries, cherries, squash, and tomatoes, among |
| cancer. Along with these statistics, about 40,000 | | | | many others. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, |
| women die per year because of breast cancer | | | | cauliflower, and cabbage should be eaten more often. |
| related complications. In 99% of all cases of breast | | | | It is best to avoid foods with trans-fat, |
| cancer, women are involved. Only a few men are | | | | preservatives, and foods that contain substances |
| diagnosed with this condition. | | | | that can cause allergies. For protein sources, it is best |
| What are the symptoms of breast cancer, and what | | | | to avoid red meats, and opt for leaner protein |
| are the possible causes of the disease? Doctors | | | | sources including tofu, soy, and some types of fish |
| often recommend their patients to performs routine | | | | like tuna, herring, salmon, and others. |
| breast self examinations (BSE) to be able to detect | | | | Nutrition for breast cancer also involves |
| lumps or other abnormalities in their breasts. If a | | | | supplementing the diet with B vitamins, calcium, |
| woman detects a change in the shape and firmness | | | | vitamin C, pro-biotics, and others. Omega-3 fatty |
| in her breast, or if there are skin problems in the | | | | acids are also highly recommended, and these forms |
| breast area, she should see a doctor right away. | | | | of fatty acids are found in many types of nuts as |
| Some of the causes of breast cancer are genetic, | | | | well as fish. The fish types that are rich in omega-3 |
| while some sources explain that hormonal levels in | | | | fatty acids are herring, salmon, albacore tuna, |
| the body can cause the growth of the tumor. | | | | mackerel, and sardines. It is advised that at the least, |
| Sometimes, exposure to carcinogenic substances | | | | 2 fish serving per week should be consumed. |
| may be the cause. In other instances, women who | | | | This is the reason why fish oils are becoming popular |
| have breast implants develop a form of breast | | | | supplements as nutrition for breast cancer. Fish oil |
| cancer. | | | | supplements come from the above mentioned |
| Currently, the treatments for breast cancer include | | | | species of fish, and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids |
| chemotherapy with radiation therapy. There are | | | | such as docosahexenoic acid (DHA) and |
| several drugs that have been tested and | | | | eicosapentenoic acid (EPA). As mentioned in a 2003 |
| recommended for chemotherapeutic use, and it has | | | | paper Indoor and Built Environment, DHA and EPA |
| been observed that the administration of regular | | | | have already proven effective against tumor growth, |
| radiation sessions allow chemotherapy drugs to work | | | | and when added to the diet, makes a patient more |
| better against breast cancer tumors. In some cases | | | | receptive to the benefits of chemotherapy and |
| of breast cancer, a mastectomy or surgical removal | | | | radiation therapy. |
| of one or two breasts may be needed. | | | | |