Breast Cancer: Nutritional and Herbal Prevention & Support
See also the Cancer(General) post
Disclaimer
The content of this site is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.
Foods Listed by helpful nutrients and phytochemicals
Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6)
“Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) enhances the anti-proliferative effects of adriamycin and tamoxifen in breast cancer.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12846414/
Legumes
Nuts
Whole Cereals
Seeds
Indole-3-carbinol
“Preclinical studies suggested that anti-estrogenic activities of I3C and DIM might help reduce the risk of hormone-dependent cancers.”
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/indole-3-carbinol
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Collard greens
Kale
Kohlrabi
Rutabaga
Turnips
Bok choy
Chinese cabbage
Radish
Horseradish
Watercress
Wasabi
Sulforaphane
“Sulforaphane halts breast cancer cell growth.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15501721/
Broccoli sprouts
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Kale
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage (red and white)
Bok choy
Watercress
Arugula
Turnips
Catechins
“Tea catechins inhibit metastasis of breast cancer cells via the modulation of proteolytic enzymes, suppressing the EMT, and down-regulating MT1-MMP transcription.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997373/
Green tea
Oolong tea
Broadbean
Black grapes
Blackberries
Dark Chocolate
Fava beans
Sweet and purple potatoes
Guavas
Pears
Apricots
Cherries
Apples
Carvacrol
“Accumulating evidence suggests that carvacrol may have therapeutic potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer, including colon cancer, hepatoma, and breast cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4846059/
Oregano
Thyme
Pepperwort
Wild bergamot
Sage
Antioxidants
“…the most promising results from clinical trials have been obtained for vitamin C and its combination with vitamin E, therefore, these compounds are close to being a reality in breast cancer therapy.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7911462/
Small red beans
Wild blueberries
Red kidney beans
Pinto beans
Cultivated blueberries
Cranberries
Artichokes
Blackberries
Prunes
Raspberries
Strawberries
Red delicious apples
Granny smith apples
Pecans
Sweet cherries
Black plums
Russet potatoes
Black beans
Plums
Gala apples
Dark leafy greens
Anthocyanins
“Their potential antitumour effects are reported to be based on a wide variety of biological activities including antioxidant; anti‐inflammation; anti‐mutagenesis; induction of differentiation; inhibiting proliferation by modulating signal transduction pathways, inducing cell cycle arrest and stimulating apoptosis or autophagy of cancer cells; anti‐invasion; anti‐metastasis; reversing drug resistance of cancer cells and increasing their sensitivity to chemotherapy.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429338/
Berries
Black elderberries
Aronia berries (chokeberries)
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Strawberries
Black Plums
Blood Oranges
Cherries
Black and red grapes
Pomegranates
Purple corn
Eggplant
Black carrots
Red cabbage
Purple cauliflower
Lignans
“During clinical trials, researchers have concluded that flaxseed has the potential to reduce the growth of tumors in patients with breast cancer, mainly postmenopausal women, and decrease the risk of this type of cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5808339
Flaxseeds
Sesame Seeds
Isoflavones
“The consumption of soy isoflavones can reduce the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8931889/
Soy products
Lentils
Beans
Peas
Flavonoids
“According to a study, flavonoids also inhibit tumor growth by causing death in cancer cells.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9323071
Berries
Green tea
Apples
Onions
Garlic
Cruciferous vegetables
Cabbage
Kale
Parsley
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
Soy
Turmeric
Ginger
Pomegranate
Citrus fruits
Beta-sitosterol
“…beta-sitosterol (BS), a plant derived nutrient with anticancer properties against breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, and leukemia. Studies have shown that BS interfere with multiple cell signaling pathways, including cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and inflammation.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26473555/
Rice bran
Wheat germ
Peanuts
Corn oils
Soybeans
Saw palmetto
Stinging nettles
Avocados
Hazelnuts
Walnuts
Soybean oil
Raw almonds
Raw pistachio nuts
Canola oil
Pink Lentils
Fresh Fava Beans
Olive oil
Fiber
“A random-effects meta-analysis of prospective observational studies demonstrated that high total fiber consumption was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. This finding was consistent for soluble fiber as well as for women with premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32249416/
Lentils
Split peas
Black Beans
Pinto beans
Artichoke hearts
Kidney beans
Chickpeas
Chia seeds
Raspberries
Blackberries
Whole wheat pasta
Barley
Pears
Almonds
Oats
Broccoli
Quinoa
Avocados
Apples
Green peas
Edamame
Brussels sprouts
Ground Flaxseed
Beta-carotene
“Increasing evidence suggests that carotenoids, which are micronutrients in fruit and vegetables, reduce breast cancer risk.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441811/
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
Dark leafy greens
Butternut squash
Cantaloupe
Romaine lettuce
Red bell peppers
Apricots
Broccoli
Podded peas
Melatonin
“Recent studies have suggested that the pineal hormone melatonin may protect against breast cancer…”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4301735/
Pistachios
Tart cherries
Fatty fish
Rice
Goji berries
Oats
Mushrooms
Corn
Bananas
Apigenin
“Apigenin Inhibits Growth of Breast Cancer Cells: The Role of ERα and HER2/neu”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4610175/
Parsley
Chamomile
Celery
Artichokes
Oregano
Vine-spinach
Gallotannin
“Gallotannin imposes S phase arrest in breast cancer cells and suppresses the growth of triple-negative tumors in vivo.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24658335/
Berries
Grapes
Persimmons
Pomegranates
Ellagic Acid
“Ellagic Acid Controls Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells via Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278979
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Cherries
Walnuts
Cranberries
Pecans
Pomegranate
Quercetin
“Recent studies have reported that quercetin inhibits breast cancer by inhibiting signal transduction, inducing cancer cell apoptosis, and suppressing proliferation, invasion, and metastases of tumor cells.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788241
Citrus fruits
Apples
Yellow (chartreuse onion)
Red onions
Parsley
Sage
Tea
Raw nuts
Olive oil
Grapes
Dark cherries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Bilberries
Red peppers
Kaempferol
“A marked decrease in human cancers, including breast cancer, bone cancer, and cervical cancer, has been linked to the consumption of vegetable and fruit, and the corresponding chemoprotective effect has been associated with the presence of several active molecules, such as kaempferol.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6631472/
Beans
Broccoli
Cabbage
Capers
Cauliflower
Chia seeds
Chives
Cumin
Moringa leaves
Endive
Fennel
Garlic
Vitamin C
“….trials of intravenous injection of vitamin C at high doses to enhance the antitumor activity of drugs and/or decrease their side effects.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7664876/
Raw red peppers
Orange juice
Oranges
Grapefruit juice
Kiwi fruit
Raw green peppers
Broccoli (cooked)
Strawberries
Brussels sprouts (cooked)
Grapefruit
Chili peppers
Guavas
Papaya
Pineapple
Potatoes
Mango
Cantaloupe
Lemon
Cauliflower
Vitamin D
“Vitamin D Deficiency May Promote Spread of Some Breast Cancers.”
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2016/vitamin-d-metastasis
Cod liver oil
Salmon
Tuna
Sardines
Iodine
“Iodine-deficient breast tissues are also more susceptible to carcinogen action and promote lesions earlier and in greater profusion. Metabolically, iodine-deficient breasts show changes in RNA/DNA ratios, estrogen receptor proteins, and cytosol iodine levels.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/343535
Fish (cod, tuna)
Seaweed (kombu kelp, wakame and nori)
Shrimp
Seafood
Dairy (low fat)
Iodized salt
Prunes
Lima beans
Selenium
“Selenium may decrease the risk for prostate, colon, gastrointestinal, lung, and breast cancers.”
https://www.breastcancer.org/managing-life/diet-nutrition/dietary-supplements/known/selenium
Brazil nuts
Brown rice
Chia seeds
Chicken
Cottage cheese (low fat)
Crimini mushrooms
Flaxseeds
Halibut
Kamut
Lima beans
Navy beans
Oatmeal
Pinto beans
Portabella mushrooms
Salmon
Sardines
Shiitake mushrooms
Shrimp
Snapper
Sunflower seeds
Tilapia
Tuna
Turkey
White button mushrooms
Whole wheat bread
Amygdalin
“Amygdalin from Apricot Kernels Induces Apoptosis and Causes Cell Cycle Arrest in Cancer Cells.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29308747/
Raw nuts
Bitter almonds
Apricot kernels (Caution may be needed)
Millet
Barley
Buckwheat
Flax
Berries
Strawberries
Currants
Cranberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Bamboo shoots
Alfalfa
Yams
Sweet potatoes
Cassava
Spinach
Beet greens
Watercress
Black beans
Lima beans
Lentils
Green peas
Herbs and Supplements
Artemisia argyi plant
“In this study, we applied a network pharmacology approach to identify the potential mechanisms of FAA against breast cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9843367/
Honey and Bee Pollen
“Bee pollen and honey for the alleviation of hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486804/
Black Rice Extract
“Black Rice Anthocyanins Suppress Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting RAS/RAF/MAPK Pathway.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26649302/
Lemon Balm
“Various types of extracts from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), a highly available and used medicinal plant in the Western area of Romania, were previously reported with promising antitumor effects.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7178502/
Bromelain from Pineapple
“Our results indicate an increase in apoptosis-related cell death in breast cancer cells with increasing concentrations of bromelain.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22191568/
Calcium and VD Combo
“Findings from this study suggest that higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D may be associated with a lower risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. The likely apparent protection in premenopausal women may be more pronounced for more aggressive breast tumors.”
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/486844
Calcium-D-glucarate
“In this review, we present the rationale for the use of an agent such as calcium glucarate, which may both change the internal hormonal milieu and also directly detoxify any environmental agents responsible for breast cancer.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7744577/
Saw palmetto
“In summary, we found that saw palmetto extract was an important phytotherapeutic drug against the human glioma through STAT3 signal pathway.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4692995
COQ10
“Coenzyme possibly reduces the risk of some cancers, boosts the immune system, and possibly protects the heart from the side effects of some chemotherapy.”
https://www.breastcancer.org/managing-life/diet-nutrition/dietary-supplements/known/coenzyme-q10
Vitamin C
“…the results from this meta-analysis suggest that a high intake of total VitC appears to be significantly correlated with a reduced risk of BC incidence, mortality and recurrence. However, additional VitC supplementation should be cautiously considered for BC prevention.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7585084/
Dandelion
“Dandelion extract inhibits triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation by interfering with glycerophospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids metabolism.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486077
Evening Primrose
“Evening Primrose Oil Enhances Tamoxifen’s Anticancer Activity against Breast Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis, Inhibiting Angiogenesis, and Arresting the Cell Cycle.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9031472/
Fiber
“…increasing the dietary fibre intake in the diet of the general population may have important prevention of breast cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5348370/
Fresh Homemade Garlic Extract and Fresh Garlic
“Anti-Cancer Potential of Homemade Fresh Garlic Extract Is Related to Increased Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946235/
“Our results demonstrate that a short exposure to fresh but not boiled garlic extract is sufficient to permanently alter the morphology and trigger the growth arrest of MCF7 cells.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3463925/
Grape seed Extract
“In this work, the phenolic fraction of GSE, obtained from pomaces from the typical Negramaro grapes, highly rich in polyphenols, was able to induce apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells at suitable concentrations.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6651466/
Green Tea Extract (and Curcumin)
“In breast cancer, EGCG has been shown to interfere with estrogen receptor function, inhibit estrogen-induced breast cancer cell proliferation, and sensitize hormone responsive tumors to drugs that target steroid receptors (e.g.,tamoxifen). The combination of EGCG and curcumin was efficacious in both in vitro and in vivo models of ERα- breast cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127621/
Iodine (and Selenium)
“Although there is suggestive evidence for a preventive role for iodine and selenium in breast cancer, rigorous retrospective and prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10710195/
Litchi Fruit Extract
“The findings in this study suggested that LFP extract might have potential anticancer activity on both ER positive and negative breast cancers, which could be attributed, in part, to its DNA damage effect, proliferating inhibition and apoptosis induction of cancer cells through up-regulation and down-regulation of multiple genes involved in cell cycle regulation and cell proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction and transcriptional regulation, motility and invasiveness of cancer cells.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16563451/
Melatonin
“…there are several grounds for invoking melatonin in cancer treatment, but most have been poorly investigated.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4301735/
Multi-Vitamin
“We found that among women who received radiation therapy only, long-term multivitamin use from five years pre-diagnosis to about two years post-diagnosis was associated with improved outcomes compared to no use, while no associations were observed for women who had no radiation therapy.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3272363/
Stinging Nettles
“These findings suggest that Urtica Dioica may have antitumoral properties in the treatment of breast cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9272626/
Reishi Mushrooms
“Therefore, our findings suggest that Reishi extract could be used as a novel anticancer therapeutic for IBC patients.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3585368/
Oncolytic viruses
“Combinatorial treatments of oncolytic viruses with several kinds of transgenes and drugs can achieve highly potent viro-therapeutical effect, especially against human breast cancer.”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352304221001616
Reovirus
“Reovirus oncotherapy has shown definitive promise through preclinical and clinical trials, and is en route to becoming a clinically practiced therapeutic option for the treatment of various cancers.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4918368/
Sea Cucumber Extract
“Sea cucumbers contain many marine-derived agents that have the potential to inhibit the growth of several different types of human tumor cells as demonstrated in in vitro studies, in vivo murine models, and human studies.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694523/
Vitamin A
“Vitamin A and carotenoids are exceptionally efficient quencher of reactive oxygen species and responsible for protecting from photooxidative damage. The significance of vitamin A and carotenoids as powerful antioxidants against several cancers has been highlighted.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8465379/
Vitamin D
“This review shows that most of the vitamin D studies support the inverse association between vitamin D level and breast cancer risk, and retrospective and prospective epidemiologic studies revealed that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased breast cancer risk.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5802611/
Vitamin E
“Although epidemiologic study results have been inconsistent, further study of this nontoxic vitamin is warranted.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9121936/
Wormwood*
“Artemisinin alone is fairly effective at killing cancer cells. It kills approximately 100 cancer cells for every healthy cell, about ten times better than current chemotherapies. To improve those odds, the researchers added a small chemical tag to artemisinin that sticks to the “iron needed here” protein signal.”
Healthy Habits:
BMI less than 25
https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/being-overweight
Breast Feeding
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6069526/
Exercise***
https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/lack-of-exercise/
Eat before 9pm
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-time-you-eat-dinner-may-affect-cancer-risk
Fasting or Intermittent Fasting (Caution needed)
“Emerging evidence suggests that fasting could play a key role in cancer treatment by fostering conditions that limit cancer cells' adaptability, survival, and growth. Fasting could increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments and limit adverse events.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35848874/
Organic Produce
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6574431/
Sun Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7015554/
Vegetarians & Vegans
“Vegetarian diets seem to confer protection against cancer. Vegan diet seems to confer lower risk for overall and female-specific cancer than other dietary patterns. The lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets seem to confer protection from cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23169929/
Avoid or limit
Alcohol
“Drinking even small amounts of alcohol is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Alcohol can raise estrogen levels in the body, which may explain some of the increased risk.”
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/diet-physical-activity/alcohol-use-and-cancer.html
Cleaning Products
“When we breathe in a fresh scent, most of us don’t realize, and the labels won’t tell us, that chemicals found in some ordinary cleaning products are known or suspected to cause serious health effects including cancer.”
https://www.bcpp.org/resource/cleaning-products/
Hair Dyes
“The use of hair beauty products such as hair dyes, straighteners and rinses may be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer in women.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7861401/
Plastics and BPA
“…chemical BPA in plastics raises risks; endocrine disrupter mimicking estrogen, results showed a link between BPA exposure and increased incidence of breast cancer.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29959737/
Saturated fat
“Increased consumption of total fat and saturated fat were found to be positively associated with the development of breast cancer.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1199629/
Trans Fat
“These results support the hypothesis that higher dietary intakes of ITFAs, in particular elaidic acid, are associated with elevated breast cancer risk.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33781249/
Fried Foods
“The most powerful risk factor for breast cancer was fried foods…”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6446065/
Light at Night
“Several studies over the last decade have suggested that the modern practice of keeping our bodies exposed to artificial light at night, or LAN, increases cancer risk, especially for cancers (such as breast and prostate cancers) that require hormones to grow.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002207/
Pesticides
“…organic produce consumption was associated with reduced breast cancer risk.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6574431/
Smoking
“Smoking was associated with a modest but significantly increased risk of breast cancer, particularly among women who started smoking at adolescent or peri-menarcheal ages.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5698948/
E-Cigarettes
“Electronic cigarettes promotes the lung colonization of human breast cancer in NOD-SCID-Gamma mice.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7476960/
Sugar*
“A possible connecting link between sugar consumption and breast cancer is insulin. This is an absolute requirement for the proliferation of normal mammary tissue and experimental mammary tumours may regress in its absence. Insulin secretion occurs in response to blood glucose level and could be excessive if the regulatory mechanism is overtaxed by large sugar intake. The same mechanism might account for the increased risk of mammary cancer in diabetics.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6645999/
“We found that higher total sugar intake, especially added sugar, sucrose, and fructose, as well as carbohydrate from fruit juice after a breast cancer diagnosis were associated with poorer prognosis. High post-diagnostic intake of carbohydrate from vegetables was associated with reduced risk of mortality.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34152461/
Refined Carbs (white flour, etc.)
“…whole grain intake is consistently associated with lower cancer risk, with the strongest evidence for colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7762239/
HRT
“The risk of having breast cancer diagnosed is increased in women using HRT and increases with increasing duration of use. This effect is reduced after cessation of use of HRT and has largely, if not wholly, disappeared after about 5 years.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10213546/
Birth Control
“…there appears to be an increased risk of breast cancer in women using combined oral contraceptives, regardless of progestin component or monophasic versus extended cycle administration. An increased risk was also identified in levonorgestrel-only oral and nonoral products. However, most women who choose to use these methods of contraception do not expose themselves to long-term breast cancer risk and may benefit from reduction of other types of cancer later in life.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124967/
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding May Protect
“…pregnancy and breastfeeding, which both reduce a woman’s lifetime number of menstrual cycles, and thus her cumulative exposure to endogenous hormones (1), are associated with a decrease in breast cancer risk.”
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/reproductive-history-fact-sheet
Abortion (first half of pregnancy)
Though studies seem to show no increased risk (except for the fact that pregnancy in general seems to have a protective effect) there is one caution listed below.
“Since estrogen, which increases breast cancer risk, is secreted during the first half of pregnancy in order to stimulate breast growth, abortion at that time will expose the mother to high concentrations of estrogen when cells are undifferentiated.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8246284/
Food List by Category
*Multitasker - has more than one nutritional element or helps in more than one way.
Fruits
Apples***** (Gala, Granny smith, red delicious apples, pink lady apples* flesh and peel) most helpful antioxidants are in the skins
Apricots*
Aronia berries (chokeberries)
Bananas
Berries****
Bilberries
Black and red grapes
Black elderberries
Black plums**
Blackberries******
Blood Oranges
Blueberries***
Cantaloupe**
Cherries***
Citrus fruits**
Cranberries***
Currants
Dark cherries
Figs
Goji berries
Grapefruit
Grapes (red or purple)***
Guavas*
Kiwi fruit
Lemon
Mangos*
Mangosteen*
Oranges
Papaya
Peaches
Pears*
Persimmons
Pineapple
Plums
Pomegranate****
Prunes**
Raspberries*****
Red grapes**
Snake gourd fruit
Strawberries*****
Sweet cherries
Tart cherries
Wild blueberries
Vegetables
Alfalfa
Artichoke hearts***
Arugula**
Avocados**
Bamboo shoots
Beet greens
Bell peppers
Black carrots
Bok choy***
Broccoli sprouts**
Broccoli******
Brussels sprouts******
Butternut squash
Cabbage******* (red and white)
Capers
Carrots*
Cassava
Cauliflower*****
Celery
Cherry tomatoes
Chili peppers
Chinese cabbage
Chives
Collard greens***
Corn**
Crimini mushrooms
Cruciferous vegetables******
Dark leafy greens***
Edamame
Eggplant
Endive
Fennel
Garlic***
Green peas**
Horseradish
Iceberg lettuce
Kale******
Kohlrabi
Leeks**
Mushrooms*** (White button, shiitake, reishi)
Mustard greens*
Olives
Onions
Orange produce
Oyster mushrooms
Parsley***
Podded peas
Portabella mushrooms
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Purple cauliflower
Purple corn
Purple potatoes
Radishes**
Raw green peppers
Red beetroot,
Red bell peppers**
Red cabbage***
Red onions
Red-yellow-orange food
Romaine lettuce
Russet potatoes
Rutabaga
Sauerkraut
Seaweed (kombu kelp, wakame and nori)
Shallots
Shiitake mushrooms
Spinach
Squash
Sweet potatoes***
Tomatoes**
Turnips***
Vine-spinach
Wasabi
Watercress****
White button mushrooms
Yams
Yellow onions
Beans
Beans******
Black beans***
Broadbeans
Chickpeas
Dark chocolate*
Fava Beans*
Kidney beans
Lentils**
Lima beans***
Navy beans
Pink Lentils
Pinto beans***
Red kidney beans
Red lentils
Small red beans
Split peas
White beans
Soymilk
Soybean paste, miso
Soybeans**
Is soy safe for patients with breast cancer?
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/is-soy-safe-for-patients-with-breast-cancer.h00-159538167.html
“Clinical trials consistently show that isoflavone intake does not adversely affect markers of breast cancer risk, including mammographic density and cell proliferation. Furthermore, prospective epidemiologic studies involving over 11,000 women from the USA and China show that postdiagnosis soy intake statistically significantly reduces recurrence and improves survival.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27161216/
Nuts & Seeds
Almonds
Apricot kernels
Bitter almonds
Brazil nuts
Chia seeds***
Flax seeds****** (Ground)
Hazelnuts
Nuts
Pecans**
Pistachios
Pumpkin seeds
Raw almonds
Raw nuts**
Raw pistachio nuts
Sesame seeds*
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts****
Peanuts (Are they safe?)
“High consumption of peanuts, walnuts, and almonds appears to be a protective factor for the development of breast cancer.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26183374/
Recent Peanut Study: When You Don’t See the Forest for the Trees
https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/recent-peanut-study-when-you-dont-see-the-forest-for-the-trees/
Herbs and Spices
Black Cumin*
Black pepper*
Clove*
Coriander root extract*
Cumin
Curry
Ginger*
Iodized salt
Mint
Oregano**
Pepperwort
Red chili peppers* (controversial)
Rosemary extract*
Saffron*
Sage**
Thyme
Turmeric* (most effective dissolved in oil with black pepper)
Vanilla
Wasabi*
Wild bergamot
Proteins
Red meat: Beef, Lamb, and Pork vs Poultry
“Red meat consumption may increase the risk of invasive breast cancer, whereas poultry consumption may be associated with reduced risk.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31389007/
Fish (Caution may be needed for those at risk for skin cancer)
“This analysis confirmed the protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids in fish consumption against breast cancer in Asian patients.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6897018/
Eggs
“…high egg intake may be associated with a modestly elevated risk of breast cancer.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26293984/
Chicken
Codfish
Fatty fish** (albacore, tuna, and salmon)
Halibut
Salmon**
Sardines**
Seafood
Snapper
Tilapia
Tuna
Turkey
Wild salmon**
Drinks
Black tea
Chamomile
Coffee
Fresh carrot juice*
Grape juice
Grapefruit juice
Green tea****
Jasmine, green and white tea
Mint
Moringa leaves
Milk (low fat)
Orange juice
Oolong tea
Pomegranate juice****
Purple grape juice
Tea
Tomato juice
Water
White teas
Fats
Canola oil
Coconut oil
Cod liver oil
Peanut oil
Olive oil**
Grains
Barley**
Black pasta; squid ink
Brown rice**
Buckwheat
Cereals
Germinated wheat flour
Kamut
Millet
Multigrain bread
Oats***
Quinoa
Rice
Rice bran
Sorghum
Tabbouleh whole wheat
Wheat bran cereals
Wheat bran
Wheat germ
Whole wheat bread
Whole wheat pasta
Whole wheat spaghetti
Whole grains
Dairy
Low fat cottage cheese
Low fat yogurt (Preferably sugar free as well. See note on sugars and increased risk above.)
Avoid hard cheese
“…a significant increase in breast cancer risk was observed with increases in the consumption of hard cheeses in premenopausal women.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8703752/
Diets
Candida Diet
How Chemotherapy Increases the Risk of Systemic Candidiasis in Cancer Patients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4810127/
Macrobiotic
“Women consuming macrobiotic diets have modestly lower circulating estrogen levels, suggesting a lower risk of breast cancer. This may be due in part to the high phytoestrogen content of the macrobiotic diet.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11694648/
Mediterranean
“From the numerous studies presented in this review, it can be clearly seen that following a MD diet could be beneficial to health in general and help protect against breast cancer risk and recurrence in particular.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6787593/
Changing your relationship with food
Throwing a few blueberries or raspberries in a refined carb muffin loaded with sugar and butter is unlikely to make a difference in anyone’s health. Below you’ll find a selection of recipes that not only focus on some of the healthy foods listed above but attempt to avoid those foods thought to increase breast cancer risk. Where needed, there are some suggestions on how to make the linked recipe even better. An Chassidic teaching guides people to view food as a resource to supply oneself with the health and energy to serve G-d. If we stopped viewing food as primarily a source of entertainment or comfort and instead see it as a way to nourish our bodies and health, we would likely make very different choices.
Recipes
Healing Tomato Carrot Turmeric Soup
Artichoke, Barley, Chicken and Lemon Soup
Make it better: Use soy or nut milk.
https://livenaturallymagazine.com/recipes/entree/artichoke-barley-chicken-%E2%80%A8and-lemon-soup/
Apple and Black Bean Salsa
https://www.layersofhappiness.com/apple-black-bean-salsa/
Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie
https://thenaturalnurturer.com/creamy-cauliflower-blueberry-smoothie/
Strawberry Bean Smoothie
https://nutriciously.com/strawberry-bean-smoothie/
Cumin and Coriander Roasted Broccoli with Lentils Quinoa and Green Olives
Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/shredded-gingered-brussels-sprouts/
Pan-Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Parsley and Rosemary
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018539-pan-roasted-cauliflower-with-garlic-parsley-and-rosemary
Persian Cabbage and Rice
Make it better: Use ground turkey instead and use less turkey and more cabbage.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/279043/kalam-polo-persian-cabbage-and-rice/
Beet, Ginger, and Red Cabbage Soup
Make it Better: Use olive oil instead of butter and plain low fat yogurt in place of sour cream.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/beet-ginger-and-red-cabbage-soup-5485988
Slow Simmered Chicken with Coriander and Kale
https://www.cleanprogram.com/blogs/clean/slow-simmered-chicken-with-coriander-and-greens
Roast Cod with Watercress Crushed Potatoes
https://www.food.com/recipe/roast-cod-with-watercress-crushed-potatoes-59378
Lima Beans and Shrimp
https://www.cajun-recipes.com/html/vegetable/41838.htm
Easy Tuna Chili Recipe
https://www.mariaushakova.com/2014/07/easy-tuna-chili-recipe/
Barley Pilaf
https://thehealthyfoodie.com/barley-pilaf/
Ginger Wasabi Brown Rice
https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/ginger-wasabi-brown-rice/
Halibut in Cumin Broth with White Beans
Make it Better: Instead of the white wine just use additional broth.
https://food52.com/recipes/82803-halibut-in-a-cumin-broth-with-white-beans-garlic-and-tomato
Instant Pot Soybean Curry
Make it Better: Skip the cream or use soy milk or another milk substitute instead.
https://www.vidhyashomecooking.com/instant-pot-soybeans-curry-soya-beans-curry/
Beet Hummus
https://wavesinthekitchen.com/beet-hummus/#recipe
Spinach Artichoke Pesto
Make it Better: Use brown rice or whole wheat pasta
https://www.veggieinspired.com/spinach-artichoke-pesto/#recipe
Triple Berry Crisp and Banana Ice Cream
https://lifemadesweeter.com/triple-berry-crisp/
Cruciferous Veggie Stir Fry
https://janeshealthykitchen.com/cruciferous-veggie-stir-fry/
Steamed Broccoli with Hummus
https://www.bigoven.com/recipe/steamed-broccoli-with-hummus/37543
Beet Pesto
Make it Better: Use Brown rice or whole wheat pasta
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-vegan-beet-pesto-pasta-230823
Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
https://www.twospoons.ca/mexican-stuffed-sweet-potatoes/
Cruciferous Crunch Salad
https://www.diannesvegankitchen.com/cruciferous-crunch-salad/
Steamed Chinese Vegetables and Brown Rice
Spicy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
https://masonfit.com/spicy-air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries/
Glamping Easy Power Muesli
Make it better: Make your own dried fruit without sugar or with a sugar substitute and/or add fresh berries to serve.
https://champagne-tastes.com/glamping-easy-power-muesli/
https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/dry-fruit-your-oven-no-dehydrator-required-0152937/
Gingery Cabbage Rolls with (Chicken) and (Brown) Rice and Chili Sauce
Make it Better (rolls): Use ground chicken or turkey instead of pork and use brown rice instead of white.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021583-gingery-cabbage-rolls-with-pork-and-rice
Make it Better (chili sauce): Use a sugar substitute
https://thewoksoflife.com/dumpling-sauce-recipe/
Plant a Healing Garden for Breast Cancer
Blackberry bushes
Blueberry bushes
Strawberry bushes
Cantaloupe
Arugula
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Collard greens
Garlic
Kale
Green peas
Leeks
Parsley
Radishes
Beets
Turnips
Beans
Red chili peppers
Rosemary
Saffron
Turmeric
Wasabi
Chamomile
Dandelions
Carrots
Mint
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