Food Group Linked to Higher Risk of Breast Cancer

Health Wellness

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer and although everyone thinks of women, breast cancer does occur in a small percentage of men. Over the years, it seems that more women fear learning they have breast cancer than any other form of cancer.

How prevalent is breast cancer? According to BreastCancer.org about 12.4% of women will be diagnosed with some form of invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. While 12.4% may not sound like that many, realize that it’s about 1 of every 8 women. Next time you’re with a group of ladies, count how many there are there at the time and then divide by 8 and that’s how many will likely develop breast cancer.

BreastCancer.org estimates that about 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year, along with about 63,960 cases of non-invasive breast cancer. As for men, they estimate that around 2,550 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.

Although treatment for breast cancer has been steadily improving and increasing the survivability rate, it is still estimated that about 40,920 women will die from breast cancer this year.

Did you know that most cases of breast cancer begin in the milk producing ducts and the glandular tissues of the breast?

So what causes breast cancer?

Well, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, caffeine, deodorant, microwaves, cell phones and contact with someone with breast cancer do NOT cause anyone to get breast cancer.

We’ve all heard reports of the genetic link to breast cancer and that if it runs in the family, chances are greater for developing the disease. After identifying some of the genes associated with increased risk of breast cancer, it is estimated that genetics account for about 5% to 10%. Some place those figures higher, which has led some women to have genetic testing done and then finding out they carry those genes, they have preventative mastectomies performed to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

In addition to genetics, doctors say that other factors associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer including environmental, lifestyle and hormonal.

According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors include:

  • Being female
  • Getting older
  • Family or personal history
  • Exposure to  radiation
  • Obesity
  • Starting your menstrual cycle at a younger age
  • Starting menopause at an older age
  • Having your first child at an older age
  • Never being pregnant
  • Undergoing postmenopausal hormone therapy
  • Consumption of alcohol

You can now add a specific food group to the list of risk factors for developing breast cancer, according to a recent report:

“Eating processed meats, such as sausages, bacon and chorizo, increases the risk of developing breast cancer by around 9 per cent, a large new analysis has shown.”

“Drawing data from more than a million women, the team from Harvard University’s T H Chan School of Public Health reviewed 15 studies in this area and found the biggest effect among women who reported eating the most processed meat…”

“‘Previous works linked increased risk of some types of cancer to higher processed meat intake, and this recent meta-analysis suggests that processed meat consumption may also increase breast cancer risk,’ said Dr Maryam Farvid, lead author of the study, in the International Journal of Cancer.”

“‘Therefore, cutting down processed meat seems beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer’.”

“The WHO has also warned that red meats are probably carcinogenic, but two of the studies which examined the area found no obvious effect.”

Nothing tastes better in the morning than some hot crisp bacon or a fully cooked link or patty of sausage to go with whatever else you like for breakfast. However, you need to realize that will every bite of the savory food, you are increasing your risk of developing breast cancer. Only you can answer the question of which is more important to you, your favorite breakfast foods or your breasts and possibly your life?

Breast Cancer Diet

Related Posts