THE TRUTH BEHIND THE MAIN MYTHS
ientists n over a t cancer y found ly to a ikely to breast did not nd. an den astricht Nethere study, ong link ean diet egative opausal ranean a-3 fatty ls that, from Oxford University has shown that 15 minutes of daily vigorous exercise could cut risk by 20%.
The study of 125,000 postmenopausal women showed that those who did between 15 minutes and 35 minutes of vigorous physical activity a day, such as running, were less likely to develop breast cancer compared with those who did none.
“You don’t have to join a gym,” says Eluned. “Any activity that gets you warm and breathing heavier counts.” Researchers have found that women who consume more red meat may have a higher risk of breast cancer later in life. Oily fish, like salmon, is rich in healthy fats – mainly omega-3 fatty acids. A large-scale analysis of international studies published in the British Medical Journal found women who consumed the most fishbased omega-3 fatty acids were 14% less likely to have breast cancer, compared to those who ate the least. Chinese women who ate a few fresh mushrooms every day were about two-thirds less likely to develop breast cancer than nonmushroom eaters, according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer. Some evidence suggests mushrooms act in a similar way to breast cancer drugs called aromatase inhibitors, which block the body’s production of cancer-feeding hormone oestrogen.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale contain an anti-inflammatory compound known as sulforaphane, which has been found to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Stress not only impacts on our overall health, it can lead to unhealthy lifestyle habits that contribute to cancer risk, such as a bad diet, smoking and drinking alcohol, says Eluned. Find a healthy stress reliever that works for you – whether it’s meditation, yoga or reading a book in the bath. Alcohol increases your breast cancer risk and, unfortunately, there is no safe limit, says Eluned. Try swapping boozy drinks for similar tasting alternatives, a good option is slimline tonic blitzed with fresh fruit, or opt for weaker drinks like white wine spritzers, suggests Rachel.
Researchers in Barcelona found people who ate their dinner before 9pm, or waited two hours after eating before going to sleep, were found to have a 20% lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who ate after 10pm or close to bedtime. Eating late is common in Spanish culture. “There is no evidence to suggest that a bump or bruise to the breast area causes breast cancer,” says Alana Blair, health information marketing manager at Breast Cancer Now. “After an injury, you might be taking more notice of your breasts and therefore be more likely to notice something unusual.” Sometimes an injury can lead to a benign (not cancerous) lump known as fat necrosis – scar tissue that can form when the body naturally repairs the damaged fatty breast tissue, adds Rachel Rawson. “While it’s not possible to isolate any one factor as a cause of breast cancer, there’s currently no evidence that radio waves from mobile phones cause breast cancer or increase the risk of developing it,” explains Rachel. “Since the late 90s, rumours about deodorants and antiperspirants causing breast cancer have been rife – but the evidence does not support this claim,” explains Alana. “What is true is that women are asked to avoid using antiperspirants before they go for a mammogram. This is because the aluminium particles in these products can sometimes show up on the X-ray image, resulting in an inaccurate reading.” While this isn’t true, if you do have implants, you should let your screening service know before an appointment, advises Alana. “Implants make it hard for a radiographer to see breast tissue, so they may need to take X-rays from different angles to ensure all tissue is seen. They may also need to check it straight away to ensure it has worked properly.”