One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. So does actress Olivia Newton-John, who has now died of the disease. A new study shows how you can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Around 70,000 women in Germany develop breast cancer every year. The disease is one of the most common types of cancer, with an average of one in eight women being diagnosed with it in the course of their lives. British-Australian pop singer and actress Olivia Newton-John also suffered from the disease for over 30 years – and has now died from it.
However, as more and more studies show, there are ways for every woman to reduce the risk of developing a disease – for example through diet. A research team from China has now determined which food group is suitable for this.
Using 1,600 participants and about the same number of controls, the experts determined the connection between the risk of breast cancer and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. They found that higher omega-3 intake was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. This was especially true in premenopausal women. The research team published its results in the journal “Menopause” , a publication of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
“This study highlights the effect of lifestyle habits, and specifically dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, on breast cancer risk,” said NAMS President Chrisandra Shufelt. It is known that lifestyle (or diet) contributes up to a third to the risk of breast cancer.
“Women can influence their risk of developing breast cancer by changing their diet to include fruits and vegetables, fiber and whole grains, and avoiding high-fat animal and dairy products,” she advises.
“Since the human body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids naturally, these food sources are essential,” the researchers also emphasize. So that means you need to get those fatty acids through your diet. Good sources for this are therefore
The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends around 1.5 grams of alpha-linolenic acid per day for an adult, which is part of the omega-3 fatty acids. This amount is contained in a tablespoon of rapeseed oil or a teaspoon of linseed oil, for example.
In addition to diet, there are other factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. The most important sources of danger that you should avoid in addition to diet:
How does breast cancer even develop? Cells in the breast tissue – especially in the milk ducts and glandular lobules – can change, for example enlarge, or multiply uncontrollably. In most cases this is harmless, but it can also become malicious. The risk factors mentioned play a role here.
