Can Food Fight Breast Cancer?

Q: Are there certain foods I can eat to lower the risk of breast cancer? -- Robin R., Greenville, SC

South Beach Diet answers the question

Maybe. Like everyone, you should eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and other whole foods to get the full complement of micronutrients. Some of these natural, disease-fighting chemicals may be especially protective. At the April meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, researchers presented data showing that women with high intakes of flavonoids -- antioxidants found in plant foods -- were 45 percent less likely to have breast cancer than women with the lowest intakes.

Also, women with high levels of vitamin D reduced their risk by up to 40 percent. Plus, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), February 2006, suggested (but didn't conclude) that women who reduced fat intake and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and grains had a 9 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to a control group. All these results dovetail beautifully with theSouth Beach Diet -- a varied, whole-food lifestyle plan that is low in saturated and trans fats.

For vitamin D, which we get from fortified low-fat and fat-free milk as well as sunshine, I recommend getting outdoors (after applying sunscreen) and walking every chance you get. This will also keep you active, which, as part of a healthy lifestyle, may help lower your risk.