Staying Current on Nutrition and Physical ActivityRecommendations for Breast Cancer

Michelle Busch RD, LD

​One day you see the headlines proclaim that decreasing dietary fat will reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Almost the very next day the headline reads, “Dietary fat has no impact on breast cancer risk.” What are you supposed to believe? There’s seemingly so much contradiction, it’s hard to believe anyone knows what they are talking about. Unfortunately, the media does not really help you or me see the real picture. Any new study that makes a good headline hits the papers, often out of context and without regard to the true weight of the information presented.

The cause or causes of breast cancer, and all cancers for that matter, are not completely understood. It seems that a complex interaction of factors likely contributes to its origin. Some of these factors cannot be avoided such as heredity. On the other hand, lifestyle factors can be changed. Will changing your lifestyle prevent cancer? Not necessarily, but it will tip the scales in your favor. There are several things you CAN do that have been scientifically shown to reduce the risk of cancer occurrence and possibly recurrence. Things that have stood the test of time through research, even if we do not yet completely understand why and how.

The science of nutrition and cancer is relatively new and more exciting information is constantly being discovered. As the science develops, we better understand how diet affects health. Remember when all fat was bad? Well, now we understand that there are “good fats” and “bad fats.” The same is being discovered about sources of carbohydrates. Some information may seem contradictory, but in actuality we are gaining deeper understanding as the research continues.

It turns out that exercise may play as important a role in cancer prevention as diet, especially with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society produces guidelines for nutrition and physical activity which are updated every 5 years. Following is a summary of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines approved on May 19, 2006. They can be accessed with more detail on their website, www.cancer.org .

Keep in mind that if you have already been diagnosed with or have a history of breast cancer, it is thought that following these recommendations may possibly prevent the recurrence of cancer. More research is now being conducted on breast cancer survival in terms of diet and exercise. Exercise has been shown to be especially promising in reducing breast cancer recurrence. 

ACS Recommendations for Individual Choices:
• Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
o Balance caloric intake with physical activity.
o Avoid excessive weight gain throughout life.
o Achieve and maintain a healthy weight if currently overweight or obese.

• Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
o Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, above usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week; 45 to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity are preferable.
(My note: research has shown that as little as 10 minutes of activity a day may reduce risk. Some is definitely better than none!!! )

• Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant sources.
o Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
o Eat 5 or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
o Choose whole grains in preference to processed (refined) grains. o Limit consumption of processed and red meats.

• If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption.
o Drink no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men.

Contact a registered dietitian in your area if you would like help in individualizing a diet plan tailored to your needs. To help locate one in your area, check www.eatright.org or call your local hospital. 

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