Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN, Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist

It is never too early to have a candid discussion about breast cancer risk and prevention. Whether people in your family have survived this illness, or you're fairly far removed from this type of cancer, it's important to be aware that prevention and early detection save lives.

Breast cancer can affect women of all ages (and occasionally, men), but is much more common in women over age 40. Postmenopausal women, especially women over age 70, are at the highest risk.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 95% of women in the United States who are diagnosed with breast cancer are age 40 or older. This cancer does feature genetic links, meaning that if an immediate member of your family has had breast cancer, you should speak with your physician about your own risk and schedule regular cancer screenings.

Unlike heart disease and diabetes, where diet and lifestyle are responsible for both lowering risk and controlling symptoms, breast cancer prevention has more questions than answers. Healthful eating is important — but has not been proven to cure the illness or provide specific protections. However, the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov), outlines some lifestyle factors that may lower an individual's risk of developing breast cancer.

Here are a few lifestyle changes to consider

Controlling your weight

• Research indicates that controlling your weight is especially important during and after menopause in women, a time when breast cancer risk increases. Your goal is to balance food calories you need to maintain your health with calories you burn through exercise and other activity.

Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity

• The beneficial effects of exercise and activity on weight control provide obvious reasons to stay active at every age, and may lower your breast cancer risk. Physical activity may also offer a lift to your mood, which can be an asset when dealing with breast cancer or another medical condition.

Limiting alcohol consumption

• Alcohol is associated with increased breast cancer risk and adds empty calories to your diet, which can contribute to weight gain. Moderation is key. Strive for one drink or less each day. Four to five ounces of wine or one 12-ounce beer counts as one serving.

Eating fruits and vegetables

• The Fruits & Veggies — More Matters™ campaign, a joint effort of the Centers for Disease Control and the Produce for Better Health Foundation, encourages Americans to aim for a goal of at least five servings of produce each day. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat, and provide good sources of plant nutrients, which can be beneficial in building the body's defenses.

Eating foods low in saturated fat

• Aim for a heart-healthy approach to eating that is low in saturated fat. Include fruits, vegetables and grains (especially whole grains) to build a diet that can help reduce risk — or promote recovery from cancer.

The soy question

The question of eating soy, a quality protein with a heart-healthy profile, must be discussed with your medical doctor and a registered dietitian. Evidence for whether soy causes or prevents breast cancer is mixed, with the age at which soy is introduced, and the forms of soy consumed both influencing how individual women process it.

Your decision to eat soy — or skip it entirely — also depends on your cancer risk and personal health history. Many studies suggest that small portions of whole-soy foods, including edamame, tofu and tempeh, offer benefits. Many studies also advise limiting your consumption of processed or isolated soy, which can adversely affect estrogen levels.

Giant Eagle^® is a proud sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's efforts to raise awareness and work toward a cure for breast cancer. For more information, contact Nutrition@gianteagle.com.

Important Physician Advice Disclaimer: The content provided by Giant Eagle^®, including but not limited to, Web site, recipe and health information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician for professional guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems.

October 2010