We all know someone who smoked, drank and ate bacon every day yet escaped a diagnosis.
The area that probably generates the most debate?
Knowing what to eat.
So how do you sort through myriad studies, complete with caveats and exceptions?
Well, you don’t, because we did it for you.
SELF went to the experts and scrutinized the latest research to summarize the best cancer-fighting eating advice so far.
But first, a list that tells you what to forgo and what to fill up on.
How much to eatYou can’t have too much, but five weekly half-cup servings is a reasonable goal.
Because fiber speeds the passage of stool through the colon, cells have less exposure to potentially carcinogenic waste.
Roughage may also sop up excess estrogen and insulin, two hormones linked to breast cancer.
How much to eatAim for 25 grams (from food) a day.
Beans, whole-grain breads with added fiber, fruit and veggies can help get you there, too.
Foods rich in vitamin D and calciumYour breasts and colon may get protection from this vitamin/mineral combo.
Fortified milk and orange juice are good sources of both.
The theory: Lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red color, may help prevent cell damage.
The research, however, is far from proven.
Still, these foods are absolutely healthy, so SELF says, Eat them!
Certainly, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which protect against cell damage.
But as with tomatoes, it’s not clear if the findings hold up in the real world.
How much to eatMake berries and tomatoes a part of your nine fruit and veggie servings a day.
Red and processed meatStill reluctant to trade your hot dog for a not dog?
You may want to reconsider.
How much to eatThink of meat as a side dish, Kushi says.
Stick to less than 3 ounces of red meat a day, and avoid charring as much as possible.
Plus, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying life!
(We asked.)
Still, there is evidence suggesting that keeping fat intake low may offer some breast cancer protection.
How much to eatNo more than 30 percent of your calories should come from fat.
That’s about 60 grams of fat for women eating 1,800 calories a day.
SoySoy is generally good for you, but its exact relationship with breast cancer is still being sussed out.
How much to eat About 20 grams or less daily.
“God put more good things in an apple than I know about,” he says.
Photo Credit: Ericka McConnell
