Breast cancer affects mainly women, but men have been known to contract the disease. While there are no single cure or prevention, there are guidelines to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Aside from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, your everyday diet may also play a significant role in reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Here are five foods that are known to reduce the risk of breast cancer according to the UCSF Medical Center.

Soy

While it’s true that soy can help prevent breast cancer, you should be selective about your soy products. Isoflavones have similar structures to estrogen, one of the main culprits of uncontrollable breast cells’ growth.

However, soy products without isoflavones such as tempeh, tofu, edamame, or soy nuts provide a rich amount of vitamins, protein, and healthy fat with a meager amount of carbohydrates.

These healthy soy products have been observed over the past 25 years to have a contribution in lowering the chance of breast cancer.

Salmon

The omega-3 stored in salmon can reduce tumour size by 60 – 70 per cent. Additionally, the omega-3s also prevent cancer by activating genes in your immune system.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin that is often associated with curing autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Curcumin has been widely recognised as the most potent cancer-fighting food. It can block the harmful substance in tumour cells and the tumour-promoting molecules.

Broccoli

This anti-cancer cruciferous vegetable is proven to block tumour growth. When chewed and broken down, the glucosinolates in broccoli form indoles and isothiocyanates substances that inhibit the development of cancer.

Onions & Garlic

Garlic and onions contain a component called allyl sulfide. This component has a significant impact on cell cycling.

There are other beneficial fruits to help prevent breast cancer such as apples, pomegranate, and berries. Additionally, consuming walnuts and flaxseeds on a daily basis is also advised to help prevent breast cancer, especially for those with a high risk of breast cancer historically.

To find out more about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent breast cancer, you may consult with medical experts through the Okadoc app.