Breast Cancer Prevention~

For so many women, there is no more dreaded disease than breast cancer. Breast cancer elicits fears related to loss of body image and sexuality, surgery, and death. As is the case for most cancers, the exact cause of breast cancer is not clearly known. Furthermore, there is currently no cure for advanced disease, and there is no definitive way of preventing it.

Our knowledge of how breast cancer develops is expanding rapidly. As a result, new medications are being developed to reduce the risk of breast cancer among women at high risk of contracting this disease. For the majority of women, lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, cautious use of selected antioxidants, exercise, and weight reduction can also help reduce the chance of developing breast cancer. To date, the most important strategy in improving survival is still breast cancer screening and early detection. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. The leading cause is lung cancer. One in every eight women in the United States develops breast cancer. The risk is even higher for women with previous breast cancer, those who have first-degree relatives with breast cancer, those with multiple family members with cancer, and those who have inherited "cancer genes."

 

Behavior modification that includes:

•Dietary intervention

◦Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

◦A reduction in calories
◦A lowered fat consumption

◦An increase in fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption

•Physical activity

◦Increased frequency

◦At least moderate intensity

Medical, pharmacological, and surgical intervention:

•May be necessary for people with more serious cases of overweight and obesity

•Have to be used in conjunction with behavior, diet, and physical activity modifications

It is important to look for a plan that includes strategies for maintaining weight loss. There is nothing worse than regaining the weight that took you an enormous amount of hard work and patience to lose.

 

Most popular diets are considered fad diets. There is no clear definition for what constitutes a fad diet. Merriam-Webster defines a fad as "a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal." Fad diets often promise quick results with a short time commitment. Long-term success requires permanent changes in behavior, diet, and activity.

Ways to spot a fad diet:

•It claims fast weight loss

•Claims that sound too good to be true

•Foods defined as "good" and "bad"

•Less than 1,000 calories daily

•A required vitamin/mineral supplement or food product

•Elimination of a major food group (grains, fats, meats, dairy, fruit, vegetables)

•Lack of long-term randomized scientific studies proving the diet works and is safe. A randomized study distributes participants in a deliberately random way into either the non-tested diet group or the special diet group. Some fad diets state there is research to support their claims, but the research is only done with a few people or does not exist.

•Elimination of an essential nutrient (carbohydrates, fats, proteins)

•No activity or exercise needed

•It's written by someone with no expertise in weight management

The following review examines the advantages and disadvantages of several popular diet plans. Many of the diets emphasize the restriction of one nutrient as the basis for their plan. The other food groups and nutrients are allowed in limited or unlimited quantities, depending on the plan. Weight loss is impossible without a calorie restriction, so each diet has to provide fewer calories than your body needs to maintain your weight. Any diet that claims otherwise can end up causing weight gain. Various diet plans are summarized below to help you learn to review them for safety and effectiveness.