Skip to content

‘I’m a radiologist – eat these 5 foods to reduce the risk of breast cancer’

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a radiologist has shared five foods that women can eat to reduce the risk of the disease.

A medical expert revealed foods that are good for your health and can help reduce the risk of breast cancer, including leafy greens, spicy substances, sweet berries, and a specific type of fatty fish.

Radiologist shares health advice to reduce breast cancer risk

Around one in eight women in the US will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, according to a BMJ study on the rising cases.

In a clip from Fox News medical contributor Dr Nicole Saphier shares habits and healthy foods that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Being a woman, aging, and inheriting a genetic mutation are all common risk factors for breast cancer, however, environmental toxins that you are exposed to can also increase this.

Western diets, full of ultra-processed foods and a lot of the toxins in day-to-day products like lotions and shampoos, can impact the body.

Firstly, Dr Nicole Saphier explains the benefits of breastfeeding – that it is not only good for the baby, it’s also great for the mother.

Although we are unable to entirely get rid of the chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer, there are things that can reduce this risk.

biologist analyzing a brunch of tomatoes in laboratory.
Credit: Witthaya Prasongsin via Getty Images

Along with a healthy diet, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, not smoke, only consume alcohol in moderation, and other healthy lifestyle habits.

Firstly, spinach is a great superfood! Big leafy greens containing carotenoids, which are important for human health because they are a source of vitamin A, which is essential for many physiological processes.

Garlic is an allium vegetable that contains many organosulfur compounds, which are chemical compounds that have been shown to have a number of health benefits. Small studies show a decreased risk of breast cancer. Next up, blueberries! Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid that are responsible for the purple-blue color of blueberries and are a major contributor to their health benefits.

A large study on 75,000 women, showed to decrease the risk of estrogen-negative breast cancer (one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer).

Salmon has known health benefits. A huge study involving 883,000 women showed a 14% decreased risk of breast cancer with regular consumption of these fatty fish.

Finally, turmeric. Some studies suggest that curcumin in turmeric has a variety of health benefits, including fighting cancer cells.

The spice decreases inflammation and Dr. Nicole Saphier explains it is shown in a study with colorectal patients, improving survival when it was used in combination of traditional cancer treatments.

Nicole B. Saphier, MD is a radiologist and Director of Breast Imaging at�MSK Monmouth, she has extensive expertise in all areas of radiology, especially breast and body imaging.