Supplements Don't Need to Stand on the Sidelines in Battle Against Breast Cancer

While womens health should always be a topic were talking about, theres no better time than October, also known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to discuss the dietary supplements and lifestyle changes that may help to prevent one of the most common cancers among American women.

And its especially key to stress this to our friends in the mainstream media.

Recent research indicates a variety of dietary supplements with preventative or slowing effects on the development of breast cancer. Common multivitamin and mineral supplements taken once daily showed a 30 percent lower risk of death from invasive breast cancers.

Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to slow the growth of cancers and were especially effective on muting the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Similarly, a meta-analysis of 26 clinical studies indicated a marine-based supplement of omega-3 fatty acids could cut the chances of developing breast cancer by 14 percent.

Other supplements showing positive results for reducing breast cancer include curcumin, vitamin D, folate or vitamin B9, vitamin B12, methionine, and drinking green tea.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation provides a long list of natural supplements and findings about their effects in preventing or treating cancers. There are a lot of options for preventive wellness, but its also important to consult a physician and have regular check-upsespecially for those with a greater risk of cancer due to health or family history.

Let me clarify: supplements, of course, are not the only option. They are, excuse the word, supplemental In general, adopting healthier habits can also play a role in preventing cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight is important because obesity increases risk of breast cancer after menopause. Similarly, regular physical exercise can help with keeping a healthy weight. Drinking little or no alcohol and not smoking are also good cancer prevention habits.

If you want to spread the word about supplements and breast cancer to your media contacts, stress the following tips:

1.) Diet may play a role in breast cancer prevention. Consuming fats may increase risk of developing breast cancer while eating fruits, vegetables, and grains may reduce this risk. For example, The University of CaliforniaSan Francisco recommends decreasing consumption of fats to 10 to 20 percent of daily caloric intake for breast cancer prevention, along with eating more grains, vegetables, fruits, and plant-based protein like beans and soy.

2.) Health experts also warn that hormone replacement therapy, a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, can increase the risk of breast cancer. If contemplating hormone therapy, prospective patients should talk with their physician to best understand the risks and potentially create a plan to limit dosing and duration of the treatment.

3.) avoiding exposure to radiation and environmental pollution has also been suggested for breast cancer prevention. For example, try to use x-ray or other imaging tests only when absolutely necessary. It can be harder to avoid other environmental exposures, but its good to be aware about your surroundings.

The overall message you should convey is the one weve been espousing for years: Breast cancer prevention and overall health can be supported by careful use of appropriate dietary supplements along with embracing good health habits concerning diet and exercise.