16 Foods That Prevent Breast Cancer

About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer by the age of 95. Genetics play a strong role in some cases, but lifestyle and dietary factors may also play a role in many cases. Here are 17 foods that may help prevent breast cancer or, once the cancer has developed, prevent it from spreading.

Turmeric

In one study of mice, researchers found that turmeric helped to prevent breast cancer from spreading to the lungs.

Blueberries

According to one study, the phytochemicals in blueberries work together to stop the growth and spread of triple-negative breast cancer, which carries a poorer prognosis than other forms of breast cancer.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which has been found to lower the risk of breast cancer.

Avocados

Avocados are high in oleic acid, which studies have found to prevent cancer.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts and all other cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates which are powerful cancer fighters. Brussels sprouts appear to have the most beneficial combination of glucosinolates when it comes to warding off breast cancer and other types of cancer.

Pomegranate Juice

Promising research in Israel shows that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. Pomegranate juice may also prevent new breast cancer cells from forming.

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseeds contain high levels of lignans, which protect against . Lignans may protect against estrogen-dependent cancers.

Green Tea

Studies show that drinking green tea lowers the risk of developing breast cancer and prevents it from spreading in women who have already have the disease. This is due to a compound in green tea called EGCG.

Garlic

Studies show that garlic eradicates breast cancer cells in testHave some garlic with that meat. Research has found that cooking garlic with meat reduces the carcinogenic chemicals in cooked meat that may be linked to breast cancer.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a chemical that fights breast cancer by converting the type of estrogen that causes cancer into a more cancer-protective type of estrogen.

Cauliflower

Like broccoli, cauliflower is a great source of indole-3-carbinol.

Spinach

One study found that women who ate spinach at least twice a week had half the rate of breast cancer as women who didn't eat spinach.

Grapefruit

Studies show that grapefruit may inhibit breast cancer cells from proliferating.

Dark Cherries

Studies in rats found that a compound in cherries may inhibit breast cancer.

Kelp

A study at UC Berkeley found that a diet high in kelp lowered serum estradiol levels in women and had phytoestrogenic properties. Sea vegetables also contain chlorophylones, fatty acids that may help in the prevention of breast cancer. In addition, kelp contains fucoidan, which has been found in studies to induce apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells.

Artichokes

Research has found that artichoke leaf extract induces apoptosis (cell death) and reduces cell proliferation in many types of cancer, including breast cancer. One Italian study found that the flavanoids in artichokes reduce the risk of breast cancer.