Food that Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer affecting women during their lifetime. It also occurs in men but the probability of the same is very low. There are multiple causative factors that can result in breast cancer. Lifestyle also play a crucial role in it with multiple research work validating the effect of heavy drinking, smoking, dietary pattern and western high processed diets on the risk of breast cancer. Let us look at 5 such foods that increase the risk of breast cancer.

1. Refined Carbs: Refined carbohydrates are very unhealthy and may increase the risk of breast cancer. They are high in sugars and fats and have the ability to increase oxidative stress and free radical damage to the cells. It is best to replace refined carbs like breads and sugary baked goods with complex whole grain cereals and nutrient dense veggies.
2. Processed Meats: Processed meats are classified as class 1 carcinogens which indirectly supports the fact that they have a higher ability to cause cancer. Cooking and Processing the meat especially at a high temperature introduces various chemicals like HCAs and PAHs that may lead to breast cancer.
3. Fried Foods: Fried foods have the potential to form cancer cells as a result of genome mutation. Another reason for this is also the presence of carcinogenic compounds like acrylamides and heterocyclic amines, that are developed when oil is heated at high temperatures. These toxic compounds are also increased when oil is re- used and the length of frying time is increased.
4. Sugar: Overconsumption of Suga leads to an unhealthy dietary pattern that results in obesity. Obesity is one of the primary risk factors for cancer. Some studies also advocate the fact that breast cancer risk may be related to how the body responds to sugar. It all depends on your body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels which is associated with risk of cancer cell growth.
5. Alcohol: The more alcohol you drink, higher is the risk of developing cancer. However, in case of breast cancer, even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of developing the same. This is due to the presence of carcinogen acetaldehyde which is formed when ethanol present in alcohol is metabolized.