Breast cancer is a form of the disease that has been a serious cause for concern for women across the US. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you should be aware of it and know the warning signs, symptoms, and possible methods of treatment for the condition. Aside from this, it is crucial to know about changes that can be made to help prevent the development of this condition. A few different lifestyle and dietary changes such as avoiding the foods linked to breast cancer can help to reduce your risk of contracting this type of cancer. Here is a list of foods you must avoid as a precaution.

Red meat
Red meats are on top of the list of foods linked to breast cancer and should be avoided. There is a reason for this. Grilling red meat releases compounds known as heterocyclic amines or HCA. These compounds increase oxidation in the body and the risk of breast cancer. Avoiding red meat, however, does not mean that you should turn vegetarian. Just limit the consumption to not more than six ounces a day and you should be able to prevent breast cancer to a significant extent.

Grapefruit
Grapefruit is an avoidable food if you have a history of breast cancer in your family. This is because grapefruit increases the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body, putting her at a greater risk of being affected by breast cancer. If you are fond of the taste of grapefruit, switch to other citrus fruits that are healthier and safer for people at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Vegetable oils
All kinds of vegetable oils can be considered as foods linked to breast cancer. The oils include soybean, sunflower, corn, and safflower. All of them are high in polyunsaturated fats and these fats have been found to promote cancer-causing oxidation in the body. Therefore, in your daily diet, you should replace vegetable oils with extra virgin oil or canola oil. It is advisable that you eliminate mayonnaise from your diet too as it contains partially hydrogenated oil. Butter, on the other hand, is safe to consume.

Sweets
If you have a family history of breast cancer, then it is time to cut down on desserts, if not eliminate them completely. Sweets, added sugars, and sweetened desserts are among the foods linked to breast cancer, as suggested by medical practitioners.

Processed meats
Much like well-cooked and grilled red meats, processed meats too should be avoided to lower the risk of breast cancer. Store-bought processed meats such as deli meats, ham, bacon, and hot dogs contain certain compounds that are used as preservatives. These preservatives turn into cancer-causing compounds in the body and are hence, unsafe. An occasional consumption of these meals are a better option rather than having them every other day.

By incorporating a few changes in your daily diet and avoiding the primary foods linked to breast cancer, you can have a healthy and cancer-free life.