In our previous blog post, we explored current scientific insights regarding the roles of dietary fat, fruit and vegetable consumption, and carbohydrate intake in cancer management and recurrence prevention. Today’s blog will look at the role of dairy, fish and fish oil and soy.
Dairy
Several studies have shown that high-fat dairy intake is significantly related to higher breast cancer mortality as well as mortality from other diseases. However, low fat dairy did not demonstrate a direct correlation to breast cancer mortality. So, if you’re going to use dairy products, choose low-fat varieties of milk, yogurt or cheese. Better still – and what we recommend to our patients at the Block Center – consider some of the dairy alternatives available today, including unsweetened soy milk, almond milk (available in low-fat and unsweetened), and rice or oat milk.
Fish and Fish Oil
High intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish in the diet has been correlated with reduced breast cancer events (recurrences, new breast cancers) and reduced overall deaths from breast cancer and other causes. Fish that are high in omega-3 fats include salmon, sardines, anchovies, tuna, cod, haddock, Atlantic mackerel, halibut and other fish from northern oceans. We recommend reducing or avoiding tropical fish, like tilapia, or farmed catfish, which are not high in omega-3s.
Soy
There has long been controversy as to whether an estrogen-sensitive breast cancer patient might worsen their disease by consuming soy products. In fact, a few leading breast cancer specialists have railed against the consumption of soy, raising worries of its safety. At the same time, breast cancer research at the Block Center demonstrated enhanced outcomes among patients consuming increased levels of soy. And now, emerging science from both the laboratory and from large scale epidemiological studies have confirmed what our early data suggested: soy is not harmful for breast cancer patients, and may, in fact, be quite helpful. When you add soy foods to your diet, emphasize the relatively un-processed types of soy, such as tofu, edamame, miso and tempeh. These are healthier and less caloric than highly processed soy meat substitutes. Additionally, when used as a substitute for meat, soy may be helpful in controlling weight, since it’s lower in calories.
In addition to these dietary recommendations, it’s important to mention that there is research demonstrating that both obesity and weight gain following a breast cancer diagnosis can lower the chances of survival, as pointed out in a 2019 review article. If your weight is not ideal, a plan for weight loss that incorporates sound nutritional choices and exercise is a powerful way to improve your outcome.