Breast Cancer Prevention and Oncology Education

According to global cancer statistics, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among females, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases reported in 2020. Today, science says that there is a conclusive link between prevention and development of invasive breast cancer and lifestyle-based interventions such as healthy diet and lifestyle and physical activity. Minimal amounts of exercise in daily life and adopting recommended healthy diet-set menus reduce the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer and also mitigate the side effects of cancer treatment.

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle in terms of high-quality food intake influences the risk of breast cancer onset. Fresh fruits and vegetables are natural antioxidants. Adopting the lifestyle with routine consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables increases the consumer polyphenol level in the body that helps in fighting against tumorigenesis. Nutrition-scientists found that cooking red meat at high temperature; releases carcinogenic compounds like heterocyclic amines, N-nitroso compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which mediate the onset of breast cancer. Similarly, consuming red wine speeds up the BC onset. Dietary fat consumption and high-saturated-fat diet increases the risk of BC in post-menopausal women. Soy is considered the best alternative of higher-calorie sources of proteins such as meat.

According to the World Cancer Research, regardless of menopausal status, physical activity plays a significant role in reducing the onset of BC and helps the patient in fighting with the disease. The American Cancer Society also started to advocate the inverse relationships between living a physically active lifestyle for the prevention and control of breast cancer and encourage the oncology clinics to endorse these lifestyle-based interventions at patient level to reduce and prevent breast cancer risk.

In cancer care, it is equally important to increase the involvement of oncology providers regarding the inclusion of exercise and diet both in survivors and the general public as the provision of advanced infrastructure to reduce the breast cancer burden. An oncologist’s job is to discuss all non-pharmacological approaches and pay extra attention to diet and exercise during their chemo-sessions for a healthy lifestyle change among the cancer patients. To reassure patients who might be uncertain about the safety or appropriateness of diet menu and exercise or weight loss after treatment, demand comprehensive guidelines from an oncology provider.

It has been suggested that there should be oncology counselor’s services to spread awareness about lack of cancer related health education and misinformation from outright sources on the internet or within the community. Oncology education should aim to provide credible and trusted educational materials that help the survivors about the optimal course to take with regard to physical activity and diet. Additionally, provision of knowledge at oncology practice should be clear and readable, attractive, and available in a simple language. For patients, who are out of those care units, there should be recommended web-resources sites where they can obtain an in-house patient education in printed or digital form.