How to prevent breast cancer with sulforaphane?

Breast cancer is a major health problem in women. It has risk factors, some of which are preventable and some cannot be prevented. Just like any cancer, breast cancer does not have a complete cure. Some of the ways through which it can be prevented and be treated early to save life are described below.

The factors that cause breast cancer in a woman are genetic factors (certain genes BRCA-1 or BRCA-2), normal aging (over 50 years), family history and personal history of any other cancer, early menarche (before 12 years of age), nulliparity (women who have never borne any children), late maternal age at first birth (first child after 30 years of age), late menopause (over 55 years of age), history of benign breast diseases, habits like smoking and alcohol intake, hormones (taken as oral contraception, hormone replacement therapy), obesity (high fat diet) and breast implants.

Among these factors, genes, normal aging, family history of cancers or benign breast diseases, early menarche, and late menopause cannot be prevented but habits like alcohol intake and smoking, nulliparity, late maternal age at first birth, obesity, and breast implants can be prevented. Luckily, researchers have proved that cancers caused by hormones can be prevented by adding sulforaphane to the diet which is present in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.

It has been studied and proved that the cruciferous vegetables contain a natural photochemical compound known as glucosinolates. This is broken down in the body into sulforaphane which is a strong cancer cell killer. It is proved that it acts only on the cancer cells and it is specific to those cancers that are caused by hormones (breast cancer and prostate cancer). Adding slightly steamed cruciferous vegetables 3-4 ounces a week can prevent breast cancers. Adding broccoli sprouts, radish, wasabi and arugula with broccoli can double the anti-cancer effect. Too much cooking or using a microwave to steam destroys 90 percent of glucosinolates, an enzyme that is caused to produce sulforaphane that fights and kills cancer stem cells. Thus sulforaphane not only kills the existing cancer cells but also prevents the formation of cancer stem cells.

It is always better to eat healthy. Vegetables and fruits, and folate rich foods must be included in the diet and fatty foods should be avoided. Avoiding alcohol consumption reduces the risk of getting breast cancer. Though smoking is not related to breast cancer, smoking tends to cause lung cancers which soon affect the breast. Obesity and fat deposition in the breast are believed to cause cancers. Exercise is a good idea to keep cancers at bay. Exercising keeps the body fit and also produces good hormones and decreases the hormone levels that have cancer risk. Avoiding unnecessary treatments like breast implants can reduce the chance of cancers

Many prefer settling financially first and then get married and think that the age of 30 is ideal for getting married which is incorrect. Getting married in early twenties and having babies and breast feeding them will help to prevent breast cancer.

Though these are certain measures that can prevent breast cancer, steps like self-breast examination from the age of 20, breast examination by health care professionals every 3 years from 20 years and every year over 40 years, mammograms every 3 years over 30 years and annually over 40 years can help in early diagnosis of breast cancers. The earlier the diagnosis and earlier the treatment, the better the prognosis.