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Breast Cancer

Episodes

Posted on February 5th 2022 (over 3 years)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.

Posted on December 4th 2021 (over 3 years)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.

Posted on October 2nd 2021 (over 3 years)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.

Topic Pages

  • Alcohol

    Alcohol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs and is associated with several health conditions.

  • Breast milk and breastfeeding

    Breast milk is a complex, dynamic fluid containing nutritional and non-nutritional components that support infant development. Breastfeeding benefits both infants and mothers.

  • Sulforaphane

    Sulforaphane is a bioactive compound that exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial against a wide range of chronic and acute diseases.

News & Publications

  • Higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of breast cancer, a 2022 study found. Women with the highest omega-3 intake were as much as 49 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those with the lowest intake.

    Researchers conducted a study that included more than 3,200 women, roughly half of whom had breast cancer. The women provided information about what they typically ate, including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and whether they were pre- or postmenopausal.

    The researchers found that a higher intake of omega-3 in the form of alpha-linolenic acid reduced breast cancer risk by 49 percent; a higher intake in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid reduced risk by 32 percent. The links between omega-3s and breast cancer risk were strongest among premenopausal women and women with hormone-sensitive tumors. Interestingly, higher omega-3 intake markedly reduced the risk of breast cancer among women who had obesity or overweight but not among those who had healthy weights.

    These findings suggest that omega-3s reduce the risk of breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including breast cancer. Learn how omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in this clip featuring Dr. Bill Harris.

  • Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women living in the United States, claiming the lives of approximately 41,000 women each year. Findings from a new study suggest that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

    The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. Moderate-intensity exercises include brisk walking, light cycling, or playing doubles tennis. Vigorous-intensity exercises include jogging, hiking, rigorous cycling, or playing basketball, soccer, or singles tennis. Data indicate that fewer than 23 percent of Americans achieve recommended levels of activity.

    The questionnaire-based study assessed the lifestyles of 1,340 women with breast cancer at multiple times throughout survivorship, including before, during, and after treatment. Women who met the guidelines before and after treatment were 55 percent less likely to have their cancer return and were 68 percent less likely to die from their cancer. But even if a woman didn’t start exercising until after her treatment began, she was likely to experience benefits, with a 46 percent lower risk of her cancer returning and a 43 percent lower risk of dying. These findings underscore the importance of engaging in regular activity as a means to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and death and suggest that a breast cancer diagnosis can provide an impetus to begin exercising.