Breast cancer is now among the top cancers affecting women globally, 16.7 million alone in 2017. That is why we need to know the role vitamins play in breast cancer.

While up to 15% of women with a family history of breast cancer will unfortunately develop this life altering illness, 85% of breast cancer in women is not related to previous family history. Therefore, not inherited.

This means that we can definitely reduce the risk of developing this disease. This is where nutrition has tremendous impact.

According to studies, the role vitamins play in breast cancer along with minerals impact risk factors and health during, and even after, breast cancer treatment. Breastcancer.org comments that besides hoping to improve your overall nutrition and sense of well-being, if you have had breast cancer you want to do everything you can to regain your strength through and beyond treatment, as well as reduce your risk of ever getting breast cancer again. Many people living with breast cancer hope to slow down or reverse the course of the disease.

Please consider that good nutrition is especially important if you have cancer because both the illness and its treatments can change the way you eat.   Both illness and treatments can also affect the way your body tolerates certain foods and uses nutrients. Now, on to the vegan sources that will help.

The Case for Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been shown to inhibit the out of control cell division and growth that can lead to breast cancer formation. In fact, studies point to a possible link between Vitamin D deficiency and a greater risk of breast cancer growth and spread.

According to the November 10, 2016 JAMA oncology article, at the time of breast cancer diagnosis, higher Vitamin D levels in the blood showed better long term survival in patients. All of this suggests that adequate Vitamin D levels, between 40 and 80 ng/ml, can both reduce the risk of breast cancer development and increase better outcomes in women already afflicted with the disease.

Vegan Sources of Vitamin D

1. Sun light.
2. Mushrooms,
3. Dandelion greens.
4. Sweet potatoes.
5. Vegetable oils.
6. Parsley.
7. Oatmeal.

The Case for Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has also shown to lower the risk of breast cancer. Various studies have shown a connection between eating foods rich in Vitamin C and risk reduction of breast and other cancers.

Vegan Sources of Vitamin C

1. Citrus fruits.
2. Berries.
3. Tomatoes.
4. Cantaloupe.
5. Pineapples.
6. Papaya.
7. Rose hips.
8. Sweet peppers.
9. Green leafy vegetables.
10. Onions.

The Case for Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a well known powerful free radical scavenger that is linked to disease prevention.

This vitamin has also been helpful when used in its topical form to treat skin irritation in women undergoing radiation treatment. It may also help ease some of the menopausal symptoms brought about by breast cancer treatments.

Vegan Sources of Vitamin E

1. Safflower, sun, olive, canola oils that are cold pressed.
2. Avocados.
3. Brazil nuts.
4. Peanuts.
5. Kelp and seaweed.
6. Beans.
7. Wheat germ.
8. Yams.
9. Green leafy vegetables.

To Sum Up

The topic of vitamin impact on breast cancer is vast and fascinating with seemingly endless amounts of available information. 

With this blog post, I hope to shed some light on this topic and empower women to take nutrition into their own hands. Remember to check with your doctor about this and other risk factors and how they pertain to your specific need for breast cancer sreening tests.

Continue on to our posts  below and learn about all the vitamins you’ll need to stay healthy and fabulous!!