Toshihiko Natsume writes:
Mrs. Masuda believes that the risk
of breast cancer depends on nationality so she is not at risk. But the
risk is not from nationality but from the kind of life style she leads.
It is yet not clear what are the risk factors of breast cancer but some
research has shown epidemiologically that when women move from a country
with a low incidence of breast cancer, such as Japan, to a country with
a high incidence, such as the United States, their breast-cancer risk goes
up. A professor suggested that this fact is caused by the quantity of intake
of trans fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid between American and Asian
women -- an American woman's intake of trans fatty acids is about twice
that of European and Asian women.
As general information, we know that a factor for cancer is oxidation of
organ components, so to take antioxidant like vitamin A or E is effective
for preventing cancer. In addition to certain kinds of fat, the best established
dietary risk factor for breast cancer is alcohol intake, which appears
to increase risk even among moderate drinkers. Also, recent data suggest
that weight gain in adulthood may be a risk factor for breast cancer.
From here we can see that the risk of breast cancer is related to life
style. A trans fatty acid-rich and fiber-poor diet is the cause behind
the rise in cancer risk. So to reduce the risk of breast cancer, she has
to change her life style.
--Advice for Mrs. Masuda--
First of all, you should understand that the risk of breast cancer doesn't
depend on nationality but life style. (Facts that I will tell her are detailed
above.)
Now let me advise you what you should do to reduce breast cancer risk and
to maintain your health. In the interview I see some problems related to
the risk factor of breast cancer. First of all you should reduce the quantity
of animal fat you eat, such as beef or pork, because these meats contain
plenty of saturated fat, a kind of fat which is thought a risk factor for
breast cancer, and only a small quantity of unsaturated fat, a factor for
reducing breast cancer risk. So you should avoid these saturated fatty
food and choose unsaturated food such as fish or chicken in place of beef
or pork. Also to diminish a risk factor for breast cancer you should quit
drinking.
And now I want to advise you to control your weight. You are rather overweight
and have high LDL in the blood. This means you are at risk of lifestyle
diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension caused by arteriosclerosis.
So you should try correcting your diet. First, you don't need to skip your
meals, because if you skip meals, you will feel tremendous hunger and as
a rebound, you will overeat. This is the cause for your diet not being
a success. Have a balanced meal. Traditional Japanese food is good, for
example, but taking care of the quantity of salt, and doing exercise, such
as taking a walk, are also important. And general information for good
health: take fruits and vegetables, which are chemically very complex,
and contain many biochemicals that may contribute to reduction of cancer
risk, especially broccoli or cooked tomatoes. And I recommend you use olive
oil for cooking, which contains abundant unsaturated fatty acid.
Well....to realize a correct diet,
please write down what you eat and your daily activity and come to show
me this once a week. Then, I'll check it and advise you if there is some
problem. Let's work together to get success! Thank you.
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