Soy foods

Pre-menopausal women may benefit from the phyto-oestrogens in soy foods that help to block oestrogen from receptors and therefore may protect women from developing breast cancer. On the other hand, post-menopausal women may want to take a second look at soy foods, as they may become pro-oestrogen and instead add oestrogen to the body, increasing breast cancer risk.

Flaxseed

The phyto-oestrogen and antioxidant power in flaxseed (also known here as linseed as in Irish moss and linseed) apparently is coming up in the literature as an anti-cancer food. Flaxseed is a source of lignan that may be important in preventing breast cancer.

Vitamins

Here's to tropical sunshine, an excellent source of vitamin D, which is now coming up in the literature as a vitamin linked to reduced breast cancer risk. High amounts (about 1,000 IU) of the vitamin D apparently lowered the risk for breast cancer development by 50 per cent. You can also get vitamin D in eggs, milk and seafood. So it's vitamin D in addition to the antioxidant power of the ACE, vitamins A C and E.

Dietary fat

Science is still saying that less dietary fat decreases the risk for breast cancer. In fact, in one study in post-menopausal women, reducing dietary fat actually improves their breast cancer outcomes when they receive treatment for early-stage breast cancer. So read your food labels and watch out for the especially bad fats such as saturated fats and trans fat and stay clear of fatty meats.