Fruits are very important in combating the disease

 In this month of October, which is breast cancer awareness month, I will be offering titbits on how to protect your health through diet.

 Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in Ghana. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue, including breast cancer, starting with an optimum nutri­tion.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include, but are not limited to; breast lump or thickening, alteration in size, shape or appearance of a breast; dimpling, redness, pitting or oth­er alteration in the skin; change in nipple appearance or alter­ation in the skin surrounding the nipple (areola); and/or abnormal nipple discharge.

Some factors that may in­crease one’s risk of breast cancer include; female gen­der, increasing age,obesity, drinking alcohol, cigarette smoking, personal history of breast cancer, family histo­ry of breast cancer,among others.

Role of nutrition in the pro ­tection against the development, progressionand re-emerging of breast cancer

The immune system normally seeks out cancer cells and cells with damaged DNA and destroys them. Breast cancer may be a result of failure of such an effective immune de ­fence and surveillance.

Some vitamins and mineralssuch as V itamin A, B, C, D, E, beta carotene, selenium, zinc and iron enhance the functions of the immune system to ensure constant arrest and destruc­tion of cancer cells.

Today we will be covering the list of fruits containing such vitamins and minerals. These include:

• Citrus fruits: oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons and limes

• Pome fruits: apples and pears

• Stone fruits: apricots, cherries and peaches

• Tropical fruits: banana, pawpaw, man­goes, pineapples and melons

• Berries: strawberries

A selection of these fruits can be blended together into a smoothie fruit juice or cut into fruit salad and taken as breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner.

In our next chapter, vegetables containing such vitamins and minerals against breast can ­cer will be covered.

The writer, Bernice Korkor Asare is a Dietician and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Holistic Health Consult,“your diet your health, your health your wealth”

E-mail: info@holistichealthconsult.org