Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, grocery shoppers are finding pink labels mixed in with the usual orange and brown found on the supermarket shelves. Every American knows that pink labels and pink ribbons represent a financial contribution to breast cancer research. But, while these pink labels are heartening, the reality is that many of the pink label products do not support any breast cancer organizations.

The pink ribbon is an unlicensed and unregulated symbol, so anyone can use it to mislead without any legal consequences. Unfortunately, many manufacturers are taking advantage of this to increase sales. This unethical marketing practice has spawned a grass roots campaign called “Think Before You Pink.” TBYP urges breast cancer conscious consumers to take 5 steps before purchasing a product adorned with a pink ribbon.

First, the consumer should find out how much money from their intended purchase would actually go towards breast cancer research. Did the company state this on the label?

Second, does the company have a donation maximum? Some companies agree to make donations per purchase up to a certain amount, and then the donations stop regardless of the pink label.

Third, how are the funds being raised? Some manufacturers create a fund raising bureaucracy that pretty much guarantees that the money never actually makes it to any breast cancer organization.

Next, the consumer should find out which breast cancer organizations and programs are being supported with the funds.

Finally, ask the company what it is doing to assure that its products are not contributing to the breast cancer epidemic.

Funding and pink labels aside, there are small changes that the average woman can make to ensure that she will not fall victim to breast cancer. Overall, lowering your weight using a healthy diet and limiting alcohol consumption will go a long way to preventing breast cancer. There are also a list of foods that, when eaten within reason, will inhibit breast cancer cells from growing.

Anything with beta-carotene (like carrots) or “cruciferous” vegetables (radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, rutabaga, cabbage, and turnips) all reduce the type of estrogen known to promote breast cancer in those who eat them. A compound in tomatoes lowers the risk as well as concord grapes (although drinking wine will increase your chances of breast cancer). Cold water fish (salmon, tuna, anchovies, swordfish, polluck, crab, and sardines) are high in Omega 3 which has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

A bowl full of dark cherries is quite delicious and quite helpful in preventing breast cancer. Eating whole fruit oranges and tangerines are also quite beneficial because the white membrane in the peel has been found to inhibit breast cancer. Whole grains, spinach, and olive oil are all breast cancer inhibitors. In fact, Mediterranean women have been shown to have a lower rate of breast cancer because of their high olive oil intake.

Green tea has a compound that reduces cancer cells, although this compound is found in higher concentrations in caffeinated green teas than in their uncaffienated counterparts. Garlic also has cancer fighting components, but the garlic must be peeled, chopped, and then left to sit for 10 minutes in order for these compounds to develop.

Soy and Fennel both contain a weak natural estrogen that can block the more powerful estrogens from stimulating estrogen sensitive cancer cells. Flaxseed has been proven to inhibit mammary tumors. And, 20 minutes of sunshine a day will protect you from breast cancer by stimulating Vitamin D production in your body.

Doctors also recommend avoiding red meat; or avoiding meat all together (a vegetarian diet has been shown to prevent breast cancer). However you choose to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, rest assured that “eating pink” is as easy as the nearest grocery store.

Labels: breast cancer awareness month