In a study presented at 29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium last month, researchers revealed that following a low-fat diet can prevent breast cancer recurrence. Said to be the first report to directly show that lifestyle changes can improve the outlook for people with cancer, the study found that - among its 2,400 postmenopausal participants with early breast cancer - those who cut down on fats were about one-fifth less likely to either suffer a recurrence or die over the next six to seven years.

Going low-fat may also help protect against breast cancer for those who’ve never had the disease. And adopting a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables might further help to decrease breast cancer risk, according to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. To work more veggies into your everyday meals, both Sean and John Storey recommend picking up a copy of Chez Panisse Vegetables by the fabulous Alice L. Waters. “Even if you’ve only got one onion to cook with, you can find 10 things to do with that onion that are simple and fast,” John promises.

For a list of fruits and vegetables that may offer a specific anti-breast-cancer benefit, check out Good To Know’s guide to “Nineteen Foods to Help Prevent Breast Cancer.” That list includes yellow-orange vegetables (rich in beta-carotene), tomatoes (high in lycopene), and cold-water fish like salmon and tuna (loaded with omega-3 fatty acids).

Sipping green may also help reduce breast cancer risk, so pour a cup of Republic of Tea’s Sip For The Cure blend (a rose-petal-infused green brew that helps benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation).

According to BreastCancer.org, getting four hours of exercise might help lower your risk of breast cancer. “Over time, exercise may be able to lower the estrogen levels in your body,” the site explains. “With less estrogen around, there is less stimulation of breast cell growth, which is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.” To find a little workout motivation, hadashi suggests checking out Fitpod.com’s podcasts. “Every week, DJ Steve lets you download an hour’s worth of pumping music, organised by bpm (beats per minute — how fast the music is), absolutely FREE,” hadashi explains. “This has revolutionized my workouts — I exercise faster, harder, and much happier than ever before.”

Performing regular breast self-examinations is key to safeguarding breast health, but how many women actually keep up with their exams each month? For help in making this practice of your health routine, invest in a szlea-selected In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove. “It reduces friction by 50%, so your fingers can glide smoothly across the breast,” szlea explains. “It also magnifies fingertip sensitivity so you can more easily detect irregularities in breast tissue.” The product’s also hypoallergenic, latex-free, and “completely non-toxic.” And, szlea adds, “for every unit purchased, Bath & Body Works will donate $1.00 to the American Breast Cancer Foundation to help sponsor mammograms for women who are uninsured or under-insured.”

Finally, to educate yourself about the links between exposure to radiation and synthetic chemicals to increased risk of breast cancer, read State of the Evidence 2006: Breast Cancer and the Environment, which the Breast Cancer Fund regards as a “must read for anyone concerned about the environmental causes of breast cancer.”