AL SURVIVOR SHARES HOW LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN LOWER BREAST CANCER RISK

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the disease and the importance of screenings such as mammograms. Experts also stress that prevention goes beyond early detection. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit of more than 17,000 doctors, says new research shows lifestyle choices including diet and exercise play a bigger role than many women realize.

Dr. Kristi Funk, a board-certified breast cancer surgeon, said a recent survey shows many women in Alabama and beyond underestimate how much factors such as food, exercise and weight can lower their risk.

"Diet and lifestyle have a tremendous impact on breast cancer risk," she explained. "In fact, only 5% to 10% of all breast cancer patients have an inherited gene mutation, such as BRCA or CHEC2."

Funk pointed to evidence that eating more vegetables, fruits, soy products and fiber can lower the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Yet, in the survey, only 25% of women cited diet as a factor, while most pointed to mammograms and self-exams, and added that screenings save lives through early diagnosis, but they do not prevent the disease.

Alabama resident and breast cancer survivor Nikia Lightfoot says her diagnosis at 34 pushed her to make immediate changes. She explained that alongside traditional treatment, she began a plant-based diet the very next day., and added that the switch not only supported her recovery but also gave her a new mission to share what she learned with others in her community.

"Starting a plant-based diet when you've been eating meat can be a little bit overwhelming, but for me it was a life-death situation, so it was very easy for me to switch over to a plant-based diet," she said. "But I would just tell people to give yourself grace and get with a nutritionist."

That mission led her to open Vujee Vegan, a restaurant in Huntsville where she works to dispel myths about plant-based eating and make it more approachable. She said the goal is not only changing what is on the plate but also giving people practical tools. The Physicians Committee offers free resources including a starter guide and a 21-day vegan kickstart app with recipes, shopping lists and cooking videos. This month, community rallies are also planned in Huntsville and Montgomery to connect residents with prevention resources. More information is at LetsBeatBreastCancer.org.

2025-10-02T00:28:19Z