“Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Alicia Silverstone, renowned breast cancer surgeon Kristi Funk, MD, and Jasmine C. Leyva, director of the documentary The Invisible Vegan, will appear in a new public service announcement (PSA) urging women to reduce their risk for breast cancer through simple lifestyle steps. The PSA will run throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The PSA is a part of the national “Let’s Beat Breast Cancer” campaign, a four-pronged, science-backed strategy, co-created by Dr. Funk and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a national organization of more than 12,000 doctor members. 

“What you eat can either fuel cancer or help your body seek and destroy it,” says Kristi Funk, MD, breast cancer surgeon and lead ambassador for the campaign. “Eating whole, colorful plant foods helps your body defend itself from rogue cancer cells.” 

The campaign offers several free resources, including an e-cookbook, that will help women adopt its four key components:

• Eating a whole food, plant-based diet. Healthful foods from plants (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans) lower breast cancer risk.
• Exercising regularly. Physical activity, especially vigorous exercise like running and fast cycling, lowers risk of breast cancer.
• Limiting alcohol. Alcohol increases risk of breast cancer.
• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Excess body weight increases odds of getting breast cancer after menopause.”

“Alcohol increases breast cancer risk. This is true for all kinds of alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor. Even one drink a day increases risk. The less you drink, the lower your risk. Alcohol can increase estrogen levels, and it can cause DNA damage—the first step in cancer.”

Find more from Let´s Beat Breast Cancer (USA, 2020)