Sometimes even a small change can make a big difference and being aware of what foods can actually increase your breast cancer risk – especially if you have a family history of the disease – is not so difficult as you may think.

Oestrogen dominance, excess oestrogen in relation to progesterone, is a key factor and often related to HRT use, but also to increased weight.

At menopause women tend to put on weight around the middle as their ovaries production of oestrogen declines, so watching your weight is key at this time.

These can potentially increase your risk

1. Fat is an essential part of our diet, but in moderation and of the right sort such as olive oil.

Animal and polyunsaturated fats, together with hydrogenated oils such as margarines and some vegetable oils, can all increase cancer risks.

Cut those down dramatically and reduce your daily intake of all fats to around 25 percent at most of your daily calorie amount.

2. Alcohol needs to be kept at a low level as even a small amount is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Some studies have suggested that even moderate drinking increases a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by 50 to 100 percent.

3. Hormone residues from our diet are found in many of our everyday items. These can disrupt your hormones and that can influence oestrogen metabolism and so increase cancer risk.

If you eat conventionally raised meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products then switch to organic hormone-free versions and again keep them a minor, not a major, part of your diet.