Sesame seeds contain compounds called lignans, which are transformed into cancer-fighting ‘mammalian lignans’ when eaten by humans.
The seeds – which can be eaten either plain or toasted – are packed full of phytoestrogens, which help to regulate the body’s oestrogen production.
The phytoestrogens are also known to stop tumour cells from developing and spreading.
One of the major components in sesame seeds, sesamin, has also been proven to stop cancer cells developing, researchers have claimed.
Other ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer include keeping physically active, and regularly taking aspirin.
Breastfeeding has also proven to lower breast cancer risk. The longer you breastfeed, the more the risk is reduced.
For those with a family history of breast cancer, certain medicines and drugs could slightly lower your risk of developing the disease yourself.
Taking a drug called anastrozole for five years could cut the chance of developing the cancer.
It’s the most common cancer in the UK. About 15 per cent of all cancers are breast cancer in the UK.
Symptoms of breast cancer include lumps, pain and inflammation in the breast.
If you spot a lump, you should see your doctor straight away, advised Cancer Research UK. But, 90 per cent of lumps aren’t cancerous.
On rare occasions, a red, eczema-like skin condition could be an underlying sign of breast cancer.
Breast cancer kills about 20 per cent of patients within 10 years, according to Cancer Research UK.
About 150 people are diagnosed with the cancer everyday in the UK.
Every year, about 54,800 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, while about 390 men get the disease.
Meanwhile, scientists have this week found the exact inherited genes that increase your risk of breast cancer by about 20 per cent.