Cruciferous vegetable plants bloom in the shape of a cross-thus, the name. Arugula, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, mustard greens, and radishes are all cruciferous. Cruciferous vegetables can stimulate the production of enzymes which modify other chemicals in the body which may cause cancer.
A double edged sword. On the one hand, women especially need calcium–probably between 1200 and 1500 mg daily–and plenty of exercise to prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a crippling disease that also kills more women than does breast cancer.