New Insights to The Potential Role of Nutrition and Breast Cancer

The World Cancer Research Fund International, a primary source of information on the impact of diet, weight and physical activity can impact your risk of developing and surviving cancer has published a recent review of new insights to the role of nutrition to reduce risk of death and recurrence of breast cancer.

The World Cancer Research Fund International reviewed 108 studies. These studies included over 151, 000 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. 5,900 died from breast cancer. There were limitations to meta-analysis, a strong research methodology, for many foods. Breast cancer specific deaths were only able to be assessed using meta-analysis in the specific nutrients and foods and beverages including dairy, carbohydrate, protein, dietary fat, fiber, fruit, alcohol, and vitamin D levels in the blood.

Most of these resulted in no results able to be concluded. Except for the effects of a health promoting dietary pattern which included fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains. Also, vitamin D and dietary fiber, being potentially protective against death from breast cancer. Soy also showed potential benefits to reduce both death from breast cancer and recurrence of breast cancer.

Dietary fiber showed potential to reduce the risk of death from any cause post breast cancer diagnosis. Researchers found that there was a 13% lower risk of death from any cause for every 10g of dietary fiber per day increase in dietary fiber intake. Dietary fiber can be found in good amounts in whole foods - like whole grains & whole grain containing foods such as Corn Thins slices, vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds. By structuring your meal to include at least half to three quarters a plant-based food and snacks at least half you will be able to meet your dietary fiber needs of 25-38g a day for adults.

Take home message: While there is no magic food to prevent and eliminate the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death, but nutrition may play an important role in reducing these risks. 

References:

1. Breast Cancer Survivors and Mortality Risk. World Cancer Research Fund International. https://www.wcrf.org/diet-activity-and-cancer/global-cancer-update-programme/cancer-survivors/breast-cancer-survivors-and-mortality-risk/#:~:text=We%20reviewed%20108%20studies%20from,reduce%20the%20risk%20of%20death
2. Becerra-Tomás N, Balducci K, Abar L, Aune D, Cariolou M, Greenwood DC, Markozannes G, Nanu N, Vieira R, Giovannucci EL, Gunter MJ, Jackson AA, Kampman E, Lund V, Allen K, Brockton NT, Croker H, Katsikioti D, McGinley-Gieser D, Mitrou P, Wiseman M, Cross AJ, Riboli E, Clinton SK, McTiernan A, Norat T, Tsilidis KK, Chan DSM. Postdiagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Int J Cancer. 2023 Feb 15;152(4):616-634. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34321. Epub 2022 Oct 24. PMID: 36279902; PMCID: PMC10092903.
3. Wallace TC, Bailey RL, Blumberg JB, et al. Fruits, vegetables, and health: a comprehensive narrative, umbrella review of the science and recommendations for enhanced public policy to improve intake. Crit Rev Food Sci. 2020; 60: 2174- 2211.
4. Aune D, Keum N, Giovannucci E, et al. Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all cause and cause specific mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ Br Med J. 2016; 353:i2716.