About one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These sobering statistics motivate many women to seek options that may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Research on diet and nutritional factors that may give you an edge on breast cancer prevention have yielded promising results.
Wine
No need to choose between red or white wine to lower your breast cancer risk, according to Polly A. Newcomb, Ph.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington, lead researcher of a study published in the March 2009 issue of the journal "Cancer, Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention." The 10-year study of nearly 40,000 women found red and white wine equal in breast cancer-preventive properties. While increased alcohol consumption -- 14 or more drinks per week -- was associated with a 24 percent increased risk of breast cancer, moderate wine drinking did not increase risk. The authors noted that resveratrol -- an antioxidant in red grapes and red wine -- may metabolize too quickly to provide significant benefits.
Fiber
Increase dietary fiber to prevent breast cancer risk, according to a Chinese study published in the May 2011 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition." In the study of over 400 breast cancer cases compared to a control group of women without breast cancer, those with the highest total dietary fiber, fruit fiber and vegetable fiber showed the lowest risk for breast cancer. Cereal fibers did not show a protective effect against breast cancer in this study.
Dietary Fat
Up to 80 percent of breast cancers are attributed to environmental and lifestyle factors such as diet, toxins and pollution, says John R. Lee, M.D., in his book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life." A healthy diet can help make up for a genetic predisposition toward breast cancer. Healthy may not mean low-fat, as previously believed. Rather, diets high in monounsaturated fats, such as olive and canola oils, show a more protective effect against breast cancer.
Probiotics
Probiotics -- the good bacteria in fermented foods -- may offset your chances of developing breast cancer. An Iranian study published in the July 2010 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition" reported that daily consumption of lactobacillus acidophilus -- one of the good bacteria found in yogurt -- decreased breast cancer tumor growth rate and increased immune function in laboratory animals. Researchers called for further research to confirm the results of this preliminary animal study.
References
- "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention"; No Difference Between Red Wine or White Wine Consumption and Breast Cancer Risk; Polly A. Newcomb, Ph.D., et al.; March 2009
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Effect of Dietary Fiber Intake on Breast Cancer Risk According to Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Status; C.X. Zhang, et al.; May 2011
- "What Your Doctor Might Not Tell You About Breast Cancer"; John R. Lee, M.D.; 2002
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Oral Administration of Lactobacillus Acidophilus Induces Il-12 Production in Spleen Cell Culture of Balb/C Mice Bearing Transplanted Breast Tumour; M.H. Yazdi, et al.; July 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Breast Cancer
