RISK AND RISK REDUCTION > Healthy lifestyle and risk reduction > Diet
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND RISK REDUCTION
DIET
A balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in fat and sugar helps to maintain a healthy body weight, which is linked to lower risk for breast cancer.
The relationship of particular foods or food groups to breast cancer risk is less clear. You may have heard about research studies on whether or not the foods we eat affect our risk for breast cancer. Some of the most commonly discussed foods and food groups include:
- Fat, including saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Dairy products.
- Meat and fish, including red meat, white meat, and fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Carbohydrates, such as sugars and starches.
- Whole grains and fibre-rich foods.
- Soy products and other foods containing phyto (plant-based)-estrogens.
There have been numerous studies on all the food groups listed above. Sometimes an individual study about a particular food suggests a link between that food and an increase in the risk for breast cancer. Then another study on the same food finds the opposite result – a lower risk – or finds no link to risk at all. The results are mixed.
In the case of red meat, for example, some studies have shown an increased risk for breast cancer with higher levels of red meat consumption, while other studies have not shown this link. Overall, the body of existing research evidence on red meat and breast cancer risk is inconclusive and therefore red meat consumption has not been identified as a known risk factor for breast cancer.
There is some evidence that a diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in saturated fat increases risk of breast cancer, but the research findings are not conclusive.
Part of the reason for the uncertainty about the relationship of particular foods or food groups to breast cancer risk is that it is difficult to do research on diet. Most people eat a variety of foods every day, so it is hard to attribute findings to any one food. It can also be difficult for research participants to accurately remember or record their dietary changes over many years. Research is ongoing to learn more about the possible effects of diet on breast cancer risk.
To better understand whether or not there may be a link between a particular food group and breast cancer risk it is helpful to look for a pattern in the research results of the existing studies.
Other benefits of a healthy diet
There are many reasons to eat a healthy diet. A diet low in saturated fat is associated with reduced risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions. A diet low in fat and sugar helps maintain a healthy body weight, which is linked to lower risk for heart disease, breast cancer and other cancers. Eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fibre-rich foods provides essential nutrients, helps maintain a healthy body weight, and may lower your risk for other cancers.
Overall, eating a healthy diet offers a number of important health benefits with regard to meeting your body’s nutritional needs, helping maintain a healthy body weight, and reducing your risk of various chronic diseases.
|
