Breast Cancer Diet Tests and Research

The link between breast cancer and diet is a contentious one, with many varying views on the subject. Some believe that certain foods help to stop breast cancer from developing while others believe that there might be a breast cancer diet you can follow to treat or cure cancer once it develops. Despite numerous studies, the effect of diet on various cancers has been inconclusive.

The general consensus is that no diet leads to the cure of cancer. There is also a lack of evidence to support the idea that certain diets help in the prevention of cancer. Studies do suggest, however, that the foods eaten once cancer develops affect both the body, and the cancer.

Cornell University has conducted studies which indicate that lower death rates may be linked with dietary choices. These studies saw an increase of five to ten years of survivability in cancer sufferers, and also affected the recurrence of the cancer.

One particular study – the Nurses Health Study – examined 1,982 women, following them for an average of 13 years after the development of breast cancer. More than 1,200 of the cases had non metastasized (no spreading of the primary tumor to further areas of the body which in turn produces secondary tumors) cancers. When cancer spreads, generally the survival rates of are much lower in comparison to patients with only a primary cancer (five year survival rate of 21% compared to a rate of 86% in patients with non metastasized cancer).

High levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, found in poultry and fish, were eaten by some of the patients’ breast cancer diet in the first group. Their risk of death was substantially lower than the women in the group who did not have a high intake of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. This study further established that those women who consumed higher amounts of hydrogenated oils had an increased rate of death.

A further examination of 2,400 individuals was conducted by the National Cancer Institute. In this study, 975 women suffering from breast cancer spent five years on a low fat breast cancer diet consuming only 33.3g per day. 51.3g per day was consumed by another group of 1,462 breast cancer sufferers. There was a 42% reduction in the rate of recurrence of cancer in the group consuming less fat.

The problem with these particular studies is that they are not looking at causation, only associations, making it difficult to determine what data is relevant. Is it possible that the foods the women were eating, or not eating, contributed to their health, in either a negative or positive way?

Unfortunately, despite studies, there are no clear answers at present. The beneficial effect of foods, and fruits and vegetables in particular, are unknown. The evidence for the cases studied does however indicate that foods with high levels of antioxidants may help in reducing the chances of developing breast cancer.

Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals (ionized atoms found in the blood stream that are known to be able to harm cells), turning them into harmless particles. Unfortunately, despite studies, the effect that fat has is still unknown. It is believed that lowering your fat intake lowers the risk, seeing as increased estrogen levels are linked with a higher breast cancer risk, and fat efficiently stores estrogen.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t consume breast cancer diet containing fat though. Higher body fat is not directly caused by consumption of fat. Instead, consuming more daily calories than calories used in the day leads to the body storing those calories in fat.

Regardless of the fact that there is no confirmed proof about certain foods lowering the chances of cancer, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are beneficial. By being in optimal health, if you are one of the 1 in 12 women who develops breast cancer, you are better equipped to deal with the disease before, during and after the cancer has developed.

         

Introduction to Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Self Exam - Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Genetic Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Environmental and Lifestyle Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Prevention – How to Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Diagnosis - Breast Cancer Test
Breast Cancer Stages – Breast Cancer Survival Rates

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Surgery Treatment
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery Treatments
Breast Cancer Mammogram Diagnosis
Breast Cancer Statistics, Diagnosis and Treatments
Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment
Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Medication