- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, except for skin cancers. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. in 2024, along with 55,550 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
- About 1 in 8 women (about 13%) in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
- Approximately 43,700 women in the U.S. are expected to die from breast cancer in 2024. However, death rates have been decreasing since 1989, especially in women under 50. These decreases are attributed to treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.
A recent survey by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) reveals that most U.S. women do not consider diet a key factor in reducing the risk of breast cancer, despite its significance as a major risk factor. The online survey, conducted in July, found that only 28% of women mentioned diet as a way to lower their risk of developing breast cancer, while 56% emphasized the importance of screening methods like mammograms.
Only 28% of U.S. women know that a healthful diet can lower the risk of developing breast cancer, according to a just-released Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult survey.https://t.co/imEa0c6blV
— Physicians Committee (@PCRM) August 26, 2024
Dr. Kristi Funk, a breast cancer surgeon and prevention expert, expressed concern over the lack of awareness about the impact of diet on breast cancer risk. “Millions of women have yet to hear the lifesaving message that what they eat and drink strongly influences their chances of developing breast cancer,” she stated.
Scientific research suggests that nearly 50% of breast cancer cases could potentially be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes. Dr. Funk believes this figure could be even higher, with up to 80-90% of cases being avoidable. However, the survey results indicate that awareness about the role of diet in breast cancer prevention has seen little improvement over the past three decades. A 1995 survey found that 23% of women cited diet as a prevention method, only slightly less than the recent 28%.
The overall 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer in the U.S. is about 90%. This rate varies depending on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. For example:
- Localized breast cancer (cancer that has not spread outside the breast) has a 5-year relative survival rate of 99%.
- If the cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate drops to 86%.
- For distant metastatic breast cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 30%.
The survey highlighted a lack of public education on the relationship between nutrition and breast cancer. While mammograms play a crucial role in early detection, Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the PCRM, stressed the importance of empowering people with knowledge about preventive measures, particularly through a healthy diet.
When prompted with questions about specific foods that could reduce breast cancer risk, 61% of respondents recalled at least one beneficial food or dietary habit. Many identified avoiding excess weight and reducing intake of processed meats as strategies to lower risk. Vegetables were mentioned by 23% of women, and 16% cited fruit. However, only 17% recognized soy as beneficial, despite evidence suggesting that soy foods can reduce breast cancer risk due to their high isoflavone content, which lowers human estrogen levels.
Several factors increase the risk of breast cancer, including age, family history, genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), reproductive history (like age at first menstrual period and age at first childbirth), hormone therapy after menopause, and lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of physical activity.
Interestingly, 24% of respondents believed that higher consumption of dairy products might increase breast cancer risk, reflecting research that links one cup of cow’s milk per day to a 50% increase in risk, and two to three cups to an 80% increase. Surprisingly, only 2% mentioned adopting a plant-based or vegetarian diet as a preventative measure.
The PCRM survey also found that 72% of women had never been educated about the link between nutrition and breast cancer risk by a healthcare professional. Registered dietitian Stephanie McBurnett emphasized the benefits of a plant-based diet rich in high-fiber foods, soy, flaxseed, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, which contain compounds that help reduce breast cancer risk.
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Conversely, McBurnett noted that diets high in animal products, such as sausage, bacon, and hot dogs, are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer due to their low fiber content and high levels of saturated fat and carcinogens.
To lower the risk of breast cancer, the PCRM recommends adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight. McBurnett’s top advice for reducing breast cancer risk is simple: “Eat plants, eat soy, eat less meat, move as much as possible, and limit or avoid alcohol.”
Key Points:
i. A recent survey by the PCRM shows most U.S. women are unaware of the significant role diet plays in reducing breast cancer risk.
ii. Only 28% of respondents mentioned diet as a preventative measure, while 56% focused on screening methods like mammograms.
iii. Scientific research indicates that up to 80-90% of breast cancer cases could potentially be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes.
iv. The PCRM emphasizes the importance of a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and limiting alcohol to lower breast cancer risk.
v. Despite the importance of nutrition in prevention, 72% of women reported not receiving education about this from healthcare professionals.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
