title: The role of nutrition in the prevention of breast cancer.
abstract: Nutrition has been widely studied as a leading environmental factor in the prevention of breast cancer (BC). Despite the challenges in relating consumption of specific nutrients to BC risk, particularly in the context of a total diet, many investigators have contributed valuable information. Dietary fat has received the most attention and also created the most uncertainty. Specific types of fat, particularly monounsaturated fat and the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, demonstrate more potential to influence BC risk. A wide variety of other dietary factors have been studied in relation to BC including total energy, dietary fiber, alcohol, micronutrients, phytochemicals, specific foods, and food constituents. Results of epidemiological studies relating consumption of these dietary factors to BC have increased the knowledge base that provides rationale for various nutritional strategies to contribute to BC prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. amduncan@uogeulph.ca
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008593:Menopause; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014131:Trace Elements; D000431:Ethanol