Impact of diet on breast cancer risk.
OBJECTIVE
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Western Europe and North America, and becoming an increasing problem in developing countries such as India and China. We review recent studies (published 1 January 2007-31 August 2008) on the impact of diet on breast cancer risk.


RESULTS
Recent studies have focused on the controversial association for dietary fat and breast cancer as well as the role of newer aspects such as glycemic index, dietary patterns and diet-gene interactions. Evidence that some of the associations may be modified by oestrogen and progesterone receptor status has been presented. Still, only alcohol intake, being overweight and weight gain have shown consistent and strong positive associations with breast cancer risk. The reasons for the null or weak associations often observed regarding diet and breast cancer might be several. For example, there may be no causal association, or existing associations may be masked by measurement error, timing of dietary exposure and differences according to tumour characteristics or diet-gene interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Numerous epidemiological studies on diet and breast cancer have been published during our review period. Still, only alcohol intake, being overweight and weight gain have shown consistent and strong positive associations with breast cancer risk.
Lof
Marie
M
Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. marie.lof@ki.se
Weiderpass
Elisabete
E
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000009:adverse effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000009:adverse effects; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D018977:Micronutrients; D048789:Phytoestrogens