title: The association between dietary lignans, phytoestrogen-rich foods, and fiber intake and postmenopausal breast cancer risk: a German case-control study.
abstract: Phytoestrogens are structurally similar to estrogens and may affect breast cancer risk by mimicking estrogenic/antiestrogenic properties. In Western societies, whole grains and possibly soy foods are rich sources of phytoestrogens. A population-based case-control study in German postmenopausal women was used to evaluate the association of phytoestrogen-rich foods and dietary lignans with breast cancer risk. Dietary data were collected from 2,884 cases and 5,509 controls using a validated food-frequency questionnaire, which included additional questions phytoestrogen-rich foods. Associations were assessed using conditional logistic regression. All analyses were adjusted for relevant risk and confounding factors. Polytomous logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations by estrogen receptor (ER) status. High and low consumption of soybeans as well as of sunflower and pumpkin seeds were associated with significantly reduced breast cancer risk compared to no consumption (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.70-0.97; and OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.77-0.97, respectively). The observed associations were not differential by ER status. No statistically significant associations were found for dietary intake of plant lignans, fiber, or the calculated enterolignans. Our results provide evidence for a reduced postmenopausal breast cancer risk associated with increased consumption of sunflower and pumpkin seeds and soybeans.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Genetic Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Aida Karina
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Zaineddin
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vrieling
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flesch-Janys
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Linseisen
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chang-Claude
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006368:Helianthus / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D017705:Lignans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause; D012306:Risk; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D017705:Lignans; D048789:Phytoestrogens; C029498:2,3-bis(3'-hydroxybenzyl)butane-1,4-diol; D015107:4-Butyrolactone; C029497:2,3-bis(3'-hydroxybenzyl)butyrolactone