Dietary influence on breast cancer

Certain lifestyle and environmental factors play an important role on breast cancer (BC) risk, but data on the influence of nutritional factors are still conflicting. Migrational data have pointed to nutrition as one of the more relevant external factors involved. So far, the only well established nutrition-related risk factors for BC are obesity and alcohol consumption. The evidence that body fatness is a cause of postmenopausal breast cancer is convincing as is the evidence that alcoholic drinks are a cause of BC in all ages. On the other hand, body fatness probably protects against BC diagnosed premenopause. It is more likely that the BC risk is related to life-long dietary habits. The general preventive recommendation often includes a reduction of alcohol, red meat and total dietary fat, and increase in vegetable and fruit consumption. The purpose of this work was to summarize and present current opinions on the influence of diet and nutrition on BC etiology and to suggest possible preventive measures.