The dietary patterns are a modifying risk factor for breast cancer: An ecological study

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Epidemiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Breast cancer (BC) is a significant global health concern.
• Dietary patterns (DPs) are hypothesized to influence BC incidence.
• International variations in BC rates necessitate comparative dietary analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comparatively analyze dietary patterns (DPs) and their association with breast cancer (BC) incidence across different countries.
• To identify specific food groups contributing to disparities in BC rates.
• To propose a method for assessing the impact of DPs on BC incidence.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of DPs based on national food consumption data.
• Correlation of DPs with BC incidence rates (per 100,000 people).
• Examination of specific food group consumption (animal foods, fruits, beverages, alcohol, cereals, vegetables).

Main Results:

• Countries with high BC incidence (76/100,000) show 1.5-2 times higher consumption of animal foods, fruits, beverages, and alcohol compared to low-incidence countries (35/100,000).
• Conversely, high-incidence countries exhibit 1.5 times lower consumption of cereals and vegetables.
• Mediterranean countries (BC incidence 51/100,000) consume half the amount of animal foods compared to cereals and vegetables.

Conclusions:

• Dietary patterns significantly differ between high and low breast cancer incidence regions.
• Reduced intake of cereals and vegetables, coupled with higher intake of animal products, fruits, and alcohol, is linked to increased BC risk.
• The study proposes a framework for evaluating the influence of DPs on BC incidence.