Research: ADZERSEN and colleagues,

Listed in Issue 103

Abstract

ADZERSEN and colleagues, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Germany, karlheinrich_adzersen@med.uni-heldelberg.de, have carried out a case-control study on nutrition and the risk of breast cancer.

Background

The aim of the study was to explore associations between the intake of raw and cooked vegetables, fruit, and selected micronutrients and breast cancer risk.

Methodology

310 women with breast cancer were matched to 353 controls and their diet was investigated.

Results

Intake of raw vegetables, total vegetables, and whole-grain products was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. In addition, a higher intake of vitamin C, folate equivalents, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper was associated with a lower breast cancer risk; these latter substances are thought to stabilise DNA. In contrast, no change in breast cancer risk was seen for an increased intake of fruit, cooked vegetables, fibre, calcium, manganese, or iron.

Conclusion

In the studied population of German women, raw vegetables and some micronutrients appear to decrease the risk for breast cancer.

References

Adzersen KH, Jess P, Freivogel KW, Gerhard I, Bastert G. Raw and cooked vegetables, fruits, selected micronutrients, and breast cancer risk: a case-control study in Germany. Nutrition and Cancer 46 (2): 131-137, 2003.

Comment

Although these types of studies are far from conclusive, there needs to be a massive increase in this kind of research investigating the many associations between nutrition and cancer. Thus, it is interesting that increased intake of raw vegetables, total vegetables and whole-grain products, as well as higher intakes of vitamin C, folate equivalent, beta-carotene, zinc and copper were associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. There may well be many biochemical and genetic variabilities in different populations of women and their nutritional response to breast cancer risk; I, for one, look forward to seeing additional research of this nature.

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