Breast Defense: Powered by Plants

Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta wrote an article about new evidence suggesting that a plant-focused diet can decrease the risk of breast cancer in women, specifically those who are postmenopausal with a lower BMI (body mass index). In a case study, Iranian women were used to test the benefits of a healthy plant-based diet. We know that there are factors that can possibly induce the risk of breast cancer, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, a higher BMI, and an unhealthy diet. This study used the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets to investigate the impact on breast cancer risk. The quality of the plant-based foods was determined using a plant-based diet index, and a high score indicated greater adherence to the pattern. The study concluded that in Iranian postmenopausal women, a healthy plant-based diet remarkably reduces the risk of breast cancer, and an unhealthy plant-based diet increases the risk of breast cancer. Foods deemed healthy contain high fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and lower amounts of saturated fats, bad carbohydrates, and cholesterol. Some limitations to the study are the consideration of hormonal therapy, taking estrogen-containing contraceptives, and self-reporting of diet. Future studies may strive to consider the specific types of breast cancer and the menopausal status of patients for an irrefutable verdict.

I found this article quite stimulating because I keep reading more about diets and therapies that can decrease cancer risk and lessen adverse outcomes. Many individuals, including myself, underestimate the importance of a healthy diet and eating fiber and antioxidants through fruits and vegetables. I have read recently that more young individuals are being diagnosed with colon cancer because of a lack of a fiber-rich diet. With the normalization of consuming fast foods for every age group in America, fiber is easy to overlook when prioritizing diet, and I hope that in the future, colon cancer diagnoses are lessened with the education of all, but especially younger individuals.