Over time researchers have gathered information about how to keep individuals healthy through diet, exercise, and stress reduction. As they learn more, they are able to help guide our food choices when dealing with specific organs or tissues. For example, a low fat, low cholesterol diet is designed to help reduce one's risk for heart disease where monitoring carbohydrate intake allows for better control of diabetes. Our breasts are specialized glands, and they too require certain nutrients for optimum health. Each individual has control over their own dietary choices to minimize their risk for such diseases.

The most common type of cancer found in women is breast cancer. In a lifetime, approximately one in eight women will develop this disease. Although much attention has been focused on the survival of cancer through early detection, little has been said about its prevention. Since the 1940s, researchers have been struggling with what role diet plays in breast cancer prevention. Many studies have focused on dietary fiber and breast cancer. This theory arose through comparisons of Asian and Western cultures. The observation was made that breast cancer rates are far lower in traditional Asian cultures (China) where diets are low in fat and high in dietary fiber compared to Western cultures (America). The reasoning behind this theory is based on the belief that estrogen promotes the growth of some types of breast cancer. Consuming a low fat, high fiber diet will decrease the amount of estrogen produced and increase the amount of estrogen excreted by the body, ultimately decreasing a woman's risk for breast cancer.

Focusing on two variables such as fat and fiber doesn't always tell you the whole story. There may be other underlying factors contributing to the low rates of breast cancer in the Asian culture, which are unrelated to the low fat, high fiber components. The majority of the studies done on this theory were conducted internationally. Few studies have been completed in the United States confirming their results. Some researchers have a difficult time with the accuracy of their findings due to the limited duration of the studies, resulting in studies which neglected to account for changes in dietary patterns over a longer period of time.

So what does this all mean? Does one follow a low fat, high fiber diet to reduce the risk for breast cancer? As the discussion continues on whether or not a high fiber diet reduces ones risk for breast cancer, many physicians are recommending following this diet for overall health. Although estrogen may increase one's risk for breast cancer, there is some good news. Estrogen used in lower dosages appear to relieve menopausal symptoms, and lower the risk for heart disease and osteoporosis without increasing the risk for breast cancer.

For more information on breast cancer, visit these sites:

A Dietitian's Cancer Story

CancerNet

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