|
Non-overweight women who maintain nutritious diets may have better odds of surviving
breast cancer and experience a higher quality of life after breast cancer treatment than
their overweight peers, according to a review of several studies. Specifically, the report
found that women who are overweight or obese survive for shorter periods of time after
being diagnosed with breast cancer than women who maintain a healthy weight or actively
lose excess weight after their diagnosis. The report also noted that fruit and vegetable
intake can positively affect survival after breast cancer. This compilation of findings
helps show that environmental factors such as diet and nutrition can have a significant
impact on breast cancer prognosis.
While factors such as advancing age, certain genetic factors, early onset of menstruation, late menopause, or never having children have been
clearly linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, the association between diet,
nutrition, weight, and breast cancer remains uncertain. Some studies have found that
high-fat diets increase breast cancer risk, though other studies show a weaker
association. Similarly, the link between weight and breast cancer remains controversial.
Some studies suggest that overweight (or obese) women who gained weight as adults are at
an increased risk of developing breast cancer, but other studies show that women who have
been overweight since childhood are not at a significantly higher risk.
To help make sense of these issues and related ones, Cheryl L. Rock, PhD, RD, of the
University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, California and her colleague Dr. Wendy
Demark-Wahnefried of Duke University Medical Center, reviewed and summarized evidence from
several studies that examined the relationship between nutritional factors, survival, and recurrence after the diagnosis of breast cancer.
They found that several factors influenced the progression of breast cancer and a
patient’s prognosis after an initial diagnosis. For example, in the majority of
studies, women who were overweight or obese had a shorter survival time after being
diagnosed with breast cancer compared to women who maintained a healthy weight. Similarly,
women who gained weight during breast cancer treatment experienced a reduced quality of
life and a higher risk of recurrence of breast cancer. Overweight or obese breast cancer
patients were also at higher risk of other health problems such as diabetes.
On the issue of nutrition, Drs. Rock and Demark-Wahnefried found a somewhat weaker yet
existing association between a healthy diet and better breast cancer prognosis. Five of 12
reviewed studies found that high-fat diets negatively affected breast cancer survival. The
majority of studies also found that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables had a positive
impact on breast cancer survival. Unlike some prior studies, the report found no link
between alcohol consumption and a poorer prognosis after breast cancer diagnosis, though
the researchers say that alcohol intake does increase the risk of developing breast
cancer.
Drs. Rock and Demark-Wahnefried said that many women use their breast cancer diagnosis
as a wake-up call to actively lose weight and change to a healthier diet. This can
positively impact their chances of surviving breast cancer as well as lower their risk of
other health problems, such as heart disease. The
researchers say that compiling the existing data on diet, nutrition, and breast cancer
prognosis helps make more sense out of these complex issues.
Additional Resources and References
|
