US Study: Consumption of fibre and breast cancer risk

A two-decade-long study has found that when teenage girls eat the US- recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, their chances of developing breast cancer later in life decrease as highlighted by a report in today’s Adelaide Advertiser.

In Australia, it’s recommended to consume two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day in keeping with a healthy diet, active lifestyle and therefore lower body weight is a key step in reducing overall risk of developing cancer.

The research by Harvard University of 90,000 women found that the consumption of fibre from the fruit and vegetables during puberty and young adulthood acted as a protective barrier to oestrogen absorption – a key time given the effects of dietary intake on hormones.

Women in the study who consumed higher levels of fibre during adolescence had a 24% lower risk of developing breast cancer prior to menopause, compared with those who had the lower intake. Overall, the women’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer was 16% lower.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age - 75% of women diagnosed are over the age of 50.

One in nine Victorian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Eating a balanced diet, maintaining an active lifestyle and getting a breast screen once every two year from the age of 50 are all proactive, positive steps towards wellbeing.

A link to the Harvard University study, can be found here.