Just 28% of U.S. women may be aware that a healthful diet can lower the risk of developing breast cancer, according to a recent survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Morning Consult.
Background
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a national nonprofit health advocacy group comprising over 17,000 physicians. Currently, the organization recommends a four-pronged approach to preventing breast cancer: eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet; exercising regularly; limiting alcohol intake; and maintaining a healthy weight.
“Research shows that eating a low-fat, plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans not only helps lower breast cancer risk. It’s also beneficial for breast cancer survivors,” suggested Stephanie McBurnett, RDN, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Survey Methods and Findings
In the study, researchers asked 2,017 women to complete a survey between July 25, 2024 and July 28, 2024. When prompted with a follow-up question about which specific foods might reduce breast cancer risk, 23% of the respondents mentioned vegetables and 16% of them mentioned fruits. The researchers found that just 17% of the respondents were aware that soy products were capable of reducing the risk of breast cancer, whereas 16% of them erroneously stated that soy increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
When asked about specific factors that may increase the risk of developing cancer, the respondents were most likely to cite being overweight and high consumption of processed meats. However, just 24% of them were aware that high consumption of dairy products could increase the risk. Previous research, published by Fraser et al in the International Journal of Epidemiology, and funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Cancer Research Fund discovered that women who consumed one-fourth to one-third cup of cow’s milk per day had a 30% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Further, 1 cup and 2 to 3 cups per day increased the risk of breast cancer by 50% and 80%, respectively.
The researchers reported that 72% of the respondents stated that they have never received information or education about the link between nutrition and breast cancer from a health-care professional.
Conclusions
“It’s clear that millions of women have yet to hear the life-saving message that what they eat and drink strongly influences their chances of developing breast cancer. Science shows nearly 50% of cases are preventable through diet and lifestyle, at least in theory. [I]n my opinion, 80% to 90% of cases could be avoided,” emphasized Kristi Funk, MD, a breast cancer surgeon and a breast cancer prevention expert at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
The findings demonstrated almost no increase in the awareness of preventive steps in recent decades. In a 1995 telephone-based survey of 510 women, 23% of respondents cited dietary factors—including reducing the intake of fat or meat or increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, fiber, or vegetarian meals—as strategies to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
“Public education programs on breast cancer have focused on mammograms, which play a vital role, but are not enough. It is essential to empower people with steps they can take to protect themselves, and a healthy diet is at the top of the list,” concluded Neal Barnard, MD, President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Disclosure: To view additional findings from the survey, visit pcrm.widen.net.
