Date: 04/10/2023 Location: Other
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in Australia and New Zealand, with one in eight women developing the disease. GPs need to thoroughly understand the risk factors for breast cancer and to feel competent in discussing how patients can actively reduce their risks through diet and lifestyle. Although the survival rates after treatment for breast cancer are increasing, avoiding the diagnosis in their patients should be any healthcare provider's priority.Lifestyle factors, especially the standard Western diet, appear to play a major role in the development and progression of breast cancer. Western diets high in meat, high-fat dairy products, fat (particularly saturated and omega-6 fatty acids), processed foods, and simple sugars, while simultaneously low in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fibre, are linked to higher breast cancer risk. Animal fat and animal protein intake are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer development, especially from red and processed meats.Eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans - while avoiding meat, dairy, and other animal products - promotes breast health. A whole food plant-based diet is high in fibre and rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which are significantly associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.