Studies Show That Diet May Impact Living Longer in Breast Cancer Survivors
Two studies have shown that diet plays a role in longer survival of breast cancer survivors. It was found that overall, those who ate a diet that was high in vegetables and low in fruit juice and carbohydrate-packed diets have a lower risk of mortality during approximately 12 years following treatment. In the first study that was published in 2020 in Cancer Research, it was found that those who ate almost 1 whole serving of cruciferous vegetables per day had a 13% lower risk of dying, and those who ate almost 2 servings of cruciferous vegetables had a 20% lower risk of dying compared with women who ate almost none. Fruit juices including apple, pineapple, prune, and grape juice were linked to higher risk of dying. There was no link between dying and orange juice.
The second study looked at the type and amount of carbohydrates that were consumed. Those who ate higher glycemic load diets were at a higher risk of dying from breast cancer compared with those who ate lower glycemic load diets. Diets that were higher insulin-raising diets were linked to a greater risk of breast cancer survivors dying vs diets that were low insulin-raising. As these studies were limited by recurrence, different disease, and the participants mostly being white, there is a need for more extensive research on this topic.
Reference:
Nelson M. Two New Studies Suggest Diet Can Help Breast Cancer Survivors Live Longer. American Institute for Cancer Research. Published March 18, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2022. https://www.aicr.org/news/two-new-studies-suggest-diet-can-help-breast-cancer-survivors-live-longer/
