Time for another break from the COVID-19-themed posts… Researchers have recently published reports on two studies that link the risk of breast cancer to diet and obesity. So, there’s good news and bad news – but you can make simple changes to your routine that make all the news good…
Losing weight and keeping it off is as easy as walking a dog…
First, a link to obesity…
It’s already widely accepted in medical circles that obesity is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Now a researcher at Department of Microbiology and Immunology and at the University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center has proposed a unique theory that a protein secreted by fat cells drives the development of breast cancer. Dr. Bing Li has been conducting research funded by the National Cancer Institute for the past five years, which led him to the connection between activity of a protein expressed in fatty tissue and an increase in breast cancer development.
“Many types of cancer are related to obesity, not only breast cancer. More than 13 types of cancer are clearly associated with obesity and I think the list will go on and on once we have more data,” Li said. “In our research, we found the fatty acid binding protein family, especially one member, FABP4, plays a very critical role in the association of obesity and cancer, most specifically breast cancer. We theorize that FABP4 is responsible for the underlying molecular mechanism which promotes obesity-associated breast cancer development.”
Adipose tissue in the body produces FABP4 within fat cells, where it processes and distributes water-insoluble long-chain fatty acids. A certain amount of FABP4 enters the bloodstream under normal conditions. However, as a higher volume of fat tissue is accumulated, more FABP4 is secreted into circulation.
How easy is it to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Apparently, all you have to do is lose some weight and keep it off!
Now, a link to dietary fibre…
An article published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society (ACS), reveals a link between a high-fibre diet and reduced risk of breast cancer.
Dr. Maryam Farvid of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and her colleagues data-mined 20 observational studies published through July 2019. Previous studies produced inconsistent results regarding the potential relationship between fiber intake and breast cancer and Farvid wanted to see if she could clear the air.
Farvid’s team found that individuals with the highest consumption of fiber had an eight percent lower risk of breast cancer. Soluble fiber was associated with lower risks of breast cancer, and higher total fiber intake was associated with a lower risk in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
“Our study contributes to the evidence that lifestyle factors, such as modifiable dietary practices, may affect breast cancer risk,” said Dr. Farvid. “Our findings provide research evidence supporting the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”
The findings don’t demonstrate a direct causal link between fibre and breast cancer risk, and Farvid says a randomized clinical trial is needed to test such cause and effect. But it sounds like upping your fibre intake can make a positive difference to your risk of developing breast cancer.
My take
Here’s are two situations in which you can do something positive for yourself without a lot of effort or expense. You can sneak more fibre into your diet simply by eating more Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. And losing weight is as easy as adopting a dog and walking it for an hour every day!
~ Maggie J.