Intake of Specific Fruits and Vegetables in Relation to Risk of Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer among Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

In previous studies of postmenopausal women, overall intake of fruits and vegetables groups has been inversely associated with estrogen receptor negative (ER−) breast cancer. In this analysis, we prospectively examined the associations of specific fruits and vegetables with risk of ER− postmenopausal breast cancer among 75,929 women aged 38 to 63 years at baseline and followed for up to 24 years. Dietary data were collected seven times during this period. Cox proportional hazard models were used, adjusting for potential confounders, including a modified Alternate Mediterranean Diet score. We ascertained 792 incident cases of ER− post-menopausal breast cancer. The multivariate relative risk (RR) for every 2 servings/week consumption for total berries was 0.82 (95% CI=0.71-0.96, p=0.01), and the RR for women who consumed at least one serving of blueberries a week was 0.69 (95% CI=0.50-0.95, p=0.02) compared with non-consumers. Also, the RR for consuming at least 2 servings of peaches/nectarines per week was 0.59 (95% CI=0.37-0.93, p = 0.02). Risk of ER− breast cancer was not associated with intakes of other specific fruits or vegetables. In conclusion, higher intake of berries and peaches was associated with lower risk of ER− breast cancer among post-menopausal women. These results are considered exploratory and need to be confirmed in further studies.

Nutritional Epidemiology—There's Life in the Old Dog Yet!

“…Indeed, he provided excellent examples from three large studies conducted by his group over many decades. These Harvard studies have generated valuable data regarding, among other relationships, risk of breast cancer in relation to alcohol (32), plant foods (33)(34)(35), fat intake (36), meat consumption (37), and body mass, weight gain, and weight loss (38,39) as well as dietary behaviors in relation to colorectal cancer risk (40) and prostate cancer survival (41). However, to assess the overall status of nutritional epidemiologic research, it is helpful to also consider data generated from other sources.…”