Healthy lifestyle and risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort study

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and prevention strategies are needed to reduce incidence worldwide. A healthy lifestyle index score (HLIS) was generated to investigate the joint effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on postmenopausal breast cancer risk. The study included 242,918 postmenopausal women from the multinational European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, with detailed information on diet and lifestyle assessed at baseline. The HLIS was constructed from five factors (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and anthropometry) by assigning scores of 0–4 to categories of each component, for which higher values indicate healthier behaviours. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated by Cox proportional regression models. During 10.9 years of median follow-up, 7,756 incident breast cancer cases were identified. There was a 3% lower risk of breast cancer per point increase of the HLIS. Breast cancer risk was inversely associated with a high HLIS when fourth versus second (reference) categories were compared [adjusted HR = 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66–0.83]. The fourth versus the second category of the HLIS was associated with a lower risk for hormone receptor double positive (adjusted HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67–0.98) and hormone receptor double negative breast cancer (adjusted HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40–0.90). Findings suggest having a high score on an index of combined healthy behaviours reduces the risk of developing breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Programmes which engage women in long term health behaviours should be supported

Nutritional and environmental risk factors for breast cancer: a case-control study

“…A case-control study conducted in Iran, investigating the association between diet and breast cancer (100 cases and 178 controls), showed that healthy eating habits (regular consumption of fruit and vegetables, fish, vegetable oils and low consumption of saturated fat) was a protective factor for breast cancer [46]. McKenzie et al [47], in a cohort study of 242,918 women followed for a mean time of 10.9 years, recorded 7,756 breast cancer diagnosis, usually in women with a combination of unhealthy behaviors, including dietary habits. Current eating habits, especially in Western populations, are characterized by a low intake of plant foods, fiber and fruit, and high consumption of processed foods rich in fats and sodium.…”

L’alimentation méditerranéenne Facteur de protection vis-à-vis des cancers ?

“…C'est pourquoi les recommandations de santé publique utilisent plutôt le terme de « diète méditerranéenne » qui comprend ce que l'on mange, mais aussi comment on le mange, ainsi que l'activité physique. Dans leurs derniers travaux, les épidémiologistes de l'étude EPIC ont créé un index de mode de vie sain où l'alimentation méditerranéenne (sans la consommation d'alcool) est associée à l'activité physique en valeur positive, le tabagisme en valeur négative et la consommation d'alcool en valeur modérée pour le cancer de l'estomac [39], auxquels s'ajoutent les mesures anthropométriques (IMC et tour de taille) en valeurs modérées (évaluées pour le cancer colorectal [40], et le cancer du sein [41]). Nombre d'entre nous pressentaient l'importance de telles préconisations, leur démonstration semble acquise, il reste à les appliquer.…”

Vitamin D, Its Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Breast Cancer

“…The factors that play a significant role in the aetiology of breast cancer include genetic [8,9], hormonal [10,11], environmental [12], lifestyle [13] and reproductive factors [14]. In addition, ovarian hormones (endogenous estrogen) are the key risk factors for the development of breast cancer and their progression among post-menopausal women [15,16].…”