Intake of bean fiber, beans, and grains and reduced risk of hormone receptor‐negative breast cancer: the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer Study

Abstract

High dietary fiber intake has been associated with reduced breast cancer risk, but few studies considered tumor subtypes defined by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status or included racial/ethnic minority populations who vary in their fiber intake. We analyzed food frequency data from a population‐based case–control study, including 2135 breast cancer cases (1070 Hispanics, 493 African Americans, and 572 non‐Hispanic Whites (NHWs)) and 2571 controls (1391 Hispanics, 557 African Americans, and 623 NHWs). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breast cancer associated with fiber intake were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Breast cancer risk associated with high intake (high vs. low quartile) of bean fiber (p‐trend = 0.01), total beans (p‐trend = 0.03), or total grains (p‐trend = 0.05) was reduced by 20%. Inverse associations were strongest for ER‐PR‐ breast cancer, with risk reductions associated with high intake ranging from 28 to 36%. For bean fiber, risk was reduced among foreign‐born Hispanics only, who had the highest fiber intake, whereas for grain intake, inverse associations were found among NHWs only. There was no evidence of association with fiber intake from vegetables and fruits or total intake of vegetables and fruits. A high dietary intake of bean fiber and fiber‐rich foods such as beans and grains may lower the risk of ER‐PR‐ breast cancer, an aggressive breast cancer subtype for which few risk factors have been identified.

Dietary phytochemicals in breast cancer research: anticancer effects and potential utility for effective chemoprevention

“…Breast cancer risk was reduced with the consumption of bean fiber ( p trend = 0.01), total beans ( p trend = 0.03), or total grains ( p trend = 0.05). Inverse associations were strongest for ER − /PR − breast cancer [ 170 ]. Meta-analysis of He et al [ 171 ] indicated a borderline inverse association between pre-diagnostic intake of fruit and overall survival of breast cancer, whereas intake of vegetables was not associated with survival.…”

Anticancer Activities of Thymus vulgaris L. in Experimental Breast Carcinoma In Vivo and In Vitro

“…This approach has gained considerable attention because, in contrast to genetic alterations, epigenetic modifications are reversible and able to affect early carcinogenesis. Several clinical epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that long-term and regular (several times a week) consumption of plant-based whole foods is associated with a reduction in BC risk [11,12,13,14].…”

Premenopausal breast cancer is a health challenge: nutritional habits show potential to prevent this disease

“…In addition, they contain unique phytochemicals that complement those of fruits and vegetables when consumed together. 22 , 24 …”

“…In addition, they contain unique phytochemicals that complement those of fruits and vegetables when consumed together. 22,24 Many of the products produced with whole grains have greater antioxidant capacity in relation to vegetables and fruits. In addition, they supply vitamin E, an intracellular antioxidant that they allow to maintain selenium in its reduced state avoiding carcinogens precursors; reduced selenium prevents malignancy of cells exposed to carcinogens.…”

“…In addition, they supply vitamin E, an intracellular antioxidant that they allow to maintain selenium in its reduced state avoiding carcinogens precursors; reduced selenium prevents malignancy of cells exposed to carcinogens. 24 The protective effect of whole grains does by combined and synergistic action of the different compounds they contain. 25 In Framingham cohort, the associations between whole and refined grains and their food sources in relation to the cancer risk related to adiposity were evaluated in a group of participants.…”