Vegetable-Fruit-Soybean Dietary Pattern and Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, and several studies have investigated the association of dietary patterns and breast cancer. However, findings of studies are inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to summarize the available data regarding the association of vegetable-fruit-soybean dietary pattern and breast cancer. A systematic literature search was conducted via PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE to identify eligible cohort studies before February 2019. A total of 12 cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. The summary relative risks (RR) with 95% CI were calculated with a fixed-effects model. The overall RR of breast cancer for the highest versus lowest intake of vegetable-fruit-soybean dietary pattern was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91), with little heterogeneity (p50.73, I 2 50%). There was no obvious publication bias according to funnel plot and Begg's and Egger's test. In summary, the evidence from this meta-analysis indicates that vegetable-fruit-soybean dietary pattern was inversely associated with breast cancer. However, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to elicit the clear effect of vegetable-fruit-soybean dietary pattern and breast cancer. Women can reduce the risks of breast cancer by eating more fruits and vegetables and soybeans, which is a constructive suggestion.

Factors for the Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

“…Based on our findings, the intake of fruit and vegetable had a significant protective effect against breast cancer. The results of a meta-analysis recently conducted by Zhang et al showed that the intake of vegetable-fruit-soybean dietary patterns could reduce the risk of breast cancer RR=0.87 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.91) 55 . Another meta-analysis conducted by Gandini et al reported similar results.…”

Diet and breast cancer

“…[29] Chi et al [30] in their meta a analysis showed that soy food intake reduced mortality and recurrence. The positive effect of soy food on breast cancer development has been confirmed in the study conducted by Trock et al [31] and Zhang et al [32] who concluded that soy intake could be inversely associated with cancer risk. On the other hand, genistein which is a form of isoflavones promoted the proliferation of cancer cells and tumor growth in mice having deficient immune system [33] Furthermore, genistin which is glycoside of genistein could also enhance mammary estrogen-dependent tumors' growth.…”

Dietary Fat Intake: Associations with Dietary Patterns and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer—A Case-Control Study

“…This a posteriori approach allows presenting the consumption frequency of many food items, and it uncovers the associations between them into a smaller set of variables in several dietary patterns [ 64 ]. Identifying DPs has been widely used in various subpopulations across the world to describe diet as a whole and find associations between diet and health outcomes [ 32 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 65 ]. PCA is the most widely used statistical technique for the identified DPs [ 64 ].…”

“…Thus, an assessment including the intake of nutrients such as fat (in conjunction with the derived DPs) may provide a more comprehensive view of diet in relation to the health outcomes and disease risk [ 34 ]. Available studies have shown a positive association between BC risk and Westernized DPs characterized by high consumption of animal fat, red and processed meat [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], and inverse associations between BC risk and a Mediterranean dietary pattern composed of fish, olive oil, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fruit [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Besides research on associations of dietary patterns or dietary fat intake with breast cancer risk, there is a need to explore the link between dietary patterns and fat intake expressed as a component of DPs.…”