According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), most American women did not mention diet when asked how to reduce their risk of breast cancer, even though it is a major risk factor.
Only 28 percent of women who completed the 15-minute online survey in July cited diet as a possible way to reduce their risk, but 56 percent cited screening methods such as mammograms.
"It is clear that millions of women have not yet heard the life-saving message that what they eat and drink has a significant impact on their risk of developing breast cancer," Dr. Kristi Funk, a breast cancer surgeon and prevention expert, said in a statement.
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"Scientific research shows that almost 50 percent of cases can be prevented through proper nutrition and lifestyle, at least in theory. In my opinion, 80 to 90 percent of cases could be prevented."
Still, the survey results indicated that little progress has been made in spreading awareness about breast cancer prevention over the past 30 years. In a 1995 telephone survey of 510 women, 23 percent cited diet as a possible prevention method, down just 5 percentage points from the previous month.
"Public education programs about breast cancer have focused on mammograms, which play a vital role but are not sufficient. It is essential to provide people with steps they can take to protect themselves, and a healthy diet is at the top of the list," Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the PCRM, said in a statement.
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When respondents to the online survey were asked which foods might reduce the risk of breast cancer, 61 percent could remember at least one food or eating habit that might help.
The most common answer was that being overweight or having a high intake of processed meat could increase the risk of breast cancer. Vegetables were mentioned by 23 percent of women and 16 percent mentioned fruit.
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"Soy products such as tofu, tempeh, edamame and soy milk are high in isoflavones, which have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer," registered dietitian Stephanie McBurnett told Newsweek.
"In addition, the phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, in soy products lower the amount of human estrogen in the body, which may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer."
However, only 17 percent of women surveyed by the PCRM knew that soy could reduce the risk of breast cancer, and 16 percent thought that soy might actually increase the risk.
Just under a quarter of respondents - 24 percent - said that higher dairy consumption could contribute to breast cancer risk. Research shows that one cup of cow's milk a day can lead to a 50 percent increase in breast cancer risk, while two to three cups a day can mean an 80 percent increase.
Only 2 percent of respondents cited a plant-based or vegetarian diet as a possible strategy to prevent breast cancer.
The PCRM also found that 72 percent of respondents reported never having received education or information from a health care provider about the relationship between nutrition, diet and breast cancer risk.
McBurnett said Newsweek that high-fiber foods, soy products, flaxseed, and cruciferous vegetables all contain nutrients that may reduce the risk of breast cancer.
"Fiber is found only in plant foods and has a variety of health benefits, including helping to remove waste products, such as excess estrogen and carcinogens, from our system. Legumes, including chickpeas, are high in fiber," she said. "Ground flaxseed contains special fibers called lignans, which have been shown to block estrogen receptors and reduce the growth of breast cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
and kale, contain high amounts of sulforaphane, a compound that has been shown to
anti-cancer and estrogen blocking properties."
McBurnett also explained that some animal foods have been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, including sausage, bacon, turkey bacon, ham, hot dogs, cold cuts and eggs.
"High-fat, high-meat diets are often low in fiber and antioxidants, but high in saturated fat and carcinogens," she said.
Data were collected from various demographics and then weighted to represent the adult female U.S. population in terms of age, race, region, and education level. Women were more likely to be informed if they were older, better educated, or wealthier.
September is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S. To reduce your risk, the PCRM recommends eating a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight, McBurnett told Newsweek her best advice to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
"Eat plants!" she said. "The more you fill your plate with nutritious, fiber-rich plants that are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, the lower your risk of breast cancer.
"Eat soy. Women who eat the most soy have the lowest risk of breast cancer.
"Eat less meat. Every time you replace meat with plant proteins, you reduce your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
"Exercise as much as possible. Exercise lowers estrogen levels in the blood and women who exercise regularly have a lower risk of breast cancer.
"Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a known carcinogen and has been strongly linked to breast cancer. Try a new mocktail or fun fruit frizzy drink instead!"
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Commission of physicians for responsible medicine and morning consultation. (2024, August). Beliefs about dietary factors in breast cancer prevention among American women. https://pcrm.widen.net/s/fblnjvzsdh/pcrm-breast-cancer-awareness-8.15.24