Fewer than 3 of 10 women cite diet when asked how to reduce chances of breast cancer

Just 28% of U.S. girls are conscious {that a} healthful weight loss program can decrease the chance of growing breast most cancers, based on a just-released Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult survey.

The ballot included 2,017 girls interviewed from July 25, 2024, to July 28, 2024. When prompted with a follow-up query about which particular meals may cut back breast most cancers danger, 23% talked about greens, and 16% talked about fruits. Only 17% had been conscious that soy merchandise cut back breast most cancers danger, whereas 16% erroneously mentioned that soy will increase the chance of growing breast most cancers.

The findings present nearly no improve in consciousness of preventive steps in current many years. In a 1995 phone survey of 510 girls, 23% cited dietary elements (lowering consumption of fats or meat or rising consumption of greens, fruit, fiber, or vegetarian meals) as methods to scale back the chance of growing breast most cancers.

Dr. Kristi Funk, a breast most cancers surgeon and main prevention skilled from Los Angeles, mentioned, “It’s clear that tens of millions of ladies have but to listen to the lifesaving message that what they eat and drink strongly influences their probabilities of growing breast most cancers. Science reveals practically 50% of instances are preventable by means of weight loss program and way of life, no less than in idea, and in my view, 80 to 90% of instances may very well be averted.”

Neal Barnard, MD, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, mentioned, “Public teaching programs on breast most cancers have targeted on mammograms, which play a significant function, however are usually not sufficient. It is important to empower individuals with steps they’ll take to guard themselves, and a nutritious diet is on the prime of the record.”

Results of the brand new survey additionally present:

• When requested about particular classes which will improve the chance of growing most cancers, girls had been almost definitely to quote being obese and excessive consumption of processed meats. But simply 24% mentioned they’re conscious that prime consumption of dairy merchandise will increase the chance. Earlier analysis had discovered that ladies who consumed 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cow’s milk per day had a 30% elevated likelihood of growing breast most cancers. One cup per day elevated the chance by 50%, and a couple of to three cups had been related to an 80% elevated likelihood of growing breast most cancers.

• Nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents mentioned they’ve by no means obtained info or training in regards to the hyperlink between diet and breast most cancers from a well being care skilled.

The Physicians Committee, a nationwide nonprofit well being advocacy group of greater than 17,000 medical doctors, recommends a four-pronged method to stopping breast most cancers: Eat an entire meals, plant-based weight loss program, train recurrently, restrict alcohol and preserve a wholesome weight.

Stephanie McBurnett, a registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee, added, “Research reveals that consuming a low-fat plant-based weight loss program wealthy in fruits, greens, grains, and beans not solely helps decrease breast most cancers danger. It’s additionally helpful for breast most cancers survivors.”

Provided by
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine