Breast cancer: some foods to avoid and a little common sense ...

During a conference in Paris by the Federated Women's Committees for the prevention and detection of cancers, researchers presented an overview of scientific knowledge concerning the link between nutrition and cancer.

It is well established that diet has an effect on the risk of developing cancer. "A serious British analysis estimated the contribution of diet in the development of cancer in 30-40% of men and 60% among women," said Dr. Serge Hercberg of Scientific and Technical Institute of Nutrition and Food.

For fifteen years, many studies have attempted to determine the relationship between nutrition and cancer. In 2007 was published a report based on the analysis by twenty international experts, nearly 7,000 studies worldwide. This work has identified for each cancer, the influence of various parameters related to food.

In the case of breast cancer, Dr. Hercberg recalls that this analysis showed that alcohol consumption increases the risk, and that "at any age and from the first drop." Consumption of three drinks per day and increase the risk of developing breast cancer by 30%.

From this analysis, several recommendations are valid on all cancers were issued. They state that it is necessary, in particular, limit the consumption of red meat and foods with high caloric density increase and vary the consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, and limit salty foods.

Professor Jean-Marie Bourre, a researcher at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), then recalled the involvement of fat, especially trans fatty acids. A French study showed an almost doubling of the risk of breast cancer associated with a high intake of trans fatty acids.

These trans "technological" fatty acids are found in vegetable oils having undergone partial hydrogenation, a process to give them stability vis-à-vis the oxidation and a solid texture. They are used, for example, pastries, candy bars, cookies or chips.

The consumption of a certain type of fat, omega 3 can however help prevent the development of breast cancer, says Dr. Bourre.

They are found in canola oil, fish and seafood

Professor Dominique Parent-Massin, microbiology laboratory and food security of Brest, for his part, reiterated the risk involved in soybeans. "This oilseeds contains phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, molecules whose characteristic is to mimic the action of hormones such as estrogen and thus promote the development of breast cancer," she explains. The expert therefore invites women "to avoid soy food."

Regarding pesticides, Dr. Parent-Massin wants to be reassuring because "the presence of pesticides in foods is strictly controlled." It stresses the need to distinguish the risks taken by a farmer when applying pesticides and the consumer. "The permissible doses in the diet do not cause breast cancer," she said.