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Factors in the Causation of Female Cancers and Prevention

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Preventive Nutrition

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

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Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss risk factors that influence the onset of female cancers. Particular emphasis is given to breast and ovarian cancers and how dietary strategies may help to reduce the risk. Reviewed topics include cancer statistics in Western and developing countries; dietary patterns that modulate the risk of cancers in female carriers of mutations in susceptibility genes and selected polymorphisms; effects of fruits and vegetables on cancer risk. We also discuss the role of diet–hormone receptor status interactions and the impact of energy balance and obesity on cancer risk and prevention. A review of the major intervention trials on diet and breast cancer indicate that dietary fat reduction and increased fruits, vegetable, and fiber intake do not provide the basis for conclusive dietary recommendation. Data are currently lacking concerning the role of healthy dietary patterns and specific nutrients in the etiology of breast cancer. Evidence from cohort and case–control studies suggests that non-starchy vegetables may protect against ovarian and endometrial cancer. There is limited but consistent evidence that carrots, containing high levels of carotenoids, including β- and α-carotene, and certain antioxidants, may be protective against cervical cancer. Results of case–control studies indicate that red meat consumption is positively associated with endometrial cancer due to heme-iron, the generation of N-nitroso compounds, and the production of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The response to certain food components and mutagens is influenced by the interaction with genetic background including mutations in tumor susceptibility genes and polymorphisms for metabolizing genes. Future research is necessary to gain knowledge of the causal relationships between obesity, energy balance, physical activity, and the cancer process. Although caloric restriction is consistently associated with reduced mammary tumor development, it is not clear how it influences the metastatic process.

Key Points

• Cancer statistics in Western and developing countries suggest that geographical differences exist in incidence and mortality. Breast and ovarian cancer are more common in high-income countries. Conversely, endometrial and cervical cancer overall rates are nearly twice as high in middle- to low as in high-income populations. However, changes in risk after migration suggest that environmental factors and diet may play a role in the etiology of these malignancies.

Dietary patterns appear to modulate the risk of cancers in female carriers of mutations in the susceptibility gene, BRCA1, and selected polymorphisms for CYP1A1, NAT, and GST.

• Protective effects of fruits and vegetables may be related to specific bioactive compounds or specific subgroups of women with family history or differences in ER status.

• Early exposure in life to bioactive food components present in fruits and vegetables may exert protective effects against development of certain cancers later in life.

• Chronic positive energy balance, which can lead to obesity, raises the risk of developing multiple cancers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Sciences and BIO5 Research Institute, The University of Arizona, 85721-0038, Tucson, Az, USA

    Donato F. Romagnolo PHD

  2. Department of Medical and Research Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 21201, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Ivana Vucenik PHD

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  1. Donato F. Romagnolo PHD
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Correspondence to Donato F. Romagnolo PHD .

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    Adrianne Bendich

  2. Inst. Human Nutrition, Columbia University, West 168th St. 630 , New York, 10032, U.S.A.

    Richard J. Deckelbaum

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Romagnolo, D.F., Vucenik, I. (2010). Factors in the Causation of Female Cancers and Prevention. In: Bendich, A., Deckelbaum, R. (eds) Preventive Nutrition. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-542-2_7

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