“Glycemic load” of diet tied to breast cancer risk

	Tweet

The amount of carbohydrates a woman eats, as well as the overall “glycemic load” of her diet, impact her chances of developing breast cancer, Swedish researchers report.

The concept of glycemic load is based on the fact that different carbohydrates have different effects on blood sugar. White bread and potatoes, for example, have a high glycemic index, which means they tend to cause a rapid surge in blood sugar. Other carbs, such as high-fiber cereals or beans, create a more gradual change and are considered to have a low glycemic index.

Dr. Susanna C. Larsson of Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and colleagues analyzed data on 61,433 women who completed “food frequency” questionnaires in the late 1980s. 

Over the course of about 17 years, 2952 women developed breast cancer and, according to the investigators, glycemic load “was significantly positively associated with risk of overall breast cancer.” Women with higher glycemic load diets were more apt to develop breast cancer.

In addition, carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load were all positively associated with risk of a certain type of breast tumor - namely, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/progesterone receptor (PR)-negative breast cancer.

Women with the highest “glycemic index diet” had a 44% increased risk of developing ER+/PR- breast cancer compared to women with the lowest glycemic index diet.

Women in the highest category of “glycemic load” had an 81% increased risk of ER+/PR- tumors, and those with the highest carbohydrate intake had a 34% increased risk, compared to those in the lowest groups.

The investigators speculate that high-glycemic load diets may boost breast cancer risk by increasing concentrations of insulin and sex hormones in the body, which may contribute to the development and spread of breast cancer cells.

The findings support the benefits on breast health of a diet high in healthy “low glycemic index” foods.

SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, July 2009.

RELATED STORIES:
Estrogen therapy linked to benign breast disease   Calcium pills no help against breast cancer: study   Potential New “Twist” in Breast Cancer Detection   MR spectroscopy identifies breast cancer, reduces biopsies   Cancer study backs Herceptin with chemo   EU agency reviews Roche’s Avastin in breast cancer   Larger breasts confer higher breast cancer risk   Antiestrogen Therapy May Decrease Risk for Melanoma   Bitter melon extract attacks breast cancer cells   Interventions for relieving the pain and discomfort of screening mammography   Healthy habits prevent breast cancer: study   Late treatment with letrozole can reduce breast cancer recurrence risk   Psychological interventions associated with breast cancer survival   Chemotherapy and breast cancer - side effects underestimated   Many Women Who Had Childhood Cancer Do Not Undergo Breast Cancer Screening   Resistance to anti-estrogen therapy in breast cancer due to natural cell response   Statin Therapy Ineffective in Breast Cancer Prevention   Discovery suggests location of genes for breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer   COX-2 expression is marker for cancer development in some benign breast biopsies   Breast cancer drug switch cuts deaths   Women at risk of breast cancer decline tamoxifen   Breast cancer: To screen or not to screen?

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]