A major review of published research has found that certain key factors could impact the risk of death for women after a breast cancer diagnosis.
The four reviews were carried out as part of World Cancer Research Fund International's Global Cancer Update Programme which is housed within Imperial College London's School of Public Health. The team sought to understand the links between body weight, physical activity, diet and the risk of death after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Key findings
The review found strong evidence that higher body weight, after a breast cancer diagnosis, increases the risk of death.
There was some evidence that being more physically active (with activities such as aerobics, walking or running) could reduce the risk of death after being diagnosed, as well as reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
In regards to diet, the review found some evidence that eating more dietary fibre could reduce the risk of death. There was also some evidence that consuming soy could reduce the risk of death as well as breast cancer recurrence.
Dr Doris Chan, co-author of the review and Research Fellow in Nutrition, said: "Many women living with breast cancer seek lifestyle advice. It is important that they have access to reliable information about healthy living.
“The findings from these reviews strengthen the case for women with breast cancer to be supported by their healthcare team to make positive behaviour changes. These could include eating a healthier diet and being physically active, all of which play a role in maintaining a healthy weight”.
Breast cancer rates
In 2020, globally, breast cancer was the most common form of cancer among women. There were an estimated 2.3 million cases and 700,000 deaths. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women worldwide living at least five years after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the UK, with 56,987 new cases in 2019. Three in 10 new cases of cancer in women in 2019 was breast cancer.
The Global Cancer Update Programme
World Cancer Research Fund International’s flagship Global Cancer Update Programme provides an analysis of international scientific research into how diet, nutrition, physical activity and weight affect cancer risk and survival. The programme is produced in partnership with American Institute for Cancer Research, World Cancer Research Fund in the UK and Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds in The Netherlands.
As part of its development the Global Cancer Update Programme has built the largest cancer prevention database in the world, housed within the School of Public Health at Imperial. It is the only authoritative scientific resource of its kind, is evaluated by an independent Panel of leading cancer experts and to date contains approximately 12,000 papers on cancer prevention and survival.
The four reviews have been published in the International Journal of Cancer and can be find via the links below:
Post-diagnosis body fatness, recreational physical activity, dietary factors and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme summary of evidence grading. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.34320
Post-diagnosis recreational physical activity and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme systematic literature review and meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.34324
Post-diagnosis body fatness, weight change and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme systematic literature review and meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.34322
Post-diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme systematic literature review and meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.34321
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