Intakes of Energy and Nutrients and Risk of Breast Cancer: Case-Control Study in Daegu,Gyeongbuk Area, Korea

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of nutrient intake levels on the relative risk of breast cancer in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk area. The case subjects were 103 patients newly diagnosed as breast cancer at Kyungpook National University Hospital. The control subjects were 159 healthy women without breast cancer-related disease in the same community selected by frequency matching of age and menopausal status. The survey was administered by individual interviews by trained dietitians using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires. The odds ratios were determined by using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for the confounding factors found in the analysis of general characteristics of the subjects. In overall, it has been found that high consumptions of energy and carbohydrates significantly raised the relative risk of breast cancer, and that high intakes of total fat, plant fat, dietary fiber, all kinds of fatty acids, vitamin E and calcium significantly lowered the risk of breast cancer. The results of the study suggest that the possible protective factors to the breast cancer risk include a higher intakes of total fat, especially plant fat, dietary fiber, and micronutrients such as vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. On the other hand, high intakes of energy and carbohydrate appeared to be the risk factors.

Reproductive Factor and Food Intake Pattern Influencing on the Breast Cancer Risk in Daegu Gyungbuk Area, Korea

The present study examined the reproductive factors and food intake pattern which influence on the breast cancer risk in Daegu Gyungbuk area. The case subjects were 103 patients newly diagnosed as breast cancer at Kyungpook National University Hospital. The control subjects were 159 healthy women selected by frequency matching of age and menopausal status in the same community. The survey was conducted by individual interviews using questionnaires which include general and reproductive characteristics, dietary habits, and food frequency. The odds ratios were calculated by using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for confounding variables. The mean age of the subjects was 50 yrs, and mean body mass index was significantly high in the patient group than in the control. The patient group had a significantly higher familial history of breast cancer and a significantly shorter breast-feeding period compared to the control group. It has been found no significant relationship between extrinsic hormone use such as oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy and breast cancer risk. In regard of food habits, a high preference for the cooking method of steaming rather than frying, panbroiling or roasting was significantly associated with lower relative risk of breast cancer. The higher intake frequencies of fruits for all subjects, and seaweeds only for postmenopausal subjects were related with a significantly lower relative risk of breast cancer. The results of the study suggest that the possible risk factors for the breast cancer occurrence include high BMI, family history, less breast feeding experience, preference for the cooking method of frying, and less consumption of fruits and seaweeds. This study provides an useful data for nutrition education to prevent breast cancer for the residents in Daegu Gyungbuk area.