Saturday Aug 2, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A case-control study suggests that eating added sugar increases risk of breast cancer in both premenopausal and postmenopausal while eating fiber decreases the risk regardless of the menopausal status.

The study shows that premenopausal and postmenopausal women in the highest quartile of sugar consumption were twice as likely as those in the lowest quartile to develop breast cancer.

In contrast, women in the highest quartile of dietary fiber intake were 70% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with those in the lowest quartile.

The study found no association between consumption of carbohydrate, that is, starch and risk of breast cancer.

Previous studies have suggested that dietary carbohydrate, fiber and sugar intake play a role in the etiology of breast cancer.   But not all studies are consistent.   

The data used in the study came from 382 cases of breast cancer and 382 controls in Malaysia.  Food intake pattern was surveyed using a food frequency questionnaire.

The findings indicate that eating sugar sweetened beverages and sugar added processed foods may increase risk of breast cancer while eating plant-based diet can reduce the risk.   (David Liu)

Sulaiman S1, Shahril MR, Wafa SW, Shaharudin SH, Hussin SN.  Dietary carbohydrate, fiber and sugar and risk of breast cancer according to menopausal status in malaysia.  Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2014;15(14):5959-64.