The Mediterranean diet reduces by 6% the risk of developing breast cancer

Barcelona (CNA) - Researchers at the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) have led the largest epidemiological study conducted in the world about breast cancer and nutrition. The study has taken samples from 1992 to 2000, including 335,062 women between 35 and 70 years old. Findings show that the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of breast cancer by 6% among women and by 7% among post-menopausal women. Furthermore, for tumours with negative hormone receptors of oestrogen and progesterone, the risk drops by 20%. The study has involved 23 centres in 10 European countries and it has been published in the ‘International Journal of Cancer’.

The research shows that the Mediterranean diet composed of fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, and a balance between fatty acids and a low intake of saturated fats are beneficial for reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. Furthermore, the study has shown that the numbers of tumours with negative hormone receptors of oestrogen and progesterone, by up to 20% in post-menopausal women.

The study was led by researchers from the Nutrition, Environment and Cancer Unit at the ICO on women from 23 centres in 10 European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.