Breast cancer is one of the most
common cancers among women, and recurrence remains a major concern for
healthcare professionals. Despite significant advancements in treatment,
research continues to explore new strategies to prevent disease recurrence. Among
these strategies, dietary impact is gaining growing interest. Recent studies
suggest that dietary adjustments may influence survival and reduce the risk of
recurrence in breast cancer patients.
This study aims to evaluate the
effectiveness of a diet intervention based on a Mediterranean diet enriched
with macrobiotic elements in preventing breast cancer recurrence in high-risk
patients.
What are the Effects of a
Macro-Mediterranean Diet on Breast Cancer Recurrence Risks?
The DIANA-5 study is a randomized
controlled trial conducted with 1,542 women. These women, treated for stage I
to III breast cancer, were at high risk of recurrence due to metabolic
conditions such as hyperinsulinemia and elevated testosterone levels. They were
divided into two groups:
- Intervention Group: This group received dietary
recommendations based on the "macro-Mediterranean" diet (focused
on whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fish), as well as support to put
these recommendations into practice (cooking classes, community meals,
etc.).
- Control Group: This group received general cancer
prevention guidelines.
After five years, results
showed no significant difference in cancer recurrence rates between the
groups. However, data analysis based on dietary compliance (glycemic index
and glycemic load combined) revealed that women who made the most dietary
changes had a 41% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence compared to those who
made the fewest dietary changes. Dietary modifications also led to significant
improvements in certain metabolic parameters, such as blood glucose and
triglyceride levels.
Breast Cancer Recurrence: When
a Controlled Diet Can Make a Difference
The study’s results did not
confirm that an overall dietary modification based on a Mediterranean and
macrobiotic diet can reduce breast cancer recurrence risk in at-risk patients.
However, the findings underscore the importance of a controlled diet in
reducing breast cancer-associated metabolic risk factors and recurrence.
Building on these observations, further research is needed to clarify the
impact of diet on breast cancer recurrence and to develop more effective and
sustainable dietary strategies for relapse prevention.
