At the American Association of Cancer Research meeting I heard several sessions on the relationship between diet and breast cancer.  What came through loud and clear is that the three biggest factors for postmenopausal breast cancer are body weight, physical activity, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). 

It would be so much easier if we could point the finger at plastic water bottles in the sun (or something equally simple), but it's really our own activities that make the biggest difference in breast cancer prevention. If you lose weight -- and keep it off -- there will be a 60% decrease in your risk. Overall, regular physical activity and a healthy weight could decrease the total incidence of breast cancer by 30% and cut the mortality rate from postmenopausal breast cancer in half!

Other interesting findings are that alcohol increases breast cancer, but not if you have adequate folate levels. There may also be a link between high dairy intake and breast cancer. Dr. Walter Willet, chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard's School of Public Health, stated that 'if you want to find the environmental hormones in the environment, look in the milk!' These studies are ongoing, but opened my eyes to another modifiable risk. Finally he showed us some data suggesting that high meat intake in adolescents may be a risk factor for premenopausal breast cancer.

It's great that we are finally getting some guidance in these issues and it is thanks to the wonderful women who have volunteered to take part in the Nurse’s Health Study over the years that we do. I hope that the Love/Avon Army of Women will take the next step to find the cause of breast cancer and eradicate it once and for all!