Study: High Fiber Intake While Young May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

BOSTON, MA (CBS) – Eating lots of fiber could help lower the risk of breast cancer, according to a study.

Researchers found women who eat high-fiber foods during adolescence and young adulthood may have significantly lower breast cancer risk.

"Previous studies of fiber intake and breast cancer have almost all been non-significant, and none of them examined diet during adolescence or early adulthood, a period when breast cancer risk factors appear to be particularly important," said Maryam Farvid, visiting scientist at Harvard Chan School and lead author of the study.

"This work on the role of nutrition in early life and breast cancer incidence suggests one of the very few potentially modifiable risk factors for premenopausal breast cancer."

The study found breast cancer risk was 12 to 19 percent lower among females who ate more fiber in early adulthood.

For each additional 10 grams of fiber intake daily during early adulthood, breast cancer risk dropped by 13 percent, researchers found.

High intake of fiber during adolescence was also associated with 16 percent lower risk of overall breast cancer and 24 percent lower risk of breast cancer before menopause, according to the study.

Researchers say the greatest apparent benefit came from fruit and vegetable fiber.

"From many other studies we know that breast tissue is particularly influenced by carcinogens and anticarcinogens during childhood and adolescence," said Walter Willett, Fredrick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard Chan School and senior author of the study.

"We now have evidence that what we feed our children during this period of life is also an important factor in future cancer risk."