Red meat linked to increased breast cancer risk
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2006 11:44
Eating one and half portions of red meat every day could increase the risk of breast cancer
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Pre-menopausal women who eat red meat on a daily basis have a higher risk of developing hormone receptor–positive breast cancers in women, a US study claims.
Breast cancer is classified as hormone receptor-positive when oestrogen and progesterone bind to proteins on the surface of the tumour.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School studied 90,659 women from 1991 to 2003. Their intake of 130 different food and beverages was monitored as well as whether they developed breast cancer.
They found that women who ate more than one and a half servings of red meat per day had almost double the risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer compared to women who ate three or fewer servings per week.
Writing in the November 13th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, the researchers claim: "Several biological mechanisms may explain the positive association between red meat intake and hormone receptor–positive breast cancer risk."
These mechanisms could include compounds in cooked or processed meat which are known to increase mammary tumours in animals also being able to increase them in humans and the type of iron available in red meat enhancing tumour formation.
The researchers also propose that hormones used to promote growth in cattle in the US could influence breast cancer risk.
Responding to the report, Dr Sarah Rawlings, head of policy and information at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "Very little is known about diet and breast cancer risk because we eat a variety of foods and separating out the effect of an individual food is difficult.
"Previous studies looking at red meat and breast cancer have been inconclusive. This study relied on women accurately recalling their diet over the past year and was carried out in the US where animals receive growth hormones not permitted in the EU. More work is needed in this area before conclusions can be drawn."
She added: "Breakthrough Breast Cancer encourages all women to eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol consumption, exercise regularly and keep a healthy weight in order to maintain general good health."