Mediterranean diet and breast cancer: A narrative review - Medwave

Revisión clínica

Published on 4 de marzo de 2025 | http://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2025.02.3027

Mediterranean diet and breast cancer: A narrative review

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Overview of the mediterranean diet and breast cancer.

Key aspect	Findings
Breast cancer overview	Most common and lethal cancer among women worldwide.Risk factors include age, genetics, obesity, diet, and hormonal factors.
Role of diet	Obesity and unhealthy diets increase breast cancer risk.High fruit/vegetable intake and low red meat/alcohol consumption reduce risk.
Mediterranean diet components	High intake: fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, olive oil.Moderate intake: fish, dairy, alcohol.Low intake: red meat, saturated fats, added sugars.
Molecular mechanisms	Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.Regulates gene expression (cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis).Modifies gut microbiota and estrogen levels.
Impact on quality of life	Improves physical/mental well-being, reduces pain, and enhances overall quality of life in breast cancer patients (clinical trials).
Mortality reduction	Higher adherence is associated with lower breast cancer mortality and overall mortality (25% reduction in one study).
Challenges and limitations	Variability in study designs, adherence measurements, and population differences.Discrepancies in results across studies.
Clinical implications	Suggested as part of dietary guidelines for prevention and management.Education/support programs needed for better adoption by patients and survivors.

Source: Prepared by the authors.