Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity: Two Imperative Components in Breast Cancer Prevention

• Authors: Fahmida Dilnaz, Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College & Hospital; Farzina Zafar, Emory University; Tanzina Afroze, University of Washington; Ummul B Zakia, Sir Salimullah Medical College; Tutul Chowdhury, One Brooklyn Health System; Sanzida S Swarna, US Department of Veterans Affairs; Sawsan Fathma, Mayo Clinic, Rochester; Ruhina Tasmin, University of Southern California; Md Sakibuzzaman, Sir Salimullah Medical College; Tasuva T Fariza, Merit Health Wesley; Shayet Hossain Eshan, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago
• Journal Title: Cureus
• Volume: Volume 13, Number 8
• Publisher: Cureus, Inc. | 2021-08-19
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17306
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Pathology
• Keywords: breast cancer; mediterranean diet; physical activity; gut microbiome; cancer prevention

Abstract

Despite tremendous advances in medicine over the past few decades and significantly improved understanding of the symptomology and contributors to breast cancer (BC) incidence, BC rates continue to rise worldwide, with BC being a leading cause of cancer-related death among women. To reduce BC incidence, it is necessary to focus on promoting prevention strategies through a population-based approach of lowering exposure to modifiable risk factors in addition to the application of newer drug interventions (chemoprevention) for prevention in high-risk populations. Currently, available data suggest that lifestyle modifications through a healthy diet and increased physical activity (PA) play a crucial role in BC prevention; specifically, there is growing evidence to indicate that the Mediterranean diet (MeD) lowers cancer risk. This review summarizes the potential role of the MeD and PA in reducing BC risk, with an additional focus on microbial modulation in BC prevention, based on the current evidence obtained from PubMed. After reviewing the immunomodulatory and anticarcinogenic effects of both the MeD and PA, we conclude that further evaluation and proper implementation of both interventions can significantly reduce the risk of BC and associated mortality in the general population.