Article
Association of dietary intake with breast density among women in south Germany
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Published: | September 20, 2011 |
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Background: Effects of dietary factors, such as adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern, multivitamin-multimineral supplements use and alcohol consumption, on mammographic breast density, an important biomarker of breast cancer risk, are not sufficiently consistent to elaborate preventive recommendations. This study aims to investigate the association between current diet, alcohol consumption and mammographic density.
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in 424 pre- and post-menopausal women aged 21 to 84 years. Current Mediterranean type dietary pattern, multivitamin-multimineral supplements use, alcohol consumption and potential confounders were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire in the mammography unit of University Hospital Ulm (2007 -2008). Radiologists of Ulm University's clinic evaluated mammographic density according to American College of Radiology (ACR) classification, which was summarized in low=ACR1, 2 and high=ACR3, 4 mammographic density. Logistic regression models were calculated to assess the association between current dietary intake and mammographic density, adjusted for age, BMI, menopausal status, education and other potential confounders.
Results: Current use of multivitamin-multimineral supplements was inversely associated with a high mammographic density in adjusted model (OR = 0.53; CI = 0.34 – 0.83). Stratification by menopausal status shows similar associations, statistically significant only in post-menopausal women.
A Mediterranean type dietary pattern was also inversely associated with high mammographic density, adjusted for age and BMI (per unit increase OR = 0.95; CI = 0.90 – 0.997). Stratification by menopausal status shows a similar statistically significant result only in post-menopausal women.
Compared to non-drinkers excessive alcohol consumption (10-47 g/day) was not associated with mammographic density in adjusted model (OR = 1.47; CI = 0.82 – 2.63).
Conclusions: Current use of multivitamin-multimineral supplements and adherence to Mediterranean type diet may be associated with a lower mammographic density and may suggest a protective effect against breast cancer.