The Mediterranean Diet and Breast Cancer Risk

Christiana A. Demetriou, Andreas Hadjisavvas, Maria A. Loizidou, Paolo Vineis, Kyriacos Kyriacou

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

There is ample evidence that the Mediterranean diet reduces breast cancer risk, despite the fact that findings across studies and populations have not been consistent. The protective effect of the Mediterranean diet is in line with the fact that some of its key components, such as fruit, vegetables, folate, and olive oil, have also been shown to have beneficial effects with regards to breast carcinogenesis.The mechanisms through which these components are hypothesized to exert their protective effects include epigenetics and more specifically DNA methylation, antioxidant functions, biological response modification, antiestrogenic, antiproliferative, and antiangiogenic activities.Further research to investigate the effects of intensity and timing of exposure and to elucidate the mechanistic pathways involved in the relationship is essential. The answers to these questions will provide biomarkers for prevention and early detection as well as targets for therapy, establishing the causality of the association and supporting adherence to the Mediterranean diet as a prevention strategy for breast cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Mediterranean Diet
Subtitle of host publicationAn Evidence-Based Approach
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages407-416
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780124079427
ISBN (Print)9780124078499
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biomarkers
  • Breast cancer
  • DNA methylation
  • Exposome
  • Folate
  • Mediterranean diet
  • Mediterranean diet score
  • Olive oil
  • Vegetables

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