ABSTRACT
The link between dietary factors and breast cancer risk was apparent in ecological or correlation studies. In contrast, much fewer studies have investigated the role of dietary fiber in altering breast cancer risk. This chapter aims to examine the epidemiological and experimental evidence that dietary fiber reduces breast cancer risk and to discuss the potential mechanisms through which fiber exerts its protective effects. Ecological or correlation studies are the simplest type of epidemiological study to examine the relationship between dietary factors and breast cancer. Weaknesses of case-control studies include alterations in dietary and biochemical variables being investigated by the disease, biased recall of past diets by cases due to their knowledge of having the disease, and smaller ranges of nutrient intakes. In addition to altering breast tissue density, dietary fiber consumption may have a direct effect on breast tumors.
