That's especially true for breast cancer, where so much risk is related to hormonal factors and may be less influenced by diet, Doyle said. Jane Kotchen, a Medical College of Wisconsin professor who is helping conduct the Women's Health Initiative, a big government study of hormones and dietary fat on cancer and other medical conditions, agreed. Cancer is not one disease. But it's clear that a plant-based diet low in fat and high in whole grains helps prevent heart disease, diabetes and overall cancer risk, which is why the cancer society's dietary guidelines recommend eating that way, Doyle said. New guidelines are expected to be published in August.
Obesity clearly raises the risk of cancer.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 26, 2001. Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.