Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women worldwide and is increasing in developing countries where the majority of cases are diagnosed at later stages (WHO, 2018). Mutations in breast cancer genes (i.e. BRCA-1, BRCA-2) confer a high risk of breast cancer. However, familial cases are rare and contribute a relatively small percentage of breast cancer tumors. Risk factors for both familial and sporadic breast cancer include no or delayed reproductive history, exposure to exogenous estrogens, and use of contraceptive or replacement hormones therapies. Dietary and lifestyle-related conditions that affect the risk of breast cancer include overweight and obesity, and lack of physical activity. Adherence to certain dietary patterns such as Mediterranean and Asian diet has been associated with lower risk of developing breast cancer, in particular for estrogen receptor-negative breast tumors. Conversely, the adoption of Western-like diets has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer.
Objective of this Research Topic is to highlight through expert reviews the most current and cutting-edge information about opportunities for nutritional targeting of breast cancer. Specific focus will be placed on preclinical and clinical evidence of interactions of diet and bioactive food components with molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast tumor control including effects of nutrition in mutation carriers and impact of polymorphisms related to metabolism of dietary agents; role of cellular receptors as sensors of dietary exposures and breast cancer modulators; interplay between exercise and obesity on breast cancer risk and development; role of ethnic-specific differences in overweight/obesity prevalence and development of breast cancer subtypes; impact of different dietary patterns on microbiome and breast tumor development; and how interactions between nutrients and therapeutic agents influence breast cancer outcomes.
We would also like to acknowledge that Barbara Stillwater (University of Arizona, Tucson, United States) acted as coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women worldwide and is increasing in developing countries where the majority of cases are diagnosed at later stages (WHO, 2018). Mutations in breast cancer genes (i.e. BRCA-1, BRCA-2) confer a high risk of breast cancer. However, familial cases are rare and contribute a relatively small percentage of breast cancer tumors. Risk factors for both familial and sporadic breast cancer include no or delayed reproductive history, exposure to exogenous estrogens, and use of contraceptive or replacement hormones therapies. Dietary and lifestyle-related conditions that affect the risk of breast cancer include overweight and obesity, and lack of physical activity. Adherence to certain dietary patterns such as Mediterranean and Asian diet has been associated with lower risk of developing breast cancer, in particular for estrogen receptor-negative breast tumors. Conversely, the adoption of Western-like diets has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer.
Objective of this Research Topic is to highlight through expert reviews the most current and cutting-edge information about opportunities for nutritional targeting of breast cancer. Specific focus will be placed on preclinical and clinical evidence of interactions of diet and bioactive food components with molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast tumor control including effects of nutrition in mutation carriers and impact of polymorphisms related to metabolism of dietary agents; role of cellular receptors as sensors of dietary exposures and breast cancer modulators; interplay between exercise and obesity on breast cancer risk and development; role of ethnic-specific differences in overweight/obesity prevalence and development of breast cancer subtypes; impact of different dietary patterns on microbiome and breast tumor development; and how interactions between nutrients and therapeutic agents influence breast cancer outcomes.
We would also like to acknowledge that Barbara Stillwater (University of Arizona, Tucson, United States) acted as coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
