A new research review published in Seminars in Cancer Biology calls attention to the growing body of evidence linking obesity and diet to breast cancer risk. The authors suggest nutrition therapy may become a key component of both cancer prevention and treatment.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, with millions of new cases each year. At the same time, global obesity rates have risen sharply, prompting researchers to explore how excess body fat influences cancer development and survival. The review explains that obesity can increase breast cancer risk through multiple biological pathways, including excess estrogen production, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and changes to the gut microbiome.
Evidence cited in the paper suggests that roughly 7% of breast cancer cases in postmenopausal women may be attributable to overweight or obesity, and each increase in body mass index raises risk further. Obesity is also associated with poorer treatment responses and higher rates of recurrence and mortality.
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Researchers evaluated several dietary approaches as potential interventions. The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and olive oil, has been linked to reduced breast cancer risk, improved metabolic health and beneficial changes in gut bacteria. The ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting have also been examined for their potential to improve metabolic markers and enhance treatment response, but long-term clinical evidence remains limited.
The review also highlights the potential role of natural compounds found in foods like turmeric, soy and green tea. These substances may help make cancer treatments more effective and reduce side effects, although research is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, research into the gut microbiome suggests that diet-driven changes in microbial composition may influence hormone metabolism, inflammation and immune responses linked to cancer progression.
Despite promising findings, the authors stress that more long-term studies are needed to confirm whether dietary interventions can improve survival and reduce recurrence. They say that personalized nutrition tailored to genetic, metabolic and microbiome factors could become an important part of cancer care, alongside standard treatments such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
“Ultimately, embedding tailored nutritional strategies into standard cancer protocols has the potential to not only improve prognosis but also empower patients in their survivorship journey,” the authors conclude.
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