Dietary-Related Preventative Factors for Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study from the Mecca Region

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it affects both males and females. In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer has been the most prevalent type of cancer for the past few years in females. Dietary habits and cultural beliefs vary according to region, and further studies are required to demonstrate the relationship between these dietary habits and cultural beliefs and the risk of developing breast cancer. This study aims to discover the relationship between preventative dietary factors and rates of breast cancer among postmenopausal females in the Mecca region. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at King Abdulla Medical City hospital in Mecca and included 432 Saudi female participants: 218 in a control group and 214 breast cancer patients. All participants were postmenopausal, around the same age, and all were ethnically Arab Saudis. Data was obtained using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Results: Study results showed that a diet including 1-2 servings of legumes weekly, 1-5 servings of fish weekly, 1-5 servings of dairy products daily, 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and more than one cup of black tea and coffee per day significantly (p<0.05) reduced the risk of breast cancer.Conclusion: This study supports the effect of a healthy diet incorporating dairy products, legumes, fish, fruits and vegetables, black tea, and coffee as a preventative factor against breast cancer in females from the Mecca region.