Fruits, vegetables, and micronutrient intake in relation to breast cancer survival

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Abstract
To determine whether fruit, vegetable, and micronutrient intake 1 year prior to breast cancer diagnosis is associated with a reduction in the subsequent risk of all-cause or breast cancer-specific mortality. Follow-up data from 1,235 invasive breast cancer cases age 25–98 years from the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project were analyzed. At the 1996–1997 case-control interview, respondents completed a food frequency questionnaire, which assessed dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, and vitamin supplement use in the previous 12 months. All-cause mortality (n=186 deaths) and breast cancer-specific mortality status (n=125 deaths, 67.2%) were determined through December 31, 2002. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality were insignificantly reduced for intake of any fruits, fruit juices, and vegetables (HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.42–1.09) and leafy vegetables (HR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.41–1.24) among post-menopausal women only. Both of these associations were more pronounced among those with ER+PR+ tumors (HR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.27–1.10, and HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.33–1.31, respectively). Similar associations were observed for breast cancer-specific mortality. In a cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer, higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and micronutrients was associated with a non-significant survival advantage in post-menopausal women only.