CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BE TWEEN DIET AND BREAST-CANCER IN A SAMPLE FROM 3 SPANISH HOSPITAL POPULATIONS - REPERCUSSION OF FOOD, ENERGY AND NUTRIENT INTAKE

A case-control study was conducted to analyze the possible role of die t on the incidence of breast cancer in a group of 275 women (139 cases and 136 controls) recruited hem three hospital populations (Madrid, M erida, and Santiago de Compostela). The retrospective intake of foods was studied by a modified dietary history; from this the intake of ene rgy, nutrients, fiber, and alcohol was derived. Intake of oils and fat s was significantly higher among cases, which translates into a higher intake of lipids and vitamin E. In contrast, intake of vitamin D and legumes was significantly lower. No differences were observed regardin g other foods and nutrients between cases and controls. The estimate o f the odds ratio as a relative risk measure for breast cancer, adjuste d and unadjusted for total energy, indicates that intake of cereals an d legumes, proteins, carbohydrates and fiber is apparently a protectiv e factor, whereas an excessive intake of meat, oils and fats and a lip id intake higher than 46% of the total caloric intake or poly-unsatura ted fatty acids higher than 15 g would be a risk factor for this patho logy.