How Diet Affected The Likelihood Of Breast Cancer

The study found that a higher intake of red meat products during early adulthood was associated with a 22% increased risk of breast cancer. 

Conversely, a higher intake of poultry during early adulthood was associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Replacing one portion of red meat a day with a portion of another high-protein food such as legumes, poultry, nuts and fish was associated with a 14% lower risk of breast cancer overall and premenopausal breast cancer.

The researchers conclude that "replacing red meat with a combination of legumes, poultry, nuts and fish may reduce the risk of breast cancer."
 
This is also recommended by the ACS, who have the following nutritional advice:

• Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods
• Limit how much processed meat and red meat you eat
• Limit your intake of processed meats such as bacon, sausage, lunch meats and hot dogs
• Choose fish, poultry or beans instead of red meat (beef, pork and lamb)
• If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts and eat smaller portions
• Prepare meat, poultry and fish by baking, broiling or poaching rather than by frying or charbroiling.

Dr. Maryam Farvid, one of the researchers from the study, told Medical News Today that they will continue their research by "evaluating the association between other food items and nutrients intake in early adulthood as well as during adolescence, and risk of breast cancer before and after menopause."

Further research is needed into this area, but for now, this study suggests that we should emphasize the importance of early adulthood with regards to our health in the long-term, along with the impact of diet.