Dr. Chlebowski on Dietary Modifications in Patients With Breast Cancer

Rowan T. Chlebowski, MD, PhD, professor and chief, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology/Hematology, discusses a planned follow-up analysis of the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification study, which examined the impact of reduced dietary fat intake in patients with breast cancer.

The Dietary Modification study monitored dietary fat intake but not weight loss, Chlebowski explains, though there was a statistically significant amount of weight loss reported. After 8 years of intervention, data showed 9% fewer breast cancers, with a hazard ratio of .91, out of 1700 cases.

A second planned follow-up analysis that will examine survival of patients who participated in the Dietary Modification study. Researchers may be able to determine if dietary modifications had an influence on tumor growth characteristics. However, Chlebowski notes that body mass index and physical activity are shown to have greater significance on this factor.