Grapefruit may cause breast cancer

Hard on the heels of a study that linked racism with breast cancer comes one which links the consumption of grapefruit by post menopausal women with this disease

From  the BBC

Eating grapefruit every day could raise the risk of developing breast cancer by almost a third, US scientists say.

A study of 50,000 post-menopausal women found eating just a quarter of a grapefruit daily raised the risk by up to 30%.

The fruit is thought to boost levels of oestrogen - the hormone associated with a higher risk of the disease, the British Journal of Cancer reported.

But the researchers and other experts said more research was still needed.

A quarter of a grapefruit per day?

Disturbing since grapefruit are supposed to be good for you.

Interestingly enough the elevation of breast cancer  rates  in victims of racism is pretty much the same as the elevation in risk from consuming  grapefruit.

From the racism study

In addition, the incidence rate ratio was 1.32 (95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.70) for those who reported discrimination on the job and 1.48 (95% confidence interval: 1.01, 2.16) for those who reported discrimination in all three situations—housing, job, and police—relative to those who reported none

and the grapefruit study

Grapefruit intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (relative risk=1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.58) for subjects in the highest category of intake, that is, one-quarter grapefruit or more per day

That is they both only just manage to reach statistical significance at the 95% confidence interval.

So don't forgo grapefruit yet.

They are a very good source of vitamin C and anti-oxidants.

Comments

[AcidComments]

If it's true grapefruit boosts estrogen and can lead to an increase in breast cancer. Women then shouldn't consume regular amounts of soyamilk, eat tofu and go easy on other soy products in general then?

Soy products have powerful estrogen isoflavonoid properties.

[peter]

Andrei

Seems to me that those experiencing racism would also be from lower socio-economic groups - so racism may not be a causal driver here. For example there may be dietary implications for those that are poorer, that contributes to cancer. Smoking may be far more prevalent also.

Grapefruit is a worry though. I can't see that the grapefruit is a reliable surrogate for other common characteristics among grapefruit eaters.

[baxta]

One of my mum's favourite fruits is grapefruit. She has eaten one a day, in season, throughout her life. I generally provide her from my two trees for about four months of the year. She's 90. I can't see her being put off by this article.

[cancer syndrome]

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The most common lung cancer symptoms experienced are :

* Onset of wheezing

* Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis

* Shortness of breath

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* Coughing up blood

* Hoarseness

* Weight loss or loss of appetite

[liver cancer treatment]

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[generic viagra]

How healthy am I and how long can i expect to live?
I'm 5"5, 7 Stone 9 male, who live in the north of England . I exercise about 2 hours a week. I eat at least 4 portions of fruit and veg a day. Both my grandma's have diabetes, my grandfather had glaucoma and my grandmother that passed away before I was born had cancer.

[Tech Blog]

Really interesting article. never though about grapefruits like this.

[nail fungus treatment]

The British Journal of Cancer that found an increased risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women who ate large amounts of grapefruit.