By Nicole Chiu - Contributing Health Journalist

Again, another set of research is showing that a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may help with breast cancer patients and longer life spans, particularly if the women change their dietary habits upon the earlier detection of breast cancer.

The most recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, involved 1,901 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and questionnaires regarding their diet, exercise habits and other factors between 2000 and 2002. The data was then followed-up for up to eight years.

Between this period, 226 women died and 128 of the deaths were attributed to breast cancer.

From the cohort reported to have a ‘prudent’ dietary pattern – involving more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and low red meats – the overall death rate was significantly lower compared to those with diets rich in processed meats, snack foods, high-fat dairy and refined grains.

The study concluded that women with the ‘Western’ eating habit of processed meats, snack foods, etc, were 53 percent more at risk of death overall.

However, neither diet has been directly correlated to a recurrence of breast cancer, or specifically to a woman’s risk of dying from the disease. Yet the links overall are just as alarming, given the fact that such prudent diets are now “very much an important factor” in terms of breast cancer survival, noted lead researcher Dr. Marilyn L. Kwan from Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California.

“Women living with breast cancer still want to know how they can improve their overall chances of surviving, and as our study shows, eating a more healthful diet is beneficial for overall survival,” said Kwan.

Thus the conclusions to be drawn from this set of research is that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and poultry, rather than a diet rich in red meats, refined grains – such as white bread – and fast food or junk food, may result in longevity and overall health in comparison.

Such overall health is especially important not only for reducing the risks of breast cancer developing into its more fatal stages, yet also in prevention of other cancers or chronic diseases.

At this point the study has been focused on adopting the ‘prudent’ diet when a woman is in the early stages of breast cancer, and further research needs to be established to determine any links between such a diet and risks of fatality for women in the later stages of breast cancer.