Does Eating Sugar Increase the Risk for Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer Risk and Refined Sugar Intake

Research published in the Annals of Oncology (2006;17(2):341–345) examined dietary patterns in 2,569 women with breast cancer and compared them with 2,588 hospital controls who did not have cancer or hormone-related disorders. Participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires, and researchers used logistic regression analysis to evaluate breast cancer risk.

The findings showed a clear association between higher consumption of refined desserts and breast cancer incidence:

• Women in the highest tertile of dessert intake—defined as more than seven servings per week—had a
  19% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women consuming fewer than 2.5 servings per week.

This observational research does not prove causation, but it is consistent with other studies linking high-glycemic or sugar-dense diets with metabolic and hormonal patterns that may influence cancer risk.