Association between dietary carotenoid intake and breast cancer risk: a case–control study among Korean women

Abstract

The association between dietary carotenoids and breast cancer (BC) risks were inconsistent. Therefore, this study investigated the association between dietary carotenoid and BC risks among Korean women. We recruited participants from the National Cancer Centre of Korea. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated with a logistic regression model. There was an inverse association between dietary carotenoid subclasses and BC risks; in particular, a higher intake of β-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin was associated with reduced BC risks. After subgroup analysis with estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) status, there was similar trend among ER-/PR- women. We further investigated which foods contribute to the carotenoid intake. A higher intake of radish leaves, kale, and bracken was associated with lowered BC risks. Accordingly, dietary carotenoid, particularly β-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin, appears to be associated with a lower risk of BC among Korean women.

Keywords:

• Dietary carotenoids
• breast cancer risks
• Korean case-control study
• hormone receptor status
• foods for carotenoid intake

Authors’ contribution

SHP, SYJ, and JK designed research; SHP, SP, and JHL conducted research; SHP, JHL, and SP analysed data; SHP, YHK, and JK wrote paper. JK had primary responsibility for final content. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea [grant numbers 2021R1I1A1A01048330, 2021R1A6A1A03044501]; National Cancer Centre of Korea [grant number NCC-2310380].