Breast cancer and diet in Spain.

Breast cancer is the foremost cause of cancer death in women. A possible relationship has been suggested between breast cancer and cholesterol-rich diets, although no clear link has been established till now. This is an epidemiological study of the evolution of breast cancer mortality in Spain during the period 1977 to 1985, and it was made in relation to the principal dietary components of this country. The study period involved has made it necessary to take into account the corresponding changes in demographic structure; thus, standardization or specific fitting permitted comparisons. Global energy consumption in Spain is under 150 kcal per person per day for 50% of the population, and less than 180 kcal per person per day for 98% (range: 140 to 162) during the study period involved. Low correlation values were observed in relating mean breast cancer mortality rates for the 50 Spanish provinces to the dietary components studied. However, the most significant correlations relate mean mortality rate to total lipids, fiber, cereals, and Vitamin C intake.