4 Breast Cancer Nutrition Myths Debunked
Around late 2022, a video went viral on TikTok, claiming that sugar in the cells causes cancer. This claim has no scientific basis, and that is one of the biggest challenges with accessing nutrition information in today’s digital age.
Despite improved accessibility to information at any time, it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate facts from fiction, and acting on wrong, often unverified information has led to fatal consequences for many.
In this article, we will focus on addressing the nutrition myths that have arisen over the years around breast cancer using scientific evidence.
MYTH 1: Sugar feeds breast cancer cells
Every cell in the body needs sugar (glucose) to survive. Glucose is the body’s most preferred source of energy, and it is obtained through foods or produced by the body when supplies are low. In essence, it does not matter if a person eats sugar or cuts it out completely; cancer cells, like any other cells, do not rely on food alone to obtain energy.
So why do people think sugar feeds cancer cells exclusively?
The answer is the Warburg effect. The Warburg effect explains why cancer cells use up energy more aggressively because they obtain their energy through a process known as aerobic glycolysis, which is a highly inefficient approach to energy production. Healthy cells can produce 36 ATP (the unit of measurement for energy used by the body) from a molecule of glucose, while a cancer cell will produce only 2 ATP from the same molecule of glucose. However, excessive consumption of sugar should be avoided; it is known to lead to obesity, which is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer.
MYTH 2: Soybeans and their by-products can cause breast cancer
Soy and soy products contain isoflavones with a similar structure to human estrogen. It has been established that prolonged exposure to estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer. While this idea has fuelled the soy myth for the longest time, researchers have found that the isoflavones in soy, though similar to estrogen, have no link to breast cancer. Soy isoflavones function differently in the body and are present in negligible quantities, insufficient to act as estrogen or cause breast cancer. On the contrary, researchers have found that soy can be part of a healthy diet, as it has been linked to better health outcomes and reduced cancer recurrence.
It is important to note that experts generally warn against high-dose soy supplements. This is because they are in concentrated forms, and they pose concerns due to a lack of information on their long-term safety.
MYTH 3: Dairy products can cause cancer
Dairy products include milk, yoghurt and cheese. Currently, there is no solid evidence linking dairy products with breast cancer. This myth has persisted due to the presence of natural bovine hormones, such as steroids and insulin-like growth factor-1, in dairy products.
These hormones are naturally secreted in cattle as chemical messengers to regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction and milk production. However, natural bovine hormones have been proven to be inactive in humans. Some studies have even suggested that the vitamin D and calcium in dairy products may support bone health during breast cancer treatments, such as hormone-blocking therapy, which can weaken the bones.
MYTH 4: Some special foods or diets can cure breast cancer
There is no natural substance, food or diet currently known to cure breast cancer on its own in humans. While some foods have been investigated for their anti-cancer properties, they cannot and should not be substituted for standard medical procedures. At best, diets can help support healing alongside medical interventions. These foods are also recommended as part of a healthy diet to reduce the risk of breast cancer or prevent recurrence.
Remember, no food or diet can cause or cure breast cancer by itself. Foods can increase or decrease the risk, and above all else, early detection is paramount.
Sources
Sugar Feeds Cancer?: Separating fact from myth. William Cancer Institute https://williamscancerinstitute.com/sugar-feeds-cancer-separating-fact-from-myth/
Liberti, M. V., & Locasale, J. W. (2016). The Warburg Effect: How Does it Benefit Cancer Cells?. Trends in biochemical sciences, 41(3), 211–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2015.12.001
Soy and Breast Cancer: Myths and Misconceptions. American Institute for Cancer Research. https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/soy-and-cancer-myths-and-misconceptions/
Parodi P. W. (2005). Dairy product consumption and the risk of breast cancer. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24(6 Suppl), 556S–68S. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2005.10719504
Does Dairy Increase Breast Cancer Risk? Breast cancer org. https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/dairy
Hasan, M. M., Wasin, S. M., Rahman, M., Azme, E., Mostaq, M. S., Nahid, M. M. H., Mohammad, N., Tanjum, F. A., Haque, M. A., Mahmud, M. A., & Amin, M. N. (2025). Clinically proven natural products against breast cancer, with mechanistic insights. Oncology research, 33(7), 1611–1632. https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2025.062778
How Diet Impacts Breast Cancer Risk and Outcomes. Breast Cancer Research Foundation. https://www.bcrf.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-diet-nutrition/?campaign=840664
Comments