New global study links red meat to rising breast cancer burden

New global study links red meat to rising breast cancer burden

Since breast cancer deaths have been linked to red meat in younger women, particularly in developing countries, research explains why changing what's on your plate can save lives.

In a recent study published in the journalPublic Health LimitsResearchers examined temporal, geographic and sociodemographic trends and risk associations in female breast cancer worldwide. Specifically, the study used more than 30 years of data (1990-2021) from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to quantify the impact of high unprocessed red meat consumption on regional, national and global breast cancer mortality and disability reported life years.

Study results

The study results showed a significant increase in unprocessed model-estimated mortality (from 44,492 in 1990 to 79,956 in 2021, a 79.7% increase) and model-assessed DALYS (from 1,379,721 to 2,407,092, a 74.5% increase). (SDI) Regions that had particularly pronounced impacts, although the patterns were different. For example, age-standardized rates (ASR) of mortality and DALYs decreased in high-SDI regions, while low-middle SDI regions experienced significant increases in these age-standardized rates. Low SDI regions experienced sharp relative increases in these absolute numbers despite lower absolute numbers of deaths and DALys. These findings describe the continued increase in the global burden of breast cancer among adult women (25 to 45 years of age), highlighting the burdens of healthcare inequalities and Western dietary patterns, and emphasizing the need for targeted health and nutrition interventions to reduce breast cancer in the future.

background

Global meat consumption has increased at unprecedented rates, nearly doubling since 1961, with developing countries (e.g. China) showing the highest increases. Unfortunately, a growing body of literature suggests that high red meat consumption (RMC) has an adverse impact on human health, particularly the incidence and progression of cancer.

As a result, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified unprocessed red meat as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A Carcinogen, 2015). Unfortunately, studies explicitly examining the associations between RMC and subsequent cancer risk have produced inconsistent and confusing results, sparking a global debate about the safety of RMC. Notably, a comprehensive analysis of the burden of breast cancer in adult women attributable to high unprocessed red meat consumption, the most recent GBD 2021 data, and examination of time trends across different SDI levels were included in this study.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of female morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 670,000 deaths in 2022 alone. While public health interventions in developed countries have gradually curbed mortality rates, predictive models suggest that the global overall burden of breast cancer will worsen in the coming years, highlighting the need for improved medical understanding of (particularly modifiable) stakeholders on disease risk.

Effects of red meat consumption on DALYS and deaths in regions and SDI values.(A)The proportion of breast cancer DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) is attributed to diets high in red meat in different global regions.(B)Proportion of breast cancer deaths attributable to diets high in red meat in different global regions.(C)Proportion of breast cancer deaths attributed to high red meat diets at different sociodemographic index (SDI) levels.(D)Proportion of breast cancer deaths attributable to diets high in red meat at different sociodemographic index (SDI) levels.

About the study

The present study aims to estimate the impact of high unprocessed RMC on breast cancer-associated female deaths, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), disability-adjusted life years (DALYS), and age-standardized Daly rates (ASDR) at regional, national, and global scales. The goal is to educate women, clinicians and public health officials about behavioral and dietary modifications (actionable strategies) that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer, ultimately leading to a safer and healthier tomorrow. The study methodology and analyzes adhere to the guidelines for accurate and transparent reporting guidelines (transparent health estimates).

Study data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, a comprehensive database that combines records from 204 countries between 1990 and 2021 and tracks the burden of disease over time. Specifically, researchers extracted data on gender (female), age (25-45 years), region, sociodemographic index (SDI), exposure (high raw RMC defined as >23 grams/day), and outcomes (deaths and Dalys; they used these to calculate ASMR, DALYS, and ASDR. In the GBD framework, DALys are calculated as the sum of years of life lost (Yll) and years of disability (YLD).

Statistical models (linear regressions) were used to assess temporal trends in raw RMC-associated breast cancer metrics via an estimated significant percentage change (EAPC). To ensure robustness, generalizability, and reproducibility of results, all models were adjusted for potential confounders (e.g., stratified by age), SDI (low, prominent, intermediate, high middle, and high), and regions (using hierarchical cluster analysis). were expressed in per 100,000 people.

Study results

The study results showed a sharp increase in the global RMC-associated breast cancer burden between 1990 and 2021. Breast cancer-related model-related mortality increased from 44,492 to 79,956 (an increase of 79.7%), while the model tax increased from 1,379,721 to 2,407,092.

However, the EAPC analyzes highlighted that trends in age-standardized rates (ASR) varied significantly across SDIs and regions. It is important to distinguish between changes in absolute numbers and changes in these age-standardized rates. High SDI regions showed a reduction in ASMR (an EAPC of -1.47%) and ASDRs (an EAPC of -1.48%). In contrast, low-SDI, low-Middle regions experienced significant increases in these age-standardized rates (EAPC for ASMR: 1.39%; ASDR: 1.42%). Highly manufactured SDI regions also showed a significant increase in the absolute number of deaths and DALYs, although their age-standardized rates (EAPC) decreased. Low SDI regions experienced sharp relative increases in these absolute numbers despite lower absolute numbers of deaths and DALys. The study also reported a nonlinear, “S”-Fish association between overall ASMR/ASDR and SDI at regional and national levels, with exposure typically peaking in moderate SDI regions.

At the country level, China showed a sharp increase in the absolute number of breast cancer deaths attributable to high unprocessed red meat consumption, from the GBD 2021 study reported model protected 44.98 deaths for China in 1990 to modeling 125.86 deaths for China in 2021 (these are absolute model that in China significantly to the eastern. last 30 years. In In terms of absolute number of deaths in 2021, India reported 190 deaths. From an age-standardized Daly rates (ASDR) perspective, smaller island nations such as American Samoa (167.25 per 100,000), Nauru (161.33 per 100,000) and Palau (161.32 per 100,000) showed particularly burdensome burdens of high breast cancer between 1990 and 2021 declines in ASDR.

Age-stratified risk assessment identified women in the 40-44 year cohort as most at risk of mortality and Dalys across all regions and SDIs studied.

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence that quantifies the significant and growing population-level burden of breast cancer attributable to high unprocessed red meat consumption and reinforces its observed association with breast cancer development at a population scale rather than implying direct individual causality. It highlights high-risk populations (SDI and age), regional health disparities, and temporal trends in breast cancer morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for region-specific tailored nutritional interventions to mitigate the projected increase in the burden of the disease. The paper also notes limitations, including data gaps in certain regions and consideration of few behavioral and metabolic risks.

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