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Dietary Carotenoid, Retinol, and Ascorbic Acid Intake and its Association with Breast Density in Young Women

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death. A number of studies have investigated antioxidants and other dietary factors in their role in reducing breast cancer risk. In particular, much focus has been on the potential protective properties of carotenoids, retinol, and ascorbic acid, though findings are inconsistent. This study examined the intake of these nutrients in association with breast density, a known strong risk factor for developing breast malignancies. Data from a cohort of young women (mean age 27), who participated in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children – 2006 Follow‐Up Study (N = 172), were analyzed. Carotenoid, retinol, and ascorbic acid intake was assessed using multiple 24‐hour dietary recall data. Measures of absolute and percent dense breast volume were obtained using magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariable mixed effects models assessed the relationship between carotenoid, retinol, and ascorbic acid intake and breast density measures. All models accounted for race, smoking status, education, parity, duration of sex hormone use, childhood body mass index z‐score, percent body fat, and total energy intake. After adjustment, women in the highest quartile of total carotenoid consumption had an average percent dense breast volume of 15.8 %, compared to 20.3 % among those in the lowest quartile (p‐value < 0.01). A comparable trend was found for ascorbic acid, where women with the highest intake had a percent dense volume of 18.1 %, compared to 23.9 % in the lowest intake group (p‐value < 0.001). Similarly, greater retinol consumption was associated with decreased absolute breast dense volume (trend p‐value < 0.05). Findings from this study suggest that greater intakes of carotenoids, retinol, and ascorbic acid are associated with lower breast density in young women. Whether this may confer a lower risk for developing breast cancer requires further exploration.