USA: Sugar-Sweetened Soda and Breast Cancer Mortality

Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened soda is associated with increased mortality risk in women with breast cancer, finds a recent study. The results, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, support existing guidelines on reducing the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, including women with breast cancer diagnosis.

Several studies have reported an association between SSB intake and increased mortality risk in various populations. However, SSB impact on mortality in breast cancer patients is not known. Considering this, Nadia Koyratty, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, and colleagues aimed to assess the relationship between sugar-sweetened soda and both all-cause and breast cancer mortality among women with incident, invasive.

The participants were recruited from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study. Breast cancer cases were followed for a median of 18.7 years, with ascertainment of vital status via the National Death Index (NDI).

Using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) filled by the participants, the researchers determined the frequency of sugar-sweetened soda consumption.

Key Findings of the Study

• Of the 927 breast cancer cases, 386 (54.7%) had died by the end of follow-up.
• Compared to never/rarely sugar-sweetened soda drinkers, consumption at ≥ 5 times per week was associated with increased risk of both total (HR=1.62) and breast cancer mortality (HR=1.85).
• Risk of mortality was similarly increased among ER-positive, but not ER-negative patients, among women with BMI above the median, but not below the median; and among pre-, but not post-menopausal women for total mortality only.

"Reported higher frequency of sugar-sweetened soda intake was associated with increased risks of total and breast cancer mortality among breast cancer patients," wrote the authors.

"These results support existing guidelines on reducing consumption of SSB, including for women with a diagnosis of breast cancer," they concluded.

Reference

The study titled, "Sugar-Sweetened Soda Consumption and Total and Breast Cancer Mortality: The Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study," is published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

DOI: https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/03/02/1055-9965.EPI-20-1242