Can Olive Oil Help Reduce Breast Cancer Risk?

As we recognise Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's crucial to understand the importance of prevention strategies.

With an estimated 1 in 8 women likely to develop breast cancer during their lifetime, research is continually seeking ways to reduce this risk. One of the most promising findings points toward the Mediterranean diet, particularly its rich use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).

The Mediterranean Diet and Breast Cancer

Research has consistently shown that a plant-heavy Mediterranean diet with olive oil as its principal source of fat may have a protective effect in the development of chronic diseases, including breast cancer.

While many associate this diet with moderate wine consumption, it's important to understand that even small amounts of alcohol can increase breast cancer risk by 7-10%. What stands out instead is the potential benefit of regular olive oil - in particular , extra virgin olive oil intake.

Studies suggest that EVOO's bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, triterpenes, and monounsaturated fatty acids, may offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects.

Key Studies on Olive Oil and Breast Cancer

• PREDIMED Study (2015): This landmark study followed 4,152 women over nearly five years. It found that those who followed a Mediterranean diet enriched with EVOO had significantly lower breast cancer rates compared to those on a low-fat diet. Women in the EVOO group saw a breast cancer incidence of 1.1 per 1000 person-years, compared to 2.9 in the control group.
• Meta-analyses and Population Studies: Multiple studies from 1995 to 2019 have found that women who consume higher amounts of olive oil have a lower breast cancer risk. This includes a 2010 meta-analysis that confirmed the association between olive oil intake and reduced risk for both breast cancer and other cancers.

How Olive Oil Fights Cancer

The protective effects of EVOO can be traced to its high phenolic content, which includes compounds like oleocanthal. These phenols have been shown to:

• Inhibit tumour growth: Oleocanthal has been linked to reduced proliferation of cancer cells and lower tumour volume.
• Prevent metastasis: Animal studies suggest oleocanthal can prevent the migration of cancer cells, thus inhibiting cancer spread.
• Enhance treatment: Oleocanthal may also improve the effectiveness of hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen, which is often used in hormone-related breast cancer treatments.

Everyday Application

While these studies are promising, further research is needed to fully understand how EVOO contributes to cancer prevention and treatment. However, adopting a Mediterranean diet with high-quality EVOO, like The Governor's High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, is a great step toward reducing cancer risk and supporting overall health.

Beyond diet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—limiting alcohol, no smoking, staying physically active, and avoiding processed foods and sugars—can also play a role in lowering breast cancer risk. For those looking to improve their well-being, incorporating high-phenolic EVOO into your daily routine is both a headful and flavourful choice.

Discover More

For more details on the science behind olive oil and its health benefits, explore the studies and research the Governor EVOO has participated in, available here on the Governor's website.

More Resources:

• Key Statistics for Breast Cancer
• Lifestyle-related Breast Cancer Risk Factors
• Mediterranean Diet and Invasive Breast Cancer Risk Among Women
• Consumption of Olive Oil and Specific Food Groups in Relation to Breast Cancer Risk in Greece
• Olive oil and cancer risk: an update of epidemiological findings through 2010
• Total polyphenol intake and breast cancer risk in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort
• Do Olive and Fish Oils of the Mediterranean Diet Have a Role in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy?
• Oleocanthal inhibits proliferation and migration by modulating Ca2+ entry through TRPC6 in breast cancer cells
• Oleocanthal Prevents Breast Cancer Locoregional Recurrence After Primary Tumor Surgical Excision and Neoadjuvant Targeted Therapy in Orthotopic Nude Mouse Models
• The olive oil phenolic (-)-oleocanthal modulates estrogen receptor expression in luminal breast cancer in vitro and in vivo and synergizes with tamoxifen treatment

Thank you for helping us contribute to the fight against cancer.