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. 2022 Dec 14;14(24):5312. doi: 10.3390/nu14245312

Table 3.

Main characteristics and results (for the whole study group or stratified by menopausal status when available) of randomized controlled studies that investigated the effect of dietary intervention on mammographic breast density.

Author, Year Study Country (and Name) Study Population Dietary Assessment Dietary Intervention Summary of Results (a)
Masala et al., 2019 [27] DAMA, Italy Post-menopausal, high MBD (n = 234, mean age 58.6 y, SD 5.6) FFQ filled at baseline and study end (24 months after the enrolment) Diet based on plant food, low glycemic load, low in saturated- and trans-fats and alcohol, rich in antioxidants; duration 2 years. MBD ratio 0.91 (0.86–0.97) for intervention vs. control, p-value 0.003
Dorgan et al., 2010 [29] DISC (Dietary Intervention Study in Children), USA Prepubertal girls (intervention arm: n = 118, mean age 9.2 y, SD 0.6 at randomization and 27.3 y, SD 1.0 at MBD assessment; control arm: n = 112, mean age 9.2 y, SD 0.6 at randomization and 27.2 y, SD 1.1, at MBD assessment) Three 24 h dietary recalls. Diet low in total and saturated fat and cholesterol intake and rich in dietary fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains). MBD 19.7% (17.0–22.7) for intervention vs. 18.3% (15.9–21.0) for control, p-value 0.51
Martin et al., 2008 [31] Canada Pre-menopausal, high MBD (intervention arm: n = 93, mean age 48.7 y, SD 3.2; control arm: n = 96, mean age 48.6 y, SD 2.8), who became post-menopausal prior to 2 y post randomization. Dietary records and dietary interviews:
  • -

    First year: monthly in intervention group, every 4 month in control group

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    Second year: every 3 months in intervention group, every 6 months in control group

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    Subsequent years: twice a year in intervention group, once a year in control group

 Isocaloric low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (15% of calories from fat, 20% from protein, 65% from carbohydrates); duration 2 years. Change in MBD: −3.8% (intervention) vs. −6.2% (control), p-value 0.06
Pre-menopausal, high MBD (intervention arm: n = 124, mean age 48.7 y, SD 3.2; control arm: n = 272, mean age 48.6 y, SD 2.8), who became post-menopausal at least 2 y post randomization. Change in MBD: −11.3% (intervention) vs. −11.1% (control), p-value 0.84
Boyd et al., 1997 [30] Pre-menopausal, high MBD (n = 817, mean age 46.8 y, SD NA) Dietary records and dietary interviews:
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    First year: monthly in intervention group, every 4 months in control group

  • -

    Second year: every 3 months in both groups

 Change in MBD: −0.21% (−0.95 to 0.52) for intervention vs. control, p-value 0.57

(a) Most adjusted results and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were reported whenever available. FFQ, food-frequency questionnaire; MBD, mammographic breast density; NA, not available; SD, standard deviation.