Survey: Most Women Not Informed of Diet’s Role in Breast Cancer

Only 19% of women said a healthcare provider had discussed nutrition’s role in breast cancer risk in a new Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult survey.¹

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the nationwide online poll was conducted among a total of 2022 US women.

A new American Medical Association breast cancer prevention policy is a great step toward connecting the communication divide, Kristi Funk, MD, a breast cancer surgeon, explained in a press release about the survey findings.

Adopted in June to educate the public about the benefits of lifestyle changes that may reduce breast cancer risk, including engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a healthy plant-based diet, and limiting alcohol intake, the policy also encourages physicians to regularly discuss with their patients some lifestyle changes that may reduce cancer risk.

Results of the new survey also noted:

• There was a slight decrease in the number of women who are aware of the role diet plays in breast cancer risk—25% in 2025, down from a previous survey result of 28% in 2024
• Eating fruits and vegetables remains the most frequently mentioned dietary habit for reducing breast cancer risk. When asked openly, 24% of women (up from 23%) mention vegetables and 17% (up from 16%) mention fruits as contributing to breast cancer risk reduction. However, far fewer mentioned avoiding processed meats or limiting fats. Notably, only 1% mentioned plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian diets as potential preventive measures, highlighting a continuing gap in awareness
• There was a 4% increase in the percentage of women who correctly identified that high soy consumption reduces breast cancer risk. The notion that soy products are associated with increased risk is a myth that has been widely and mistakenly promoted, according to a 2017 study involving >6000 women with breast cancer. Research findings show that eating soy foods like tofu, tempeh, and soy milk has a protective effect against breast cancer

The Physicians Committee, a national nonprofit health advocacy group of >17,000 doctors, recommends a 4-pronged approach to preventing breast cancer, including eating a whole-food, plant-based diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.

“Disappointingly, the women who said they have discussed nutrition’s role in breast cancer prevention with their healthcare provider were slightly more likely to inaccurately believe that dairy reduces risk—16% in 2025, up from 9% in 2024. This highlights the growing need for clearer messaging from providers,” Stephanie McBurnett, a registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee, explained in the statement. “On a more positive note, the individuals most likely to say beans help reduce risk were those that have discussed nutrition as a potentially preventive measure with their health care provider. That’s an encouraging trend.”

Starting in September, community members and local leaders joined health experts from the Physicians Committee at dozens of events to raise awareness of strategies that can help prevent breast cancer. Several international rallies are also being organized. More information can be found at www.LetsBeatBreastCancer.org.

Reference

1. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. New Survey: Majority of U.S. Women Say Their Health Care Providers Have Not Informed Them of Diet’s Role in Prevention Of Breast Cancer [news release]. August 12, 2025. Accessed August 12, 2025. www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/new-survey-majority-us-women-say-their-health-care-providers-have-not-informed