Breast cancer risk: Data about the relation with breast cancer risk was provided by 2 cohorts. A significant protective effect was found in one cohort (10),
but no association was found in the other cohort (21).
Breast cancer mortality: No data was found.
Conclusion: Inconsistent associations were found. No evidence was found for an association between allium vegetables and breast cancer.
| Author | Cohort name | Subjects | Years of follow-up | Cases | End point | Consumption of | Relative Risk (RR) | Adjustments |
| 21) van Gils CH. (2005) | The EPIC Study. | 191 583 women between the ages of 25 and 70 years. (7 European countries. Excluding Greece, Norway and France [and 1 center from Sweden]) | 5.4 (1992-98 to 2002) | 2,123 | invasive breast cancer risk | Garlic, onion |
RR = 1.08 (0.89-1.31; P = 0.39) for the highest vs lowest quintile of consumption. Amount specific data (g/d): ≤ 3: RR = 1. > 3-≤ 6: RR = 0.93 (0.79-1.10). > 6-≤ 13: RR = 1.01 (0.85-1.20). > 13-≤ 24: RR = 0.98 (0.82-1.18). > 24: RR = 1.08 (0.89-1.31). | Stratified by center and age. Adjusted for energy intake divided into energy from fat and energy from nonfat sources, alcohol intake, saturated fat intake, height, weight, age at menarche, parity, current oral contraceptive use, current use of hormone therapy, menopausal status, smoking status, physical activity, and education. |
| 21) Olsen A (2003) | The Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort | 23,798 postmenopausal women age 50-64. (Denmark) | 1993-97 to 2000 | 425? | Breast cancer risk | Onion/garlic | No single subgroup of fruits and/or vegetables was strongly associated with the incidence rate of breast cancer in this study (no data shown). | Age, time under study, parity, previous benign breast tumor surgery, education, use of hormone replacement therapy, duration of HRT use, intake of alcohol and BMI. |
| 10) Greenstein J (1996) | The Iowa Women's Health Study | 34,388 postmenopausal women. | 1986-93 | 1,018? | Breast cancer incidence | Allium vegetables (not defined, but including garlic) | RR = 0.79 (0.62-1.00; P = 0.018) for consumption of > 1 servings/week vs nonconsumers. | Major breast cancer risk factors (not defined). |