07/15/2025
A new policy adopted by the AMA recommends a plant based diet amongst other lifestyle activities in the prevention of breast cancer.
In June 2025, the American Medical Association (AMA) introduced a new policy focused on reducing breast cancer risk through lifestyle modifications, emphasizing proactive prevention strategies to empower women and address health disparities. This policy, highlighted by Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, in a discussion with Contemporary OB/GYN, encourages clinicians to educate patients on four key strategies: adopting a plant-based diet, engaging in regular physical activity, minimizing or eliminating alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy body weight. These recommendations stem from growing evidence that lifestyle factors significantly influence breast cancer risk and outcomes, offering women practical steps to take control of their health.
The AMA’s guidelines underscore the power of nutrition, particularly the benefits of a plant-based diet. Such diets, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, support weight management, which is critical since excess body weight is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Notably, the guidelines clarify that soy products, once thought to increase risk, can reduce breast cancer risk by up to 30%. Conversely, cow’s milk, which contains estradiol—a hormone linked to higher cancer risk—should be replaced with alternatives like soy milk for a simple yet impactful dietary shift. Regular exercise is another cornerstone, as it helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces cancer risk, while also improving outcomes for those already diagnosed.
A significant focus of the AMA’s policy is reducing alcohol consumption, a well-established risk factor not only for breast cancer but also for other cancers. The guidelines advocate for minimizing or eliminating alcohol to lower risk, addressing a gap in public awareness—only 28% of women in a 2024 survey recognized diet and lifestyle as cancer risk factors, with many prioritizing screening over prevention. To overcome barriers like time constraints and reimbursement issues that limit physicians’ ability to provide in-depth counseling, the AMA suggests referring patients to registered dietitians for tailored guidance.
The policy also tackles racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. While Black women are 5% less likely to develop breast cancer than white women, they face a 38% higher mortality risk, often due to diagnoses at younger ages and with more aggressive cancers. The AMA’s emphasis on lifestyle interventions aims to complement screening efforts, such as mammograms starting at age 40, to improve early detection and treatment outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups. By aligning with initiatives like the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s “Let’s Beat Breast Cancer” campaign, the AMA seeks to raise awareness and empower women to adopt these preventive measures, fostering long-term health and reducing the burden of breast cancer across diverse populations.
