A Vegan Diet for Women with Breast Cancer in Long Island 

Julia Bisbee

1. Introduction

If you are a resident of Long Island, it is not uncommon at all to hear that one of your loved ones has been diagnosed with BC. In fact, the Maurer Foundation for Breast Cancer discovered that both Suffolk and Nassau County had a diagnosis rate that was nearly 13-18% higher than the average for New York State. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found that BC was the second leading type of cancer to kill New York women in 2016, following Lung Cancer. 

Luckily, many achievements in the field of medicine have increased the rate of survival for BC patients, for example, chemotherapy (National Cancer Institute, n.d.). 

However, Dr. Ellen Warner (2012), a medical oncologist and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, states that although the rate of BC survivors is increasing, the rate at which women are diagnosed continues to rise. This provokes the idea that there is not much importance placed on the word, “prevention”, but instead on the word, “cure”.

The China Study is a great example of how prevention can often be more powerful than modern medical treatments, as it supports the ideas of Dr. Ellen Warner as well. For this reason, The China Study will be the main focus of my research inquiry. 

The China Study was conducted by biochemist, doctor and author, T. Colin Campbell (and his son, Thomas M. Campbell II)(Campbell nd Campbell, 2005, p.149). The goal of this paper is to analyze the gap between the diets of Long Island women versus Chinese women, and how the diets may correlate to the prominence of BC. So, my research question for this paper is, “How Can a Vegan Diet Prevent and Reduce the Rate of Breast Cancer in Long Island Women?”

2. Literature Review

The purpose of this paper is to expose the diet that Long Islanders continue to consume and compare it to that of a vegan diet, for the impetus of curing and preventing BC. 

However, in order to do that, it is first necessary to discuss how Long Island conceived an almost 20 percent increase in BC diagnoses compared to the rest of New York.

In an article published by Brittany Arnett of Georgetown University, 31 of the, “Best Foods to Eat on Long Island” are listed. This list includes everything ranging from rainbow milkshakes from Diner By the Sea in Long Beach, to Lobster Mac n’ Cheese from Waterzooi in Garden City. 

The list continues on with foods that sound delicious and especially pleasing to the eye, but ironically continue to deteriorate the health of Long Islanders. These foods will be mentioned in this section; however, how they affect the growth rate of BC will be discussed in findings, using the China Study. 

To first understand the effects, it is necessary to understand the factors that have prohibited BC to thrive. The first factor is industry, as it creates a societal norm for the population exposed to it, which can eventually lead to confusion about what a patient should consume– versus what is harmful. 

3.1 Industry

Industry plays a big role in this horrific gap that lies between diet and disease. Unfortunately, the modern day meat, dairy, egg and fish industries continue to depict very misleading advertisements to the public. One example of an advertisement that has increased milk consumption can be seen in Figure 1. 

In the photo, professional tennis players Serena (right) and Venus (left) Williams are shown. This is not the first time an industry has used athletes to lure in the public to purchase their products. Consumers in Long Island have been so conditioned to certain foods being healthy, that change is even harder to implement into society (NBC News, 2015). 

Next, we will go over the most common animal-based “health” foods, and distinguish whether they are physically nutritious. 

3.2 Milk

For background understanding purposes, the definition of milk is, “a fluid secreted by the mammary glands of females for the nourishment of their young” by the Merriam Webster Dictionary. This is the first definition under the word “milk” (used as a noun) in the dictionary. 

The United States in general has been exposed to misleading propaganda from the beginning of the formation of these industries. This conditioned belief that milk is “good for the health” of human beings and “a great source of calcium”, however; can be disproved.

For example, cow’s milk contains an abundance of casein, which is the main protein source of the milk. Of course, protein is necessary in the body, but compared to human milk, the casein content in cow’s milk is more than double. Keep this in mind as casein will be discussed further into the paper.

Similarly, cheese has the highest percentage of casein content when compared to all other dairy products, with a high 80%.

Along with this, dairy altogether is the number one source of saturated fat. The flesh of animals (or meat) is also in the same boat as dairy products.

3.3 Meat and Fish

Similar to dairy products, meat has become a commodity worldwide, and especially in Long Island. And the worst of this is that red meat in particular is considered a group 2A carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), and processed meat is considered a group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as cigarettes. 

Fish, although thought of as better, is not much different from meat. In fact, the Consumer Reports, which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the benefits and risks of certain foods for consumers, discussed that the benefits of eating fish include omega 3 fatty acids and a good source of protein. 

However, they also concluded that almost all fish have mercury traces of some form, and most have a high metal content (which can be extremely harmful to the nervous system of humans). 

In addition, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition confirmed this stating that, “nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury”. 

3.4 Eggs

The Skillet Omelet from Thomas’s Ham N’ Eggery Diner in Carle Place, Long Island, is one example of the ways that eggs are consumed in Long Island (Arnett, 2016). Considered to be just as big of a commodity as meat products, eggs are rich in protein with about 6 grams per large egg, and a good source of the nutrients (vitamin D and choline, specifically). 

However, the main problem with eggs is the fact that they are high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Similarly, studies have shown that eating eggs has a similar effect on the building of carotid plaque as cigarettes. So, the big question occurs, “Is it worth it for BC patients?”

This question will be rediscussed in the findings section. Before this, the methodology is needed to understand how the study itself was conducted, and why I am utilizing meta-analysis.

3. Methodology

The methodology of the China Study will be accessed first, and then the methodology of my research will be accessed second.

The China Study is considered an “ecological or correlation study design,” as described by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the director of the study. He also explains that 65 countries in 24 different provinces located in rural China were chosen to conduct research. This range is much broader than any normal study, as the average utilizes about 10 to 20 countries. Each of these countries contributed 100 adults, which gave Campbell 650 adults total. Half of these adults were female and the other half male and all individuals were within the age range of 35-64 years. Campbell also explains that these areas were chosen specifically because they all had similar rates of mortality, and causes of mortality (for example, common cancers) (Campbell nd Campbell, 2005, p. 374). 

The ultimate goal of the study was to learn the disparities between lifestyle and disease characteristics (but for the purpose of this paper, we will solely be focusing on BC). 

Campbell finds multiple correlations between the BC growth in women and the type of food consumed. The China Study’s results will be discussed (in depth) in the findings section, but one example of a correlation between food and disease growth is the relationship between dietary fiber and the progression of the tumor(s) (Campbell nd Campbell, 2005, p. 75). 

As much as this is important, it is also important to discuss the methods used to obtain the research provided and how I will add my own research to these materials.

4.1 Meta-analysis

To put it briefly, I will be utilizing meta-analysis to explain the reasoning of why a vegan diet is more efficient at preventing (and reversing) BC in Long Island women, by using women from the China Study to compare and contrast the differences. Additionally, I will be using Dr. Garner to help support my results as well as Dr. Greger.

I chose this method specifically because by utilizing separate sources (instead of adjusting my focus to one particular study), I have the opportunity to overview the results of multiple works and compare them altogether. 

With a topic like BC, this is crucial in order to prevent the biases of just one study. Another benefit of using meta-analysis is the fact that more research provides a stronger argument, helping readers to understand the argument quicker (and hopefully agree with it sooner).

 Similarly, credibility is heightened by the use of multiple works. Lastly, using meta-analysis is completely feasible, as I have access to multiple places to find scholarly sources and it is convenient.

4.2 Feasibility

I would have loved to conduct my own experiment on this matter, however, several issues emerged from this idea. 

The first being that I am a student and I am 18 years old. For this reason, it would be very difficult to conduct a procedure. The second problem would be the fact that I would need a research grant (given by the state of New York) to make sure my research is legitimate and legal. 

And the last issue, probably the most major of the above, is the fact that BC research takes months to obtain, since it is crucial to monitor the malignant tumor growth or shrinkage and health of the patient. 

As you can see, meta-analysis is the most methodical approach, especially since research has previously been conducted on this specific topic. In addition, this topic is being researched solely because of the high instance of BC diagnoses in Long Island women. 

The findings section will explain the results of Campbell’s years of research in China, and link the claims of his research in comparison to mine.

4. Findings

At this point, I will evaluate the ultimate findings of Dr. Campbell and provide reasonings for the statements above. 

However, before uncovering the major findings, I need to show the discrepancies between the average chinese diet versus the westernized diet, for the sake of understanding. In Figure 3, the differences between Chinese and American dietary intakes are provided. This chart was adopted from page 63 of the China Study. It should also be noted that the chart is designed for individuals with an average body weight of 143 pounds (or 63 kilograms).  This method allows researchers like myself to easily compare the differences between two areas (or populations). 

As shown in the chart, China was found to have consumed 652 more calories when compared to the US dietary intakes, while the fat percentage taken in by the US was over double! 

On average, Americans consume about 35-40% of our calories as fat, as shown above. Campbell believes that the reasoning behind this comes from the fact that we began consuming diets rich in fat since the nineteenth century, at the peak of the industrial revolution. 

Obviously since the economy was at a great point, Americans were able to demonstrate their affluence and money by consuming increased amounts of meat and dairy products (Campbell and Campbell, p. 72).

Speaking of dietary fat, the first finding I’d like to discuss will be fat and its relationship to BC. Fat, which is more heavily found in animal-based products, also contains the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which will be the first subsection of the Findings, and the main focus.

5.1 The Correlation Between Estrogen and Progesterone with BC Risk

To cut to the chase, “exposure to excess amounts of female hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, increases breast cancer risk”, states Campbell. To elaborate, women who consume an increased amount of animal products are also found to reach puberty earlier, and menopause later- which technically extends their reproductive lives. 

Statistically, the data from the China Study had found that a lifetime exposure to estrogen is at least 2.5-3.0 times higher among Western women in comparison to rural Chinese women. Campbell also states, “Increased levels of estrogen and related hormones result from consuming typical Western diets, high in fat and animal protein and low in dietary fiber.” 

This first finding is extraordinary because diet plays a significant role in the overall exposure of estrogen on a woman. It also reinforces Warner’s idea that prevention should be favored over reaction, since breast cancer is preventable when eating foods that have the ability to reduce and balance estrogen levels.

5.2 The Correlation Between Protein & Cancer Growth

Protein, as stated earlier in section 3.2, is a shocking misconception in Long Island. As shown in the chart above, the average American consumes almost 30 more calories of protein a day versus the average Chinese citizen. 

Early in his book, Campbell stated that he had believed that diets high in protein would contribute to a healthier well-being overall. 

However, a study conducted by his research team disproved this. His group conducted the study with 10 groups of rats. He administered the aflatoxin to every group, with the independent variable being the amount of protein (National Cancer Institute, 2018). Some groups were fed 20% casein (milk protein) while others were only fed 5%. The goal was to see if there was a difference in between foci response (otherwise known as cancer cell growth).

In the 20% group, there was a distinct curve of increasing foci response. However, the 5% group had no curve. Even if the 5% group was administered increasing amounts of aflatoxin, there still was no curve. 

This result showed that, “a diet lower in protein could decrease the cancer-causing effect of a very powerful carcinogen, aflatoxin”. Campbell soon found that cancer is promoted through nutrition. 

But, the next experiment conducted was on plant proteins versus aflatoxin, to see if all proteins acted as a “promoter”. So, Campbell conducted this next experiment with Dr. David Schulsinger, which examined which type of proteins were the most harmful. Figure 4 on the right shows the results of this, as casein has the most harmful effect, even when the same amount of wheat protein (otherwise known as gluten) was administered (Campbell and Campbell, 2005, p. 51). 

5.3 The Correlation Between Fiber & Cancer Growth 

To switch the focus, it was found outside of the China Study that inadequate amounts of fiber can lead to an increased chance of developing BC as well.

Dr. Michael Greger (2013), an american physician and public speaker, and founder of Nutritionfacts.org,  stated that women who consume less soluble fiber have an increased chance of being diagnosed with BC.  

Another case-control study, conducted at Yale University (in 2012) supported this claim, finding results indicating that pre-menopausal women who consumed a higher intake of soluble fiber reduced their risk of BC by a significant 62 percent^,. 

This is just one large benefit for patients with BC, as a second study conducted showed that vegans consume the largest amount of soluble fiber in their diet, when compared to vegetarians and omnivores.

In the study, which was conducted in 1985, 51 subjects were gathered in order to measure their intake of soluble fiber over the course of one week. Furthermore, omnivores were found to have consumed an average of 23 grams, vegetarians consumed an average of 37 grams, and astonishingly, vegans had consumed an average of 47 grams, making them the most immune, in a sense, to BC. 

5.3 Genes and BC Risk

One of the main fears for BC patients is if their family has a history with the disease. However, the common misconception with genetics is that there is nothing a woman can do to help herself if she is prone to it. 

It is true that if a woman has a family history of the disease, her chances of being diagnosed increase. But, it was found in the China Study that less than 3 percent of all breast cancers can be attributed to family history! 

The mindset that family history cannot change whether you will be diagnosed is called genetic fatalism. Unfortunately, in the west, genetic fatalism defines the fear of this disease, which is why prevention is never discussed. 

The one form of prevention that Long Islanders are familiar with, however, is BC screening and mammographies (MedlinePlus, 2020). This is a reasonable step, but does not by any means account for the word prevention. All a screening does is check whether there is a cancer prominent (Campbell, 2005). 

5. Conclusion

The works of Campbell, Greger and Warner have all shown that in order to prevent BC, the only thing necessary is a plant-based diet. Although the modern medical community has taken strides with treatments such as chemotherapy and tumor removal surgeries, there has not been effective planning on prevention for this horrible disease. 

A new finding that this paper has shown is that BC can effectively be prevented before becoming dangerous in a patient’s life. In addition, the health of these patients can be improved outside of the BC world, with a plant-based (vegan) diet. 

5.1 Future Research

Although meta-analysis was by far the best method I could have used to compose my paper and gather research, in order to make things clearer, it should be noted that more studies should be done in the Long Island area specifically. 

This will reduce the bias of just a “western diet” or “americanized diet”, and instead provide a more valuable conclusion and a more truthful one for BC patients in Long Island. 

Future research on the topic of pregnant women who thrive on a vegan diet versus an omnivorous diet would also be useful to know. Especially since estrogen and progesterone are two very fundamental female hormones during pregnancy. These findings would be very important in accordance with the rate of BC for these two different patients.

Branching outwards, other future research could focus on the economics of going plant-based, and whether the economy could thrive without factory farming and the usage of animal products. Another lens that could be focused on is also the environment and how the environment could benefit in separate ways if Long Island went plant based. 

In addition, another topic of future research could be researching the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS). I say this because these foundations do not place a lot of importance on the word “prevention” either, and even have recipes for red meat and fish on their pages, which actually increases the growth of cancer. It’s a very unsettling issue that should definitely be exposed for the sake of BC patients.

5.2 Limitations

The first limitation of my research is the fact that Campbell conducted research on American patients from around the country, while my research is solely based in Long Island. This research gap creates a gap in location, which could skew my results. 

The reason I used the China Study was because there was no study like it that had shown any results (especially not in Long Island). This would make for a great future research experiment (see the following section). The China Study is unique, since no one else well-known has conducted research regarding diet and BC rates. 

In addition, the book was published in 2005, so nutrition statistics could be a bit outdated, however, Dr. Greger’s sources have been only from the last few years, so this almost evens the playing field. 

Although the statistics may be old, much still stands true with Campbells research. If you are reading this, I urge you to try to go plant based for yourself and your own well-being. As you can see, only positive things can sprout from it!

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