Invasive breast cancers classified as estrogen receptor negative and progesterone receptor positive (ER-/PR+) are relatively rare, accounting for up to 8% of breast cancers in the U.S. (this subtype is more common in Asia). In ER-/PR+ tumors, the relevant genes cause the cancer cells to express progesterone receptors, but not estrogen receptors. Women with ER-/PR+ breast cancer are more likely to be premenopausal.

Because this subtype is rare, we have not come across many studies that have found an association between the risk of ER-/PR+ breast cancer and consumption of a particular food or food group. Alcohol consumption has been found to increase the risk of this subtype in Chinese women.

Since women with ER-/PR+ breast cancer tend to be younger than the average breast cancer patient, we have prepared a list below of foods that have been shown to be associated with ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women.

Foods that reduce the risk of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women

The following foods have been found to be associated with reduced risk of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women:

Foods that increase the risk of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women

Butter, corn oil and coffee (for some women - see the coffee web page) can increase the risk of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women.

Additional comments

ER-/PR+ breast cancer patients and survivors would benefit from eating a wide variety of the foods on our recommended food list and limit or avoid those on our avoid list, in addition to paying particular attention to the foods listed above.