Home → Lower Your Risk → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Risk Factors → August 2005: Environmental Issues and Breast Cancer → Reasons for lower cancer risk in Japan?

Reasons for lower cancer risk in Japan?

Page last modified on: October 2, 2008

Question from Geri41: They say Japan has a lower risk of cancer but their air quality is not good. Do you think it is their diet?: Answers —Devra Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H.: I've actually studied the environment in Japan. They have 4 to 5 times less breast cancer, less prostate cancer, and even less brain cancer. But the trends in Japan are also increasing, especially in women in the city, when it comes to breast cancer. There are big dietary differences, and there are also big differences in exercise. People in Japan walk a lot more than we do. They also eat diets that contain a lot more vegetables and soy products, and they do not eat as much saturated fat and animal fat. In addition, until very recently in Japan, women could not even get birth control pills [so they were not exposed to estrogen from that type of medication].

There are lots of things that could explain the differences. In fact, the Japanese, if anything, have better air quality than we do, in part because they can't afford to drive. The toll roads from Tokyo to Kyoto, a trip of about 2 hours, literally costs about $90 for a car. So it's a very different world in terms of some of the pollution patterns they have.; Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: They also have a higher incidence of other types of cancer.; Sue Heffelfinger, M.D., Ph.D.: Yes, because they use more salted food with nitrites so there is a higher incidence of stomach cancer.; Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: Back to that “no free lunch” idea.

On Wednesday, August 17, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Environmental Issues and Breast Cancer. Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H., Sue Heffelfinger, M.D., Ph.D., and moderator Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about which environmental hazards may increase your risk for breast cancer and how you can reduce them in the home and workplace.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Visit our Gift Shop!

Shop Now »

Meet the Experts

Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D., MPH Devra Lee-Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H. directs the Environmental Oncology Center at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Sue Heffelfinger, M.D., Ph.D. is director of an NIH Center for Breast Cancer and the Environment at the University of Cincinnati and also associate professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine.

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.