A decade of discovery has increased our knowledge of mushrooms and the role played in maintaining good health. In the area of breast cancer prevention, there are four published studies in particular that have served to encourage further research into the potential benefits of mushroom consumption.

A 2006 study, reported in Cancer Research, was the first to discover some of the potential for mushrooms in relation to breast cancer. The research team found extracts from mushrooms and were able to suppress aromatase activity and oestrogen biosynthesis. The exciting thing about this is that oestrogen plays a major role in both the development and proliferation of breast cancer, so suppressing this activity has the potential to reduce the risk. The lead author, Prof. Chen stated that consuming just 100g of white button mushrooms offered the beneficial effect found in the study.

This research was then followed by a Korean study examining the dietary intake of mushrooms and breast cancer risk among Korean women. The study published in the International Journal of Cancer in February 2008, evaluated the consumption of mushrooms in a total of 363 women, matched against control subjects. After adjusting for issues such as education, family history of breast cancer, regular exercise, the number of children and smoking or alcohol use, the study found positive health benefits came through the consumption of mushrooms. The study concluded "...the consumption of dietary mushrooms may decrease breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women."

The findings of this study were further reinforced in October 2009, with an Australian study published in the International Journal of Cancer again finding a strong association between mushroom consumption and a decreased risk of breast cancer. Researchers in this study completed diet and lifestyle interviews with 1009 Chinese women with breast cancer and 1009 matched control subjects. What they found was that women eating 10g or more of mushrooms each day had a 66% reduced risk of breast cancer, compared to those having no mushrooms. The effect resulting from the consumption of mushrooms, most commonly white button mushrooms, was seen in both pre-and postmenopausal women.

This exciting finding was again further confirmed in another Korean study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer. This study, conducted by the Republic of Korea National Cancer Centre, compared 358 women with breast cancer to a control group of 360 cancer free women, finding that those eating the most mushrooms had the least risk of breast cancer. While the protective effect of mushrooms was highest in the premenopausal women, a trend which showed protection for postmenopausal women was also noted.

While larger population studies are required, it is discoveries such as these that continue to excite cancer researchers throughout the world. For example, a study published in Experimental Biology & Medicine highlights research that is investigating the potential for certain mushroom compounds in lowering cancer risk. There is evidence that polysaccharides in mushrooms may activate immune cells to attack cancer cells.

An emerging body of science is also discovering the benefits of vitamin D. Research findings suggest that higher levels of vitamin D may help to protect against breast cancer and other cancers, including lung, colon and colorectal cancers.

Mushrooms are a source of vitamin D and industry has discovered a way to mimic nature to further boost the level of this important vitamin. The great thing about the vitamin D in mushrooms is that it is easy to absorb and is largely not reduced either by cooking or through refrigeration. This means that mushrooms will become a simple and delicious way for consumers to maintain good health by ensuring adequate levels of vitamin D.

In 2008, an international project critically evaluated the published literature on mushrooms and potential effects on human health. This report was updated in 2010 and the findings have been made publicly available and highlight the overall depth of research in this area. If you are interested in looking further at this report please click here. Specific information from the report relating to the effects on cancer formation is also available from this site.