According to a study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, breast cancer rates may be lower than the risk of breast cancer in women

A new cancer study made headlines this week as researchers discovered that a low-fat diet helped reduce the risk of breast cancer deaths. The results of this large, long-term study could have results that will change the lives of millions of women.

Tali Lando, a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer five years ago when she was 37 years old.

"The reality for me has changed," she told CBS News. "I'm still here today, so that's the good news."

Tali Lando

CBS News

After an operation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Lando completely changed his diet. New data shows that the impact of this decision is real. Women on a low-fat balanced diet had a 21% lower risk of breast cancer deaths and 15% fewer deaths, regardless of background, compared to women who did not follow a low-fat diet. fat, according to the American Society of America. Clinical oncology.

"You need to reduce your fat intake if you want to actively positively affect your survival from this disease." It's almost like an authorization to give a prescription to see a nutritionist and change your diet, "said the Dr. Manasseh, head of breast department. surgery at the Maimonides Medical Center.

The 20-year study followed 48,835 postmenopausal women who did not have breast cancer when they enrolled. One group adopted a low-fat diet with daily servings of fruits, vegetables and cereals and reduced fat consumption to about 25% of total calories. The control group continued its normal diet, with fats accounting for about one third of total calories, 32%, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

"These are really not difficult things to do, I think the difficulty is in the availability of these items in the house or at home," said Dr. Manasseh.

"You can not change your genetics or the reality of the tumor that's been diagnosed, but you can only control some things, and it's a big … diet," Lando said.

The study suggests that dietary changes do not have to be drastic to have a lasting impact.