Many of us know someone with breast cancer, or someone who died from it. The most common cause of death from cancer among women of all ages in the United States, it is the leading killer of women between 40 and 44. Over the last 50 years the incidence of breast cancer has remained steady.

Experts believe that the cause of breast cancer is largely environmental. A growing body of evidence points to a diet high in fat and low in fiber as an important contributor. Much of the evidence comes from research comparing the incidence rates of breast cancer in certain countries with different dietary habits.

Countries with a high per-capita fat consumption, such as the United States, Denmark, New Zealand and England, have a high mortality rate from breast cancer: 25 per 100,000 women.