CHAPTER 13: Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Developmental Origins of Breast Cancer

Accumulating epidemiological and experimental evidence indicate that breast cancer has an origin in early life. During the in utero stage, the mammary gland undergoes extensive modeling and remodeling that involves intense cell proliferation and differentiation. At this critical developmental stage, the mammary gland displays high plasticity and is especially prone to environment-induced disturbances. Maternal exposure to hormones, toxicants, and inadequate diet during gestation has been shown to alter mammary gland development in the fetus and increase breast cancer risk in adulthood. Alterations at the level of epigenetic control of gene expression and in stem cell number and function have been proposed as potential mechanisms underlying maternal breast cancer programming. More recently, the impact of paternal diet during preconception on female offspring breast cancer risk was shown. Because breast cancer is a major global public health problem, innovative preventive strategies are urgently needed. A life-course approach represents a promising option, where preventive measures are adopted throughout a woman’s life. In this case, attention should be directed towards windows of susceptibility to breast cancer starting already in early life. Improving maternal diet and metabolic health during key developmental stages, including preconception, gestation and lactation, represents a focal point in preventing breast cancer. In addition, preconception from a male perspective should also be integrated in a life-course approach model to breast cancer prevention.