What is a healthy lifestyle for breast cancer prevention from the perspective of Iranian and modern medicine? A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers among women, which imposes heavy medical costs. Recurrence, side effects, the lack of a clear preventive plan, and increasing incidence are the other related concerns. This study aimed to review the prevention of breast cancer in Iranian medicine (IM) compared to conventional medicine. Methods: This review study was carried out for the last 21 years (2001-2022) using specific keywords related to breast cancer prevention and then compared to the most famous IM manuscripts. Results: Iranian medicine has special views on preventive plans by introducing the risk factors of diseases. Some known risk factors of breast cancer in IM are constipation, obesity, menses retention, irregular night sleep, low physical exertion, and improper diet. Proven risk factors of breast cancer, including improper lifestyle, western diet, obesity, physical inactivity, delayed childbearing, fewer children, and shorter duration of breastfeeding, are in line with IM evidence. Conclusion: Considering the importance of disease prevention from the perspective of IM, providing the right lifestyle, and introducing the 6 essential principles for health maintenance from the perspective of this medical school may play an important role in preventing breast diseases.

Keywords

• breast neoplasms
• persian medicine
• prevention and control
• risk factors