The purpose of this review is to examine the literature to determine what epidemiologic and
experimental evidence exists that either supports or denies a role for iron in the etiology of breast
cancer, paying particular attention to the dietary heme iron source of red meat. The importance of red
meat as a dietary source of iron and the relationship between iron and oxidant stress are introduced.
Epidemiologic and experimental studies of the relationship between iron and breast cancer are
reviewed. Extant studies involving phase II detoxication gene interactions with red meat consumption
and breast cancer or iron-related gene polymorphisms and breast cancer are also reviewed. In
conclusion, a model by which red meat may impact breast cancer involving the delivery of dietary iron
is proposed and discussed.
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Diet, Epidemiology, Food, Gene Polymorphism, Glutathione, Heme,
Iron, Meat, Menopause, Nutrition, Phase I Enzyme, Phase II Enzyme, Progesterone Receptor, Red Meat.
