A secondary analysis of a large, multicenter clinical trial has shown that a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 31 percent in a subgroup of early-stage breast cancer survivors who were not experiencing hot flashes. Absence of hot flashes is associated with higher levels of estrogen, the reduction of which is a major breast cancer treatment strategy. The study team included researchers from UC Davis and six other institutions. Ellen B. Gold, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences and first author of the study, said the results suggest that a major change in diet may help improve cancer survival and recurrence rates among women who don't have hot flashes.