"The WHEL study is an innovative nutritional study initiated in 1995 to test the hypothesis that a diet rich in plant based foods is associated with a longer breast cancer event-free interval in breast cancer survivors. Cross cultural comparisons demonstrate a strong association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk." "3000 women will follow either the NCI guidelines (5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day, 20 grams of fiber, and 30% of calories from fat) or an intervention (WHEL) diet in which the goals are approximately twice those of the NCI diet." "Blood and tissue for correlative studies, dietary recalls, physical measurements, and quality of life assessments are obtained throughout the study." "Results: At baseline, dietary index scores for both groups are identical. At 6 months, there is a dramatic increase in the vegetable intake in the WHEL group, which is maintained for over 36 months. This is the first study of its kind to achieve such a significant change in vegetable consumption. Validation of self-reports is reflected in serum levels measured: a 200% increase in circulating alpha carotene, a 75% increase in beta carotene, and a 30% increase in lutein." This study will continue for four more years. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.