Avocado Consumption and Cellular Aging in Breast Cancer Survivors

Launched by INSTITUT INVESTIGACIO SANITARIA PERE VIRGILI · Jul 30, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at whether eating one avocado every day can help slow down biological aging in women who have survived breast cancer. Researchers are especially interested in a part of our cells called telomeres, which tend to get shorter as we age and may be linked to health problems. By seeing if avocados affect telomere length, as well as other health markers like inflammation, heart health, and overall wellbeing, the study hopes to understand if adding avocados to the diet could benefit breast cancer survivors.

Women between 40 and 65 years old who had early or mid-stage breast cancer (stages I to III), finished their treatments at least six months ago, and currently eat fewer than two avocados per week may be able to join. Participants will be randomly assigned to either eat one avocado daily or continue their usual diet with fewer avocados for four months. During the study, they’ll have health checks, blood and urine tests, and answer questions about their diet, activity, and how they’re feeling. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to provide useful information about diet and healthy aging after breast cancer.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in stages I, II or III;
• • 40-65 years old at screening;
• • Cancer treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) completed ≥ 6 months but not more than 5 years at the time of recruitment;
• • Currently consuming less than 2 avocados per week;
• • Signed the informed consent letter.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Metastasis;
• • Ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma in situ;
• • Breast cancer recurrence;
• • Cancer diagnosis other than breast cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer;
• • Body mass index ≥40kg/m2;
• • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy in the following 6 months;
• • Allergy to latex;
• • Unwilling to consume avocado;
• • Immunodeficiency or HIV-positive status;
• • Alcohol abuse (\>50g/day);
• • Use of plant sterols, mineral supplements, use of fibre supplements, fish oil, or antioxidants;
• • Currently participating in any other randomized controlled trial;
• • Difficulty or impossibility of an adequate follow-up;
• • Inability or unwillingness to give written informed consent or to communicate with study personnel, or illiteracy;
• • Patients with an acute infection or inflammation (e.g., pneumonia) will be allowed to participate in the study 3 months after recovery.