A paper in the Journal of Thoracic Disease by Greek Authors originating at the Alexandra hospital in Athens states that "Based on the most recent data, China exhibits considerably lower incidence and mortality rates for female breast cancer than Europe; more specifically, the age-standardized rate (ASR) per 100,000 was equal to 25.9 in China whereas the respective rates according to GLOBOCAN 2012 were 71.1 for Europe with Greece presenting with more favorable rates (43.9) ((Figure 1A above).
Regarding the lower rates in China, the underlying explanation remains elusive as a host of factors including genetic, environmental, lifestyle and somatometric differences have been acknowledged . As far as the favorable profile of Greece compared to the rest of Europe is concerned, once again the specific explanations remain to be uncovered; nevertheless, genetic differences, adherence to Mediterranean diet, consumption of olive oil, prolonged sun exposure may have contributed."