Food‑Derived Probiotics and Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, and Practical Considerations (۲۰۲۰–۲۰۲۵)

Background: Evidence linking food‑derived probiotics to supportive care in breast cancer has grown quickly. We reviewed recent mechanisms (immune, barrier, estrogen metabolism) and human data.Methods: Narrative search of ۲۰۲۰–۲۰۲۵ literature on probiotics/fermented foods and BC outcomes.Results: Early trials suggest benefits for GI tolerance, weight/metabolic control, lymphedema volume, and quality‑of‑life during therapy. Mechanistic work highlights SCFAs, bile‑salt hydrolase and microbial crosstalk with apoptotic pathways.Conclusions: Probiotics and fermented foods are promising adjuncts for BC supportive care. Larger, standardized RCTs with safety surveillance are needed.Keywords: breast cancer; probiotics; fermented foods; Lactobacillus; Bifidobacterium; microbiome; estrobolome; chemotherapy; synbiotics; postbioticsBackground: Evidence linking food‑derived probiotics to supportive care in breast cancer has grown quickly. We reviewed recent mechanisms (immune, barrier, estrogen metabolism) and human data.Methods: Narrative search of ۲۰۲۰–۲۰۲۵ literature on probiotics/fermented foods and BC outcomes.Results: Early trials suggest benefits for GI tolerance, weight/metabolic control, lymphedema volume, and quality‑of‑life during therapy. Mechanistic work highlights SCFAs, bile‑salt hydrolase and microbial crosstalk with apoptotic pathways.Conclusions: Probiotics and fermented foods are promising adjuncts for BC supportive care. Larger, standardized RCTs with safety surveillance are needed. Keywords: breast cancer; probiotics; fermented foods; Lactobacillus; Bifidobacterium; microbiome; estrobolome; chemotherapy; synbiotics; postbiotics