Eating white bread and pasta can increase risk of breast cancer.

Eating plenty of cereal, bread and potatoes may boost the risk of breast cancer recurring in survivors, say scientists.

A study found that former sufferers who followed a starch-rich diet were more likely to develop tumours compared to those who reduced their intake.

Researchers are unable to explain the trend but it is believed that increased insulin levels, sparked by refined carbohydrates, could stimulate the growth of cancerous cells.

A team from University of California, San Diego, studied the diets of 2,651 breast cancer survivors over 12 months.

They found that carbohydrates in general - especially starches - were linked to the risk of new tumours developing.

The rate of recurrence was 14.2 per cent among women who increased their starch intake while it was 9.7 per cent for those who decreased their consumption.

Lead researcher Jennifer Emond said: 'The results show that it's not just overall carbohydrates, but particularly starch. 

'Women who increased their starch intake over one year were at a much likelier risk for recurring', reported "MailOnline".

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK affecting about 46,000 women every year.