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Fat Consumption
A diet high in fatty foods has long been suspected of increasing breast
cancer risk. Breast cancer rates vary in different parts of the world, and
the incidence seems to be associated with the amount of fat in the diet.
Even more striking, when women move from a country where the diet is
low in fat to a country where fat consumption is higher, their risk for breast
cancer increases.
As plausible as a link between fat consumption and breast cancer seems,
research to prove it has been inconclusive. One study showed a lower
rate of recurrence in women who consumed less fat, especially those who
had breast cancers negative for the estrogen receptor. Other factors,
however, may have played a role in lowering the risk of recurrence
because the women in this study lost weight and may also have started
eating more fruits and vegetables.
Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, is known to
increase breast cancer risk and recurrence. Fats are high in calories and
eating a lot of fatty foods causes weight gain.
The type of fat in the diet may also have an impact on breast cancer risk.
It is best to limit saturated fats -- found in meat, whole fat dairy products,
and processed foods containing coconut or palm oils. These fats are
thought to play a role in causing heart disease and several types of
cancer, including breast cancer. Some studies have demonstrated a link
between meat consumption and breast cancer.
The better fats to eat are those from plant sources (except for coconut and
palm oils). Extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and avocados are
healthier sources of fat. Even these are high in calories, though, and
should be limited to less than 30% of caloric intake.
The bottom line is that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole
grains and low in fat will help keep you healthy and trim and will minimize
breast cancer risk and recurrence.
cancer risk. Breast cancer rates vary in different parts of the world, and
the incidence seems to be associated with the amount of fat in the diet.
Even more striking, when women move from a country where the diet is
low in fat to a country where fat consumption is higher, their risk for breast
cancer increases.
As plausible as a link between fat consumption and breast cancer seems,
research to prove it has been inconclusive. One study showed a lower
rate of recurrence in women who consumed less fat, especially those who
had breast cancers negative for the estrogen receptor. Other factors,
however, may have played a role in lowering the risk of recurrence
because the women in this study lost weight and may also have started
eating more fruits and vegetables.
Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, is known to
increase breast cancer risk and recurrence. Fats are high in calories and
eating a lot of fatty foods causes weight gain.
The type of fat in the diet may also have an impact on breast cancer risk.
It is best to limit saturated fats -- found in meat, whole fat dairy products,
and processed foods containing coconut or palm oils. These fats are
thought to play a role in causing heart disease and several types of
cancer, including breast cancer. Some studies have demonstrated a link
between meat consumption and breast cancer.
The better fats to eat are those from plant sources (except for coconut and
palm oils). Extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and avocados are
healthier sources of fat. Even these are high in calories, though, and
should be limited to less than 30% of caloric intake.
The bottom line is that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole
grains and low in fat will help keep you healthy and trim and will minimize
breast cancer risk and recurrence.
More Information:
Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer
Society Guide for Informed Choices
C Doyle, LH Kushi, T Byers, KS Courneya, W. Demark-Wahnefried, B Grant, A McTiernan,
CL Rock, C Thompson, T Gansler, DS Andrews
CA: A Cancer journal for Clinicians; November/December 2006
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Dietary Fat Reduction and Breast Cancer Outcome: Interim efficacy Results From the
Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS)
RT Chlebowski et al.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute; December 2006
Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer
Society Guide for Informed Choices
C Doyle, LH Kushi, T Byers, KS Courneya, W. Demark-Wahnefried, B Grant, A McTiernan,
CL Rock, C Thompson, T Gansler, DS Andrews
CA: A Cancer journal for Clinicians; November/December 2006
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Dietary Fat Reduction and Breast Cancer Outcome: Interim efficacy Results From the
Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS)
RT Chlebowski et al.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute; December 2006