Monounsaturated Fat Protects against Breast Cancer?

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Monounsaturated Fat Protects against Breast Cancer?

A Swedish study of 61,471 women aged 40 to 76 examined the association of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with the risk of breast cancer. Dietary assessments were performed and analyzed, and all subjects answered a 67-item food frequency questionnaire.

While no positive association was found between total fat intake and risk of breast cancer, a significant inverse association was seen with monounsaturated fat and a significant positive association was seen with polyunsaturated fat. The relative risk for each 10-gram increment in daily intake of monounsaturated fat was 0.45, whereas the relative risk for a 5-gram increment of polyunsaturated fat intake was 1.69.

The results suggest that following dietary guidelines which emphasize foods with a high mono/polyunsaturated fat ratio (i.e., cooking with olive oil, which has a 5:1 ratio, instead of margarine or vegetable oils, which often have a 1:2 ratio) may help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Research investigations and health policy considerations should take into account the emerging evidence that monounsaturated fat may play a protective role.

Wolk A, Bergstrom R, et al. A prospective study of association of monounsaturated fat and other types of fat with risk of breast cancer. Archives of Internal Medicine, Jan. 12, 1998;158, pp41-45.