Fats may Lead to Breast Cancer

Recent research has shown that if someone consumes a low amount of healthier mono- and polyunsaturated fats and high amounts of saturated fats, might have denser breasts 15 years later.

Plus, it means that if you have a greater breast density, you are more vulnerable to breast cancer. However, there were no significant changes in breast density volume due to a diet based on fat. According to Joanne Dorgan, senior author of the study and professor of epidemiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, the difference in breast density turned out to be modest.

Because the study can’t reveal the causes and consequences, scientists believe that it’s the variety of fats that might play a different role in breast tissue maintenance and formation. Furthermore, teen years are the most critical period for breast development.

After the data from the Dietary Intervention Study in Children has been reviewed by Dorgan and her team, they learned that this clinical trial started in 1988, was sponsored by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and enrolled more than 600 children between ages of 8 and 10. Plus, over 300 of them were girls.

During the study, the participants have repeatedly reported details regarding their diets. In the next step of the research, scientists used MRI scans to measure breast density in 177 females between 25 and 29 years old.

These scans have revealed that lower intakes of healthy fats and higher intakes of unhealthy fats were related with an increased risk of denser breasts. Organizations and experts such as the AHA (American Heart Association) stated that 5 percent saturated fat should be included in a healthy diet.

Pork, lamb, beef, poultry with skin, cheese, cream, butter and 2 percent of dairy products are the origin of saturated fats. Monounsaturated fats and Polyunsaturated fats are found in walnuts, olives, avocados, fatty fish and liquid vegetable oils.

Women who consumed during adolescence the most saturated fats got around 13 percent of total calories from these fats. Moreover, they had a 21.5 percent of average breast density. On the other hand, women who consumed the least saturated fat got around 8 percent of total calories from it and had a lower breast density of 16.4 percent.

Nevertheless, it would be best for women to have healthier diets, with 5 percent saturated fat, as mentioned before, to prevent any future health issues.

Image Source:Pexels