HHS HealthBeat (June 13, 2007)

High-fat and breast cancer

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ray Sass with HHS HealthBeat.

A diet high in fat may raise more than body weight — it may also raise a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health surveyed middle-aged women with different eating habits. 

They found women who ate high-fat diets were 15 percent more likely to get breast cancer than those eating less fat. And, more accurate measures of diet could show even higher risk increase — to the tune of 30 percent or more.

But Dr. Anne Thiebaut is optimistic.

"Diet, along with body weight, physical activity and alcohol consumption is modifiable.  A change in any of these risk factors may reduce a woman’s risk for breast cancer." (10 seconds)

Smart food choices and exercising are good ways to avoid breast cancer and to stay healthy in general.

The study was in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ray Sass.

Last revised: June, 13 2007