Dietary Fat and the Risk of Breast Cancer Fact Sheet No. 27

Abstract

Early studies suggested that high dietary fat intake was associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. Other studies have failed to show a clear relationship between fat intake and breast cancer risk. These conflicting reports have left some women feeling frustrated. A closer look at the information available provides us with some idea of how fat in our diet might influence breast cancer risk and why the research results in this area are not in agreement. Also, some recommendations can be made for fat intake that would help promote general health. Although researchers may currently disagree on the role fat plays in the development of breast cancer, they do agree that the results of previous studies indicate that this relationship is worthy of further study.