Western diet linked to increased risk of breast cancer
By ANIFriday, January 7, 2011
WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered that elevated fat and cholesterol levels found in a typical American-style diet play an important role in the growth and spread of breast cancer.
Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson examined the role of fat and cholesterol in breast cancer development using a mouse model.
The results showed that mice fed a Western diet and predisposed to develop mammary tumors, can develop larger tumors that are faster growing and metastasize more easily, compared to animals eating a control diet.
The incidence rate of this cancer is five times higher in Western countries than in other developed countries. Moreover, studies have shown an increase in breast cancer incidence in immigrant populations that relocate from a region with low incidence.
“These facts suggest strong environmental influence on breast cancer development,” said Philippe G. Frank, Assistant Professor in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.
The study has been published in the January issue of The American Journal of Pathology. (ANI)
