The hypothesis that a high fat diet promotes the development of postmenopausal breast cancer is supported by case-controls studies that show a strong correlation between fat intake and breast cancer rates. On the other hand, high fat intake is not correlated with breast cancer in cohort studies. In view of these conflicting findings, it has been difficult to propose nutritional recommendations for the prevention of breast cancer. Animal studies and recent observations in humans have shown that a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulates several stages in the development of mammary cancer. Some evidences show that fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids seem to prevent cancer by influencing the activity of enzymes and proteins related to cell proliferation. Thus, epidemiological studies that integrate the interactions of specific fatty acids with hormone catabolism, protective nutritional factors and risk factors associated with breast cancer are needed. In this article we will discuss protective factors, risk factors and qualitative and quantitative implications of dietary fatty acids in breast cancer.
fatty acids; diet; fat intake; lipids; breast neoplasms