Women with breast cancer who follow a low-fat diet are 22% more likely to survive at least 10 years, when compared to women who consume a more normal higher fat diet, according to researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
This new study follows on from a study conducted by the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative), which had found that postmenopausal women eating a low fat diet were less likely to get more aggressive forms of breast cancer. That trial followed 48,835 women for an average of 8.5 years, and found that women adopting a low fat diet were 8% less likely to develop breast cancer and 19% less likely to die from breast cancer. The results were questionable because the low-fat diet wasn't started from diagnosis.
The new study(1) led by Dr. Rowan Chlebowski overcame this and found that women who stuck to the low-fat diet increased their chance of survival from breast cancer by 22% compared to women who remained on a diet higher in fat (a third or more of daily calories from fat). The women on a low-fat diet also reduced their risk of dying from other cancers by 24%, as well as from other conditions like heart disease.
Chris Woollams, former Oxford University Biochemist and Author of the best selling book The Rainbow Diet, said, "We have reviewed study after study on the effects of high-fat diets, especially high saturated fat diets on cancer prevention, cancer aggression and cancer survival. The new research demonstrates that low fat diets are best for preventing and surviving breast cancer and that with the move to a low fat diet patients increase their odds and survive longer. Researchers conclude that this consuming a diet high in organic vegetables, whole grains, fruit, nuts and seeds and legumes. Our article on saturated fat and increased cancer risk, aggression and lowered survival should be read by everyone. We know, for example, that people who have the highest levels of blood lipids - cholesterol and triglycerides develop more metastases and survive least. "
Go to: Saturated fat increases cancer risk, cancer aggression and decreases survival
Reference
1. Chelbowski RT, Aragaki AK, Anderson GL, Association of low-fat dietary pattern with breast cancer; a secondary analysis of the WHI study; JMA Oncology: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28654363/