Diet Rich in Fat Increase Breast Cancer Risk, Mice Study Finds

Teenagers gorging on a diet rich in fat are at risk of breast cancer, a latest study states.

Researchers at Michigan State University found that changes during puberty could modify genetic signature in some breast cells similar to basal-like cancers.

"This is very significant because even though the cancers arise from random mutations, the gene signature indicating a basal-like breast cancer shows the overarching and potent influence this type of diet has in the breast," said Sandra Haslam, physiology professor in MSU's College of Human Medicine and one of the lead investigators of the project.

The researchers conducted tests on female mice. They were kept on fat-rich diet and the control group were given food with low fat content. Four weeks later, the researchers examined their genetic signature. They found that breast cells of the mice in the high-fat food group were modified.

"It's important to note that since our experimental model did not involve any weight gain from the high-fat diet, these findings are relevant to a much broader segment of the population than just those who are overweight," said Richard Schwartz, microbiology professor and associate dean in the College of Natural Science. "This shows the culprit is the fat itself rather than weight gain."

He furthers said that more research is needed to know the possible links between high-fat diet and cancers in women. He also advised that women should have balanced diet to stay healthy and fit.

The study was published in the journal Breast Cancer Research.