Preliminary results from a study funded by the National Cancer Institute suggests that breast cancer patients who followed up treatment with a very low-fat diet had a 24 percent lower rate of new cancer than patients with a healthy, but higher fat diet.  This finding was reported in an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune May 16, 2005.

The article notes that researchers have suspected there might be a connection between high fat diets and cancer, but this study is  thought to be the first to establish a clear link.

If this finding holds up (we are in the middle of a 10 year study), we believe there are some important practical implications:

• The study offers yet another reason to restrict the level of fat in a diet, which is a lifestyle choice.      

• Cancer survivors should consult with their physicians before going on a high fat diet like Atkins.  The study emphasizes that this is especially important for women with non-estrogen sensitive cancers.      

• In very general terms, nutritional choices directly—and obviously—affect health in many ways, including acute as well as chronic diseases.

To summarize the findings, the study of 2,437 women shows that cancer returned in only 10 percent of those whose diet included just 33 grams of fat per day, but 12 percent of those who ate 51 grams of fat per day.  The effect was greater among women who had cancer that was not affected by estrogen—they experienced a 42 percent lower rate of recurrence while on the very low-fat diet.  This latter finding was very important because women with non-estrogen sensitive cancers have fewer therapeutic options.

The article notes that achieving the very low-fat diet as a healthy lifestyle is not easy to do.  Study participants found that it was possible to control fat intake, at least at home.  It was more difficult in social situations such as going to a restaurant where they learned to inquire about how foods were prepared and to avoid certain kinds of foods, such as rich sauces.

All of the study participants were helped by the advice of nutritionists about cooking and eating.  One point made specifically was about the importance of portion control.

This research does not address the total components of the Healthy Lifestyle as taught by the Hilton Head Health Institute, including fitness and the mind-body connection.  But it is a welcome piece of evidence that a Healthy Lifestyle can make a big difference.

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