Breast Cancer Risk in relation to Dietary Fat along with Some Other Nutrients

To study association of dietary intake of food groups in breast cancer patients and normal subjects. The study was conducted on 148 breast cancer patients and 149 control subjects, randomly selected and distributed among six age groups and three socio- economic statuses.The subjects were selected from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Lahore, during April to August, 2000. Intakes of various nutrients were assessed from information on past 5-8 years by food frequency questionnaire and food composition tables. The data showed that percentage of breast cancer patients was low below the age group of 25 (0.67%) and above the age group of 65 (10.13%). It was significantly higher between the age groups of 55-65 (16.9%) and 25-33 (14.2%). Most of the breast cancer cases were observed between the ages of 35-45 (26.4%) and 45-55 (31.7%) years. Breast cancer patients showed higher percentage in low (43.9%) and middle (39.9%) socio-economic statuses than the high socio-economic status. Results also revealed that dietary energy (kcal/day) was significantly higher in the age groups of 25-35 (1280) and above 65 (1207) of control subjects than breast cancer patients in which the values were 1262 and 1192 kcal/day, respectively. Differences in the intake of dietary proteins and fats among various age groups of breast cancer patients and controls were non-significant. However, intake of carbohydrate (g/day) was significantly more above the age group of 65 in controls (196.83) as compared to breast cancer patients (185.85). While, all other age groups showed non-significant differences. The percentage of intake of butter (40.54%) and fried foods were found to be higher in breast cancer patients than controls (20.3%). Positive correlation was observed between dietary fats and carbohydrate (g/day) in all age groups of breast cancer patients and controls except above 65 years of age group in controls which showed negative correlation between these nutrients. Fats (g/day) and protein also showed positive correlation in all age groups of breast cancer patients and controls. The intakes of nutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) have not been found to contribute to the risk of breast cancer together with family history, breast feeding, contraceptives and menstrual abnormalities.