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Reducing Total Fat Intake May Have Small Effect on Risk of Breast Cancer, No Effect on Risk of Colorectal Cancer, Heart Disease, or Stroke

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Brief Description:
The latest clinical trial results from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Women's Health Initiative show that while a low fat diet can possibly reduce the incidence of breast cancer for healthy postmenopausal women, the diet seems to have no effect on the risk of colorectal cancer, heart disease or stroke.

Transcript:
Akinso:The latest clinical trial results from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Women's Health Initiative show that while a low fat diet can possibly reduce the incidence of breast cancer for healthy postmenopausal women, the diet seems to have no effect on the risk of colorectal cancer, heart disease or stroke. The trial, known as the WHI Dietary Modification Trial, was designed to evaluate the effects of a low fat diet on cancer. However, researchers of the study also evaluated the data to review the effect on cardiovascular disease. Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, Director of NHLBI discusses the findings of the trial during a recent teleconference.

Nabel: The results of the Dietary Modification Trial of more than 48,000 women in the Women's Health Initiative show that healthy postmenopausal women who followed an eating pattern that is low in total fat did not significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer, heart disease or stroke, and did not reduce the risk for colorectal cancer. Although women who reduce their total fat intake had a 9 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who made no dietary changes, this 9 percent difference was not statistically significant and could be due to chance.

Akinso: The study's data indicated that women who started with the highest fat intake and who had greater changes in fat intake, show stronger evidence for reduction in their risk of breast cancer according to Dr. Leslie Ford from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Nabel says the results of the study do not change the established recommendations on disease prevention.

Nabel: Women should continue to get regular screenings for breast and colorectal cancers. They should work with their doctors to reduce their risk for heart disease, including following a diet that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol-the so-called "bad" fats.

Akinso: This is Wally Akinso at the National Institutes of Health Bethesda, Maryland.

This page was last reviewed on June 27, 2006 .

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