Researchers led by Dr. Michelle D. Holmes of Harvard Medical School in Boston studied data on 1,982 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1976 and 1990. The study found a woman's fat intake after her diagnosis did not influence her chances of survival. But, women who ate a diet high in fat before their diagnosis did show a 70 percent greater risk of dying from breast cancer than women who ate low-fat diets prior to be diagnosed. Women who consumed a diet high in protein, however, showed a 35 percent lower risk of dying from their disease. And if the protein was primarily from poultry, the risk was 30 percent lower. Red meat was not considered a good source of protein that could affect breast cancer survival. "Replacing red meat with poultry, dairy and fish products," researchers conclude, "and increasing intake of vegetables may promote survival in women with breast carcinoma." Melanie Polk, a dietitian with the American Institute of Cancer Research says one study's findings are not enough to change dietary recommendations. "I don't think the breast cancer population," Polk tells OnHealth, "should be going out making their diet mostly composed of chicken and fish." Taken from On Health Briefing 9/99 Ann's NOTE: No study is ever definitive in our research. However there are several important points. 1)a high animal fat diet was less helpful for SURVIVAL. 2) women who changed their diet benefited. 3) vegetables were an important part of the diet 4) protein from fish and chicken seemed helpful too. Remember that if you can get organic, free-range chickens, this could be even better. These types are NOT fed antibiotics, hormones and other unnatural additives. Dietary Fat and Breast Cancer Study in Annu Rev. Nutr, 2000 Tumor Angiogenesis, Fatty Acid & EPA/DHA Mouse study in Nutrition & Cancer Fat Consumptin & Bca Bulletin du Cancer,11/01 N-3 & N-6 Fatty Acids: Risk of Bca Int J Cancer, 2/02 Role of Fat & Sterols in Health Asia Pacific J of Clin Nutr, 10/02 Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Wild Plants, Nuts & Seeds Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr, 10/02 Adipose Tissue Fatty Acids as Biomarkers Am J Clin Nutr, 10/02 Trans-Fatty Acids and Colon Cancer Nutr Cancer, 2001 Type of Dietary Fat Matters J Nutr, 1/03 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.