ABSTRACT
Although evidence is increasing about the influence of dietary fat on breast cancer risk, little information exists about the effects of dietary fat on the human breast. In this study the effect of dietary fat reduction on mammographic dysplasia [Nodular or sheet-like areas of radiological density] was elicited. Women with mammographic dysplasia were randomely allocated to a control group, with the advice of maintaining a balanced diet [38% of calories as fat], or an intervention group, in which they were taught to reduce dietary fat to a target of 15% of calories. A total of 54 patients participated in this study. Nearly 25% of both the intervention group and the control group failed to provide data after 1 year and dropped out of the study. Food records and chemical analysis of duplicate meals, and serum cholesterol measurements were assessed for the rest. Comparison of mammograms before and after one year of dietary fat reduction showed significant influence on the extent and density of mammographic dysplasia. Surgical biopsies performed at the end of the study showed six cancers in the control group and one in the intervention group which constitute four times the number expected. This study confirms the relationship between dietary fat, mammographic dysplasia and the potential risk of breast cancer