Researchers have been investigating a potential link between diet and cancer risk, in addition to the known connection between obesity and cancer. A large observational study of older adults in the United States revealed that a low-fat diet was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers. Data from over 98,000 participants in a U.S.-based cancer study showed a 24% lower risk of lung cancer in those with the lowest fat intake, with smokers experiencing a 29% reduced risk. Diets high in saturated fats were found to be associated with a 35% increased risk of lung cancer, and double the risk of small-cell lung cancer. This research was published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging.
The study involved data from The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Survey cohort, recruited between 1993 and 2001. Participants provided information on their diets, activity levels, medical history, and other demographic factors. The researchers found that individuals with the highest quartile for low-fat diets tended to be older, female, more educated, and non-white. They had lower sodium and cholesterol intake and were more physically active, with a lower BMI. Low-fat diets were inversely associated with lung cancer risk in a dose-dependent manner, with higher risks observed for smokers and those with high-fat diets.
The authors of the study highlighted that low-fat diets have been associated with a reduced risk of several cancers, although this was the first study to specifically examine their impact on lung cancer risk. The findings suggest that recommending low-fat diets to smokers could potentially reduce their risk of developing lung cancer, particularly due to the association between saturated fats and increased lung cancer risk. Saturated fatty acids can cause inflammation in the body, which is a key underlying factor in the development of various cancers, including lung cancer. Therefore, reducing fat intake, especially saturated fat, may lower the risk of cancer.
Experts not involved in the study also supported the findings, emphasizing the importance of reducing saturated fat intake to prevent cancer. They pointed out that foods high in saturated fat tend to be pro-inflammatory, while foods low in saturated fat, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, may help prevent cancer. While the study had limitations, including potential flaws in data collection, researchers and healthcare professionals agreed that further research, potentially through randomized controlled trials, would be beneficial to confirm the findings. The study’s focus on the role of fat in the diet on lung cancer risk expanded the understanding of lifestyle factors that can contribute to cancer development beyond smoking.
