The fats found in common vegetable oils are linked to aggressive breast cancer — but don't panic

There is now a lot of evidence that shows that diet and the foods we eat can affect the outcome of cancer if we get cancer, God forbid.
Scientists are particularly interested in understanding how this happens, and in studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind these relationships. This understanding will help improve dietary recommendations, understand how cancer forms, and thus seek to prevent it.

Recently, a new study identified a molecular link between linoleic acid — a common type of fat in vegetable oils — and aggressive breast cancer, renewing the debate on the relationship between diet and cancer risk. While the findings are important, they require careful interpretation to avoid causing undue anxiety and to provide useful guidance to the public.

common fatty acid

Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that is found in large amounts in soybean, sunflower and corn oils.
Research conducted at the Weill Cornell Institute of Medicine in New York has shown that linoleic acid can directly activate a growth pathway in triple-negative breast cancer cells — a type of breast cancer known for its severity and lack of treatment options.

Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for about 15% of breast cancer cases in general. Due to the prevalence of breast cancer, this figure represents a large number of patients.
Researchers have found that linoleic acid binds to a protein called FABP5 (fatty acid binding protein 5), which is found in high levels in these cancer cells.

This link stimulates a path mTORC1 — It is a crucial regulator of cell growth and metabolism — contributing to the advancement of tumors in preclinical research, including animal studies. (My current research also focuses on this pathway in different types of normal and cancer cells.)

In the new study, researchers observed that rats that ate a diet rich in linoleic acid developed larger tumors, indicating that eating linoleic acid may worsen the growth of this type of cancer.
The researchers also found that levels FABP5 Linoleic acid was elevated in blood samples of triple-negative breast cancer patients, enhancing the credibility of the biological relationship. Dr. John Blanes, the lead author of the study, said:

“This finding helps clarify the link between dietary fat and cancer, and sheds light on how to identify patients who may benefit most from personalized dietary recommendations.”

These findings are also likely to extend to other types of tumors such as prostate cancer.

It is indispensable — but in moderate amounts

Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, which means we must get it from food. It plays an important role in skin health, the structure of cell membranes, and the regulation of inflammation.
However, modern diets, rich in processed and hyperprocessed foods and vegetable oils, often contain excessive amounts of omega-6 acids, including linoleic acid, while lacking omega-3 acids found in fish, flax seeds, and walnuts.

This imbalance may promote chronic inflammation, which is a known factor in the development of cancer and other diseases.

The study indicates that linoleic acid may directly contribute to cancer growth in certain circumstances. This challenges the results of previous observational studies that did not find a clear relationship between linoleic acid intake and overall breast cancer risk.
For example, a 2023 meta-analysis of more than 350,000 women concluded that taking linoleic acid had no noticeable effect on breast cancer risk in the general population.

This discrepancy highlights the importance for researchers to study specific subtypes of cancer, as well as individual factors such as FABP5 levels in cancer cells.
Another study showed that linoleic acid may be protective against breast cancer, indicating the importance of looking at all evidence in context.

Don't panic

News headlines often simplify complex research findings.
Although this new study reveals a plausible mechanism linking linoleic acid to cancer growth, it does not prove that vegetable oils cause breast cancer — far from it.
Other factors, such as genetics, overall diet, and environment, play key roles.

The results do not call for total abstinence from the use of vegetable oils, but they do indicate the importance of moderation and wise choice, especially in those who are most at risk.
Many oils, such as olive oil, contain lower levels of linoleic acid and higher levels of monounsaturated or saturated fats, making them more stable when cooking at high temperatures.

It is also recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced and healthy diet.

A recent study that analyzed eating patterns over 30 years showed that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy products are linked to progress towards healthy aging.
This study, conducted by Harvard University, followed more than 100,000 people between 1986 and 2016 and found that less than 10% of them achieved what is called “healthy aging” — that is, reaching the age of 70 without any 11 chronic diseases, or any cognitive, physical, or psychological decline.

Organizations such as the World Cancer Research Fund confirm that moderate use of vegetable oils is safe and that obesity, rather than a specific type of fat, is the main dietary driver of cancer risk.

This study therefore confirms the importance of placing dietary fat in the context of cancer research. Although the role of linoleic acid in triple-negative breast cancer is an important discovery, it is part of a much larger picture.
A balanced diet rich in natural whole foods remains a key pillar of cancer prevention and is an approach that can be adopted by all.

‍
Source: theconversation