Breast cancer and dietary fat quality indices in Iranian women: A case–control study

BACKGROUND: The association between breast cancer (BC) and different indices of dietary fats has not been well-studied. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between BC and dietary fat quality (DFQ) indices in Iranian women. METHODS: This case–control study was conducted on 120 women with breast cancer and 240 healthy women in Tehran, Iran. Food Frequency Questionnaire and nutritionist IV software were used to assess the intake of dietary fats and to calculate the DFQ indices. RESULTS: The patients with BC had a higher total fat (TF) (P < 0.01) and a lower ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) omega-3 to PUFAs omega-6 (ω-3/ω-6) compared with the controls (P < 0.001). TF had a significant association with BC risk (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01–1.33, P < 0.001). No significant association was found between BC and PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratio or the ω-3/ω-6 ratio. CONCLUSION: The patients with BC had a lower ω-3/ω-6 ratio and a higher total dietary fat intake than the healthy women. Total dietary fat intake was also directly associated with the risk of BC. Thus, low-fat diets may have beneficial effects for BC prevention. Further longitudinal studies are warranted.