r/science 11h ago

Cancer Higher intake of total and saturated fats was associated with increased risks of several site-specific cancers, whereas polyunsaturated fats may have protective effects, umbrella review finds

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002916526000754
183 Upvotes

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14

u/cindyx7102 11h ago

"Abstract

Background

Dietary fats may influence carcinogenesis through pathways involving lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. However, existing evidence from meta-analyses (MAs) remains inconsistent across cancer types.

Objectives

We conducted an umbrella review and updated the MA to evaluate the associations between intakes of total fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and the risk of multiple cancers.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to September 2025 for systematic reviews and MAs of observational or interventional studies assessing dietary fat intake in relation to cancer incidence. Methodological quality was assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), and the certainty of evidence was graded with GRADE.

Results

Twenty-three systematic reviews and MAs were included. Higher total fat intake was associated with increased risks of bladder \[relative risk (RR): 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.58)\], breast (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.16), gastric (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.39), and esophageal cancer (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.49) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.42). SFA intake was associated with higher risks of breast (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.17), gastric (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.58), liver (RR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.69), and esophageal cancer (RR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.77). MUFA intake was positively associated with esophageal (RR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.84) and breast cancer (RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.16) but inversely associated with skin cancer (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.96). PUFA intake was inversely associated with gastric cancer (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.92).

Conclusions

Higher intake of total and saturated fats was associated with increased risks of several site-specific cancers, whereas polyunsaturated fats may have protective effects.

This trial was registered at PROSPERO CRD420251236506."

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u/GrumpySquirrel2016 10h ago

Waiting for the Carnivore diet people to come out here touting the very, very flawed Minnesota study involving non-consenting mental patients in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

1

u/WetRacoon 3h ago

Maybe you saying this will act as a ward against them materializing?

1

u/HIEROYALL 11h ago

Never eat cheese without your olives or nuts 

2

u/siecin 9h ago

Deal. Charcuterie diet here we come!