​Frequent consumption of foods rich in saturated fats may increase the risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

This study examined the consumption of foods rich in saturated fats in relation to the development of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. A group of Chinese researchers conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis on dietary and clinical data obtained from 24 cohort and 28 case-control studies.

The research team observed a positive association between high dietary ingestion of saturated fat-containing foods and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the 28 case-control studies analyzed. In contrast, generous intake of saturated fats was found to have no significant effect on breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women in the 24 cohort studies reviewed. Data from the case-control studies suggest that breast cancer is more likely to occur in postmenopausal women on diets high in saturated fats.