Saturday June 8, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A medical report in Current Opinion in Pharmacology suggests that abnormal levels of plasma or serum cholesterol contributes to the development of breast cancer.

Cholesterol or the bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein cholesterol or LDL cholesterol) has already been known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In the report, C. Danilo and P. G. Frank of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA presents a variety of evidence that suggests cholesterol is a risk factor involved in the development of breast cancer.

Epidemiological studies have linked abnormal plasma levels of cholesterol to breast cancer, the authors say.  Laboratory studies have indicated cholesterol regulates proliferation, migration and signaling pathways in breast cancer.  And in animal models, plasma cholesterol has been found to regulate tumor growth.

What can women do to reduce the risk of breast cancer from cholesterol then?  There are two things women can do to prevent breast cancer induced or promoted by cholesterol, reducing intake of foods that promote the production of cholesterol and increasing intake of dietary nutrients that prevent or reduce the production.

Statins are known to be effective in lowering cholesterol.  However, they are not free of side effects such as muscle pain and increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, gallstone disease, and stroke.   

On the other hand, some foods or dietary supplements including red yeast rice, plant sterols and fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids have been found effective in lowering plasma cholesterol.

Also, women need to watch what they eat.  For instance, trans fat, which is implicated in more than 100,000 cardiovascular deaths each year in the U.S.,  is known to increase bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.

Breast cancer in many cases can be prevented.   Even if you carry defective genes like BRCA genes that increase your risk for breast cancer, you can use something to slow or inhibit the growth of the cancer.  Two most  important risk factors women need by all means to avoid are medical radiation and hormone replacement therapy, according to an  authoritative organization. (reporting by David Liu PHD)