Saturday June 1, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in European Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests that eating foods high in trans fatty acids can increase the risk for a variety of cancers.

Trans fat has been associated with increased risk of dying from heart disease and type 2 diabetes.  High intake of trans fatty acids has been linked to elevated risk for all cause mortality.

The current study led by J Hu of Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and colleagues conducted the study and found high intake of trans fat was strongly associated with elevated risk for colon cancer, premenopausal breast cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer.

The study was based on data from a survey conducted between 1994 and 1997 in eight Canadian Provinces. 

The study found men and women in the highest quartile of trans fat intake were 38, 60, 42 and 38 percent increased risk for colon cancer, premenopausal breast cancer, prostate cancer and pancreas cancer, respectively compared with those in the lowest quartile of trans fat intake.

High intake of trans fat was also found associated with elevated risk for cancers of the stomach, rectum, lung, ovary, testis, kidney, bladder, brain, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and leukemia although the increases in the risk of these cancers were no statistically significant.

The researchers concluded "Our findings add evidence that high TFA is associated with an increased risk of various cancers. Thus, a diet low in trans fat may play a role in the prevention of several cancers."

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Reporting by David Liu, PHD