> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Trans fat linked to elevated breast cancer risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/trans_fat_linked_to_elevated_breast_cancer_risk_0726150423/
- Published: 2015-07-26T17:22:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:13:31.000Z
- Description: A 2007 American Journal of Epidemiology study of 19,934 French women followed for seven years found those in the highest quintile of circulating trans-monounsaturated fatty acids were 75% more likely to develop breast cancer; cis-monounsaturated fats showed no such link.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Chemical, Food Safety, #vivvo-import

Sunday July 26, 2015 (foodconsumer.org) -- A report published in 2007 in American Journal of Epidemiology but not widely publicized in the news media suggests that eating trans fat may increase risk for breast cancer. Trans fat has already been linked to 100,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease. And the Food and Drug Administration has recently decided to ban use of trans fat in processed food in three years.

The study led by Dr. Véronique Chajès of Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France and colleagues found women in the highest quintile of circulating trans-monounsaturated fatty acids like palmitoleic acid and elaidic acid were 75% more likely to develop breast cancer, compared to those in the lowest quintile. In contrast, cis-Monounsaturated fatty acids in the blood were not correlated with risk of breast cancer.

The study was based on data from the French component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (the E3N Study) in which 19,934 women were followed for seven years during which 363 cases of incident invasive breast cancer were recorded. Dietary habits were surveyed and blood samples were collected at baseline.

[Another early study published in ](http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/6/9/705.short?ref=foodconsumer.org)[*Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev*](http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/6/9/705.short?ref=foodconsumer.org)[ found adipose tran fat storage was linked to risk of breast cancer in European postmenopausal women.](http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/6/9/705.short?ref=foodconsumer.org) The study suggests that intake of trans fat was associated with increased risk for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is expected to be diagnosed in 230,000 Americans each year and about 37,000 American men and women are expected to die from the disease and its complications, according to the National Cancer Institute. An authoritative organization suggests that two major causes for the disease are medical radiation and hormone replacement therapy while other risk factors may also contribute to the risk of breast cancer.

Trans fat has been linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus in previous studies. Trans fat, also known as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, is commonly used in processed foods and restaurant-prepared meals. Humans are not able to well handle trans fat which can increase LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol. Trans fat is also found in products derived from cows. Food consumers should know another fact about trans fat: Trans fat can be formed when a natural vegetable oil is heated. (David Liu)

Véronique Chajès, Anne C. M. Thiébaut, Maxime Rotival, Estelle Gauthier, Virginie Maillard, Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault, Virginie Joulin, Gilbert M. Lenoir1 and Françoise Clavel-Chapelon, Association between Serum trans-Monounsaturated Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Risk in the E3N-EPIC Study, Americna Journal of Epidemiology, 2007