November, 2001

When American women take in calories, 37 percent of those calories are from fat. While there are beneficial fats such as monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids, the fat that American women eat comes most commonly from fast food and fried or baked "convenience foods." Polyunsaturated fats and trans-fatty acids, the two types of fat that are linked to increased risk of breast cancer, all found in common foods such as French fries and commercially produced donuts, cookies and cakes.

In contrast, Asian women, who average only 10 to 20 percent fat in their total calorie intake, are four to seven times less likely than American women to develop breast cancer. Asian women eat a diet high in soy protein, which has cancer-preventing qualities (for more information, consult our article, "Soy: The Bone Builder."

Experts such as Jane E. Brody (bestselling author of The New York Times Book of Women's Health, Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet and Jane Brody's Good Nutrition Book) and Mary Enig, Ph.D. (author of Know Your Fats and co-author of Nourishing Traditions), advise that women may be better off reducing harmful fats and replacing them with fruits, legumes, fiber, and soy protein.

A word of caution: Experts are divided on whether diet can prevent breast cancer, and some doubt the argument that olive oil reduces the risk. But in general, monitoring your intake of processed foods, and leading an active lifestyle, can help you in the fight to prevent cancer. Don't forget to have regular mammograms and perform self-breast exams.

To cut the fat this Thanksgiving, try the Cornbread Orange-Apricot Stuffing in our Recipes section.