Cancer
Oleic acid in olive oil protects against breast cancer
By Foodconsumer
Jan 9, 2005 - 8:25:00 PM

Mediterranean diet, which is full of fruits, vegetables, and olive oil, is known to promote health. It is a fact that women who use a Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of breast cancer.

A recent study suggested that it is the oleic acid in olive oil, an important food in the Mediterranean diet, that is responsible for the anticancer effect.

In a laboratory study, researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago found that oleic acid suppresses the activities of a common cancer-causing oncogene called HER-2/neu.

Her-2/neu is found in 30 percent of breast cancer patients. Patients with HER-2/Neu oncogene often suffer from an aggressive form of breast cancer. These patients have a poor prognosis.

In the U.S., 14 percent women or 1 in 7 women will get breast cancer in their life time. Life style, environmental pollutants, medical radiation, and genetics all may contribute to the development of breast cancer.

The study was published in a recent issue of the journal Annals of Oncology.

Comment: Oleic acid is also found in other oils. For instance, some varieties of sunflower oil can be full of oleic acid. But why haven't we seen any anticancer effect in such oils?