Obesity, Keto diet linked to higher risk of breast cancer: Study

A new study has found that hyperlipidemia (too many lipids in blood) elevated levels of fats in the blood directly accelerates breast cancer growth, even in the absence of obesity or high blood sugar. Conducted using mouse models of obesity-associated breast cancer, the research highlights lipid metabolism as a key driver of tumor progression and suggests that targeting blood lipids could be a promising therapeutic strategy.

As per the study ‘Hyperlipidemia drives tumor growth in a mouse model of obesity-accelerated breast cancer growth’ published in BMC (BioMed Central), researchers used E0771 and Py230 breast cancer models in immune-competent mice to isolate the effect of systemic lipids. 

They discovered that high circulating lipid levels alone were sufficient to fuel tumor growth, while pharmacologically lowering lipid levels slowed cancer progression in obese mice. Interestingly, weight loss alone such as that achieved through ketogenic diets did not protect against tumor growth if lipid levels remained high.

The findings emphasised that it is not just excess body weight, but elevated fats in the bloodstream that can accelerate cancer development. 

The study concluded that hyperlipidemia acts as a critical driver of breast cancer and calls for integrating lipid-lowering treatments and balanced diets in managing cancer risks, particularly in individuals with obesity or those following high-fat dietary patterns.