Another link between diet and cancer

MELBOURNE: Men who eat more saturated fats are at greater risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer than those with a healthier diet, Melbourne scientists have found.

The international study, initiated by experts at Monash and the University of Melbourne, found fatty acids were taken up into prostate cancer cells, increasing tumour growth.

Researchers then blocked the uptake of fatty acid and showed they could slow the cancer’s development. ‘‘There is a strong link between obesity, diet and poor outcomes in men who develop prostate cancer. In particular, those men who consume more saturated fatty acids seem to have more aggressive cancer,’’ Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Associate Prof Renea Taylor said.

‘‘Our whole concept is about giving more appropriate treatment earlier to stop men getting to the late or advanced stage. Blocking fatty acid transport is one way to do this.’’