May lower risk
Extra virgin olive oil
Mediterranean pattern. Fats & nuts.
- Verdict
- May lower riskSome studies point to lower risk, but it isn't confirmed.
- How sure
- Rung 2 · LimitedFew, small or conflicting human studies, or only indirect measures such as blood markers.
- How big
- 68% lower relative risk of breast cancer in one trial, but based on only 35 cases.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Breast
What the evidence shows
In PREDIMED, women on a Mediterranean diet with extra olive oil had 68% lower relative risk of breast cancer, but only 35 cases occurred and the trial was designed for heart disease.
What to do
A good everyday cooking fat; don't count on it for cancer prevention.
Sources
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the breast cancer page.