讀後心得

The most common cancer among women in Taiwan is breast cancer, with "triple-negative breast cancer" being particularly difficult to treat. Recently, an associate professor from Stanford University in the United States pointed out in a study that foods containing omega-6 fatty acids may promote the growth of triple-negative breast cancer. The research shows that the levels of FABP5 are higher in these cancer cells, which can enhance the signaling pathways that promote tumor growth. Experts warn that foods high in ω-6 fatty acids in Western diets may increase the risk of tumor development, and it is recommended that women pay attention to their diet and undergo regular breast examinations.

The proportion of women in Taiwan suffering from breast cancer is the highest, especially with "triple-negative breast cancer," which is particularly tricky due to limited treatment options. In recent years, breast cancer has continued to be the main type of cancer occurring among women in Taiwan, especially since the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer is highly challenging. An associate professor at Stanford University in the United States recently shared on social media the latest research published in the journal Science, exploring how dietary fat intake impacts cancer growth, discovering that fat is not only a source of energy but may also serve as "fuel" for cancer cell proliferation.

Triple-negative breast cancer gets its name because it lacks three types of hormonal receptors: estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and HER2. This limitation forces patients to rely solely on chemotherapy, with no options for hormone therapy or targeted treatment, resulting in limited treatment choices. Additionally, this cancer type exhibits a high genetic variability, making patients at greater risk for poor prognosis and high recurrence rates after chemotherapy.

Continuing the discussion about triple-negative breast cancer, the associate professor mentioned recent research findings indicating that the ω-6 linoleic acid in the diet activates the mTORC1 signaling pathway, which is crucial for cell proliferation and growth, particularly in certain breast cancer cells. The research conclusions are as follows:

• FABP5 acts as a guide for lipids, has a high affinity for ω-6 linoleic acid, and affects the activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, promoting tumor cell proliferation.
• Even in the absence of amino acids and growth factors, ω-6 linoleic acid can still drive cell growth, indicating that lipids may be an important signal for cancer progression.
• The study also found that the concentrations of FABP5 and ω-6 linoleic acid were higher in the tumors and serum of patients with triple-negative breast cancer, suggesting that FABP5 could become a biomarker for identifying breast cancer patients particularly sensitive to dietary lipids.
• Moreover, the research revealed that when mice consumed a diet rich in ω-6 linoleic acid, the growth of triple-negative breast cancer tumors accelerated and strengthened the mTORC1 signaling within the tumors, further confirming the direct relationship between dietary fat and cancer growth.

He pointed out that this study challenges previous understandings of "healthy fats," as past epidemiological studies about ω-6 linoleic acid intake and breast cancer risk have not reached clear conclusions. This study provides new evidence showing that triple-negative breast cancer cells can utilize ω-6 linoleic acid more effectively, which may explain why certain types of breast cancer are particularly dependent on high-fat diets.

The professor also noted that the intake of ω-6 linoleic acid in Western diets is generally high, primarily from processed foods and fast food, while the Mediterranean diet and traditional Asian diets emphasize the use of olive oil, fish, and nuts, which may offer a better balance of fats, thereby reducing the impact on tumor growth. Overall, the excessive intake of ω-6 linoleic acid in Western diets calls for vigilance among women to reduce the consumption of fats that may promote tumor growth.

Linoleic acid is an ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid that is essential for the human body and cannot be synthesized by the body, requiring dietary intake, and is commonly found in sunflower oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and certain nuts and meats.