A Prospective Analysis of Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Risk in 2 Provinces in Canada

Background Studies suggest that fatty acid status influences breast cancer etiology, yet the roles of individual fatty acids in breast cancer risk are unclear, specifically when central adiposity and menopausal status are considered. Objectives This study examined the associations of fatty acid status with breast cancer risk including location, menopausal status, and waist-to-hip ratio as key variables. Methods Prediagnostic plasma phospholipid fatty acids were measured in women with breast cancer (n = 393) and age-matched controls (n = 786) from a nested case-control prospective study within Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP) and British Columbia Generations Project (BCGP) cohorts. Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of fatty acids and breast cancer risk with subgroup analysis for menopausal status and waist-to-hip ratio. Results Women from BCGP had a higher n–3 (ɷ-3) fatty acid status compared with the ATP (6.4% ± 0.08% vs. 5.3% ± 0.06%; P