Harvard Health Content API

Diets high in saturated fat may increase the chance of developing 3 common types of breast cancer, a new study says. The study included more than 337,000 women who answered questions about diet. In the next 11½ years, about 10,000 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers adjusted the numbers to account for other things that can affect breast cancer risk. They found that women whose diets were high in total fat and saturated fat were 30% more likely to develop 2 specific types of breast cancer than women who ate the least fat. These cancers are known as estrogen-receptor (ER) positive and progesterone-receptor (PR) positive. They grow in response to hormones. Women who ate the most saturated fat were also more likely to develop HER2-negative breast cancer. These cancers do not contain the HER2 protein, which promotes cancer growth.

A daily low-dose aspirin may help prevent preeclampsia in women at high risk of this dangerous pregnancy problem, an expert group says. The new advice comes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This independent group provides guidance to doctors and the government on preventive care. Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure, swelling and protein in the urine. It can decrease the blood supply to the fetus and to the mother’s organs. The fetus may grow slowly. Early delivery may be required to prevent stroke in the mother. Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, which produces seizures. Preeclampsia is more likely for women who had high blood pressure or diabetes before pregnancy and for those pregnant with twins or more. For these women and some others, the task force recommends a daily baby aspirin (81 milligrams) starting in the second trimester.