Fat and cholesterol shown to increase prostate cancer risk and progression of prostate cancer.

Thomas Jefferson University researchers have shown that a 'Western-type' diet, high in fat and cholesterolA type of lipid, cholesterol is part of a group of molecules called steroids. Cholesterol is essential for the structure and function of our cellular membranes. Testosterone and estrogen are other steroids that are very similar to cholesterol in structure. , can increase the risk of prostate cancer and accelerate cancer growth and progression.  The TRAMP mice used are pre-disposed to getting prostate cancer but the mice fed a fat/cholesterol rich diet developed cancer more quickly and the tumors grew and progressed at an accelerated rate.