How Your Weight Affects Your Risk of Breast Cancer

By Stacy SimonManaging weight is a challenge for most people in the US. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70% of American adults are overweight.This puts them at higher risk for serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. For women, being overweight or obese after menopause increases the risk of breast cancer.The female hormone estrogen can help breast cancer grow. After menopause, most of your estrogen comes from fat tissue. Having more fat tissue can increase your chance of getting breast cancer by raising estrogen levels. Also, women who are overweight tend to have higher levels of insulin, another hormone. Higher insulin levels have also been linked to some cancers, including breast cancer.RESOURCES: Breast cancer information and resourcesLearn more about breast cancerBreast cancer risk factorsNutritional and physical activity for cancer preventionGet active But the connection between weight and breast cancer risk is complicated. Studies suggest the risk appears to be increased for women who gained weight as an adult but may not be increased among those who have been overweight since childhood. For example, the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II found that women who gained 60 or more pounds after age 18 had double the risk of being diagnosed with post-menopausal breast cancer compared to women who maintained their weight over the same time period.And even though i...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast Cancer Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news