Posted on August 20, 2007 in Latest News
The effect of obesity on breast cancer is shown recently by study conducted to find out the relationship between weight loss and breast cancer. More than 2,000 women from five countries participated in this study. All participants had BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. The women with breast cancer were compared with those of similar backgrounds without the disease. The women filled out questionnaires about their weight at ages 18, 30 and 40. Some of the women reported fairly stable weight over the years. Others reported losing or gaining more than 10 pounds. The finding focuses on BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which greatly raise breast cancer risk.
Avoid Breast Cancer by Avoiding Obesity
- Women with a mutation in the gene BRCA1, which predisposes them to breast cancer, are found 65% less likely to develop the disease if they lose weight between 18 and 30 years of age.
- Young women with this genetic predisposition should also avoid weight gain in early adulthood, especially if they have plans to have children.
- For women who have a mutation in BRCA1, 10 pounds weight loss is associated with a 65% reduction in cancer risk between the ages 30 and 40.
- BRCA1 mutation carriers who gained 10 pounds or more between 18 and 30 years of age are 44% more at the risk of developing breast cancer if they have two children or more.
- No association between weight loss and breast cancer risk was found in BRCA2 mutation carriers.
- Weight loss in early adult life (age 18 to 30) protects against early onset of BRCA-associated breast cancers.
- Breast cancer risk was 65% lower in women with the BRCA1 gene mutation who lost 10 pounds between ages 18 and 30, compared with those who didn’t lose or gain more than 10 pounds. So, 10 pounds of weight loss in early adulthood may help women with certain gene mutations avoid getting breast cancer at an early age.
- Breast cancer risk was 44% higher in women with the BRCA1 gene mutation who had two full-term pregnancies and gained more than 10 pounds between ages 8 and 30, compared with women with relatively stable weight.
- Weight changes from age 30-40 didn’t affect the risk of getting breast cancer before or after menopause.
- Women with breast cancer who are overweight or gain weight after diagnosis are found to be at greater risk for breast cancer recurrence and death compared with lighter women.
Obesity is also associated with hormonal profiles that are likely to stimulate growth of breast cancer. Recently, use of weight loss algorithms was proven successful in other clinical settings that incorporate dietary therapy, physical activity and ongoing behavior therapy. Definitive weight loss intervention trials in breast cancer patients remain to be conducted. The current research findings relating increased body weight to adverse breast cancer outcome and the documented favorable effects of weight loss on clinical outcome in other co morbid conditions support consideration of programs for weight loss in breast cancer patients.
Because obesity can increase the risk of breast cancer, it is important for all women to maintain control over their weight, especially during menopause.
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