What Role Weight Plays in Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness so we thought we would share some information about weight and how it relates to breast cancer.

  • Weight gain from early childhood into your 60's has consistently been suspected as a risk factor after menopause.
  • The fat tissue becomes a major source of estrogen in post menopausal women. This estrogen causes certain types of tumors in the breast to grow.
  • Obese women have more fat tissue, making more estrogen compared to thin women.
  • In pre-menopausal women most of the estrogen in the body is produced in the ovaries...weight has little effect on this estrogen; post-menopausal, the source of estrogen is fat which contains an enzyme that makes estrogen.
  • Weight-loss directly lowers hormones linked to breast cancer.
  • Post-menopausal women who reduce their weight moderately through diet and exercise can lower the amount of these hormones circulating in their bodies, decreasing the risk.
  • Women who are heavier post-menopausal, have a 20-60% higher risk. Losing just 10% of their weight can have major health benefits.
  • Dr. Walter Willet (epidemiologist) from Harvard, states women who lose a moderate amount of weight have a 60%lower risk of breast cancer.

Photo Credit: pinterest.com

N
Submitted by New Milford, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next