The Link Between Obesity and Breast Cancer

Did you know that being overweight can increase your chances of breast cancer?  When you think about it, obesity isn’t necessarily about discipline and moral facility  Being overweight can be literally built into your genes, with losing weight and keeping it off one of the most difficult things women will ever do.[1]^,[2]

42 percent of women in the US are obese[3], it means nearly half of the women in the US have a body mass index of 30 or higher.

This isn’t about shaming you and your weight. It’s simply about educating you about the impact weight has.  And in this article, it’s about the impact weight has on the risk of breast cancer and, if you are diagnosed with it, treatment and recovery.

Specifically:

• Women who are obese are less likely to get their regular screening mammograms, citing pain and embarrassment as reasons, which could be one reason they are more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage cancers.[4]
• If you find mammograms painful, let the technician know; they might be able to reposition you to find a more comfortable spot.
• Women who are obese are between 31 and 42 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those are “normal” weight.[5]
• Women who are obese are more likely to experience complications from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.4
• Women who are obese are a third more likely to die from breast cancer than those with breast cancer who are not obese; nearly 50 percent more likely if they are postmenopausal.[6]

The link between obesity and breast cancer is thought to be related to the increased inflammation, as well as increased estrogen production, that results from fat deposits.

Of course, obesity is also an independent risk factor for numerous other diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.3

Losing weight is really tough, particularly trying it on your own. So you might want to partner with a nutritional expert or join a weight loss group. At the same time, start with small changes, all of which add up to big changes. And forget about diets. They are restrictive and rarely effective in the long-term. Changing how you eat is something you can follow for the rest of your life.[7]

For instance:

• Eliminate sugary drinks – but not all at once. If you drink a big glass of orange juice every morning, drink less or cut it with sparkling water. If you drink sugary sodas, drink one less a day until you get to zero.
• Eat real food. Load up your plate with vegetables (and no, fried veggies are not on the menu) and lean protein like fish, chicken, tofu.
• Pick the healthiest carbs. Instead of regular pasta, try a high-fiber pasta like one made with chickpeas. Choose sweet potatoes over regular potatoes.
• Read the labels. You’d be amazed at what has added sugar in it these days. Bread. Spaghetti sauce. Ketchup.
• Increase the protein and decrease the simple carbs. Instead of toast or cereal for breakfast, try a couple of hard-boiled eggs; or a turkey and cheese wrap in a whole grain tortilla.
• It doesn’t have to be a lot, but exercise, particularly weight-bearing exercise, helps build muscle. This, in turn, improves how your body reacts to carbohydrates, reducing blood sugar spikes that can lead to fat storage.[8]

Reduce your weight and reduce your risk of breast cancer.

[1] https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/03/harvard-obesity-expert-says-blame-shame-make-problem-worse/.

[2] NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative Expert Panel on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Obesity in Adults (US). Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report. Bethesda (MD): National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; 1998 Sep. Summary of Evidence-Based Recommendations. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2009/

[3] Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm.

[4] Lee, K., Kruper, L., Dieli-Conwright, C.M. et al. The Impact of Obesity on Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Oncol Rep 21, 41 (2019).

[5] Kerlikowske K, Walker R, Miglioretti DL, Desai A, Ballard-Barbash R, Buist DS. Obesity, mammography use and accuracy, and advanced breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Dec 3;100(23):1724-33.

[6] Protani M, Coory M, Martin JH. Effect of obesity on survival of women with breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010 Oct;123(3):627-35

[7] Hall KD, Kahan S. Maintenance of Lost Weight and Long-Term Management of Obesity. Med Clin North Am. 2018;102(1):183-197. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2017.08.012

[8] Effective Exercise Modality to Reduce Insulin Resistance in Women With Type 2 Diabetes

Darcye J. Cuff, Graydon S. Meneilly, Alan Martin, Andrew Ignaszewski, Hugh D. Tildesley, Jiri J. Frohlich

Diabetes Care Nov 2003, 26 (11) 2977-2982;