Overweight Women Have Higher Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

Every October we celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness month and according to some of the latest statistics, about 1 in 8 U.S women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer ( breastcancer.org ). And while all women are at risk, overweight women are at a far greater risk of developing it earlier.

The University of Granada researchers have proven that overweight women, especially those with morbid obesity, develop breast cancer at an earlier age than women who are not overweight.

In a recent study of 524 women with breast cancer, the researchers found that obese women develop breast cancer at a younger age than other women. Furthermore, the likelihood of developing breast cancer is much higher in patients with morbid obesity ( Medical News Today ). The researchers examined a sample of 524 women diagnosed with breast cancer who were treated at the university hospital San Cecilio from January 2009 to September 2010 in Granada, Spain. Within the study, they assessed the nutritional status of the patients (normal weight, obesity, and morbid obesity) and their age at diagnosis. Women with a history of breast cancer were separated from those lacking it. Their findings: obesity in women is associated with the diagnosis of breast cancer at an earlier age.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer) and not maintaining a healthy puts you at even greater risk for developing breast cancer.

For more information on understanding breast cancer risk and risk factors, visit the Lower Your Risk section of Breastcancer.org.

And if you’d like more information on how to lose weight and lower your risk for developing breast cancer, call Calla Slimspa Medical Weight Loss Center or read more about our weight loss program.