Breast cancer: the obesity connection
1994
Breast Cancer and Obesity
Editorial
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): B.A. Stoll
Primary Institution: Oncology Department, St. Thomas' Hospital
Hypothesis
Is there a connection between obesity and breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women?
Conclusion
Obesity increases breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women, primarily due to hormonal changes.
Supporting Evidence
- Obesity increases breast cancer risk by up to 50% in post-menopausal women.
- Women with abdominal-type obesity have a higher risk of breast cancer.
- Excess estrogen from fat tissue is linked to increased breast cancer risk.
Takeaway
Being overweight can make older women more likely to get breast cancer because of changes in their hormones.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in studies due to varying definitions of obesity and breast cancer risk.
Limitations
Not all studies agree on the link between obesity and breast cancer risk.
Participant Demographics
Focus on post-menopausal women, with some references to pre-menopausal women.
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