Weight Gain Increases The Risk For Breast Cancer Recurrence And Death

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

The overall survival rate after five years of follow up for early-stage breast cancer is now greater than 90%. While this is excellent news for the majority of women with early-stage breast cancer, all breast cancer patients should be aware of ways in which a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for recurrence and death following treatment. Maintaining ideal body weight has now been shown to be an important strategy for achieving these goals.

Why is weight control important for breast cancer survivors?

Research shows that breast cancer survivors who maintain ideal body weight have a much lower risk for breast cancer recurrence.

Are there any other reasons to maintain ideal body weight following breast cancer treatment?

Yes, research also shows that women who maintain ideal body weight following treatment live longer than survivors who gain weight.

DID YOU KNOW?

Currently, the majority of women in the United States are overweight. Estimates are that approximately 62% of adult women are over their ideal body weight.

Is the risk of recurrence dependent on large weight gain?

No, the risk for breast cancer recurrence is appreciable even in survivors who gain only a small amount of weight following treatment.

What are the statistics related to weight gain and breast cancer recurrence and death?

Women who are obese at the time they are diagnosed with breast cancer have a 30% chance of recurrence and a 50% chance of death compared to women of ideal body weight.

What scientific study showed a link between weight gain and breast cancer recurrence and death?

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine studied 7000 women treated for Stage I – III breast cancer and found that obesity at the time of diagnosis, and weight gain following treatment, significantly increased the risk for recurrence and death in survivors.

Why might obesity and weight gain increase the risk of recurrence and death?

Fat cells make estrogen, though in much smaller quantities than that made in the ovaries during the reproductive years. Excess fat produces excess amounts of estrogen in the body that may contribute to the growth of breast cancer cells. Also, women who carry excess weight do so because they take in excess calories. Over-eating is associated with elevated levels of insulin, another hormone that encourages the growth of breast cancer cells.

Does being overweight increase the risk for breast cancer, per se?

Yes, studies show that women who are overweight following menopause increase their risk for breast cancer by 30-60%.
An enlarging body of evidence indicates that being overweight increases the risk for breast cancer in post-menopausal women and increases the risk of recurrence and death in breast cancer survivors. Even small increments of excess weight increase the risk for recurrence and death following breast cancer treatment. Ideal body weight should be maintained at every age, especially for women who wish to reduce their risk for breast cancer, and certainly for breast cancer survivors who want to increase their chance for survival.

If you’d like to receive more information about breast cancer and find out what the Breast Health and Healing Foundation is doing to battle the disease, please sign up for our newsletter. You can sign up here: http://breasthealthandhealing.org/im-in/.