Obesity and Breast Cancer Link

[welcomewiki]

Obesity and Breast Cancer Link

• Hormonal influence: “One of the key factors is the role of oestrogen. After menopause, most oestrogen in a woman’s body is produced by fat tissue rather than the ovaries. Higher levels of body fat led to increased oestrogen production, which can stimulate the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers,” said Dr. Karishma Kirti, Consultant Breast Specialist and Oncoplastic Surgeon, speaking exclusively with India.com. Additionally, obesity is associated with elevated levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), both of which can promote the development and progression of breast cancer.
• Menopause: The link between obesity and breast cancer is especially strong in postmenopausal women. After menopause, fat tissue becomes the primary source of o oestrogen, and higher o oestrogen levels are associated with an increased risk of developing oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers, the most common type of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
• Chronic inflammation: This is another important factor. Obesity is linked to low-grade, chronic inflammation, which can create an environment that fosters cancer development by damaging cells and promoting genetic mutations. The distribution of body fat also plays a role; visceral fat, which accumulates around internal organs, is particularly harmful and is more strongly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer than subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin.