Obesity and the Risk of Breast Cancer

Obesity is a major contributor to the growing epidemic of breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal ladies. While research shows obesity is a predictor of increased risk for developing breast cancer in females before menopause as well, it can also assist protect against the increased risk in tumours stemming from oestrogen-dominance after menopause.

Body weight is associated with menstrual irregularities, which can abet reduce blood levels of progesteron and oestradiol in anovulatory periods. This persistent elevation in oestrogens may encourage tumour progression, as various studies indicate increased tumour expression of receptors for oestrone. More so, metabolic factors make an impact: elevated body fatness explains an elevated serum concentration of CYP 1B1, thereby increased oestrogen conversion to potential tumour-contributing oestradiol, possibly playing a role in breast tumour development experienced by postmenopaused obese women. Experts believe there is an optimal body weight in chest for the let alone protection of breast tissue. Weight gain beyond the ideal frame size adversely affects the structural composition of adipose tissue: key image patterns such as smaller necks than was present in-situ, larger hip circumference, relatively increased abdominal girth to waist ratio, etc. Advantages have been shown despite the modification in weight, breast regional density decline, decreased collage remnant, angioinvasion and histological grade bleeding into DCIS. Impaired lipid metabolism, predominantly increased nonesterified fatty acid levels explains many of the physiology underlying this phenomenon.

In conclusion, obese women are significantly lacking in the protective factor of endogenous oestrogens, compared to leaner women with similar oestrogen secretion. Moreover, disinhibited hormone stimulation due to excessive availability of oestradiol favors tumour growth and swelling. Big reasons for our elevated breast cancer burden may lie in unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables – important lifestyles to ensure regulatory levels oestrogen levels and optimal body composition.