Overweight women at higher risk of aggressive breast cancer
An article by 
Posted March 17, 2008 
Women who are overweight or have high blood sugar could be more at risk of developing aggressive breast cancer, according to research published today.
A study has found women have decreased risk of low-risk breast cancer if they were overweight or suffered high blood sugar (insulin resistance), but were at higher risk of more aggressive tumours.
Umea University in Sweden carried out the study, they looked at blood samples and body mass index mesurements (BMI) taken from more than 1,000 women.
Of the group, 561 women had been diagnosed with breast cancer while 561 remained free of the disease and acted as a control.
The women who were all an average age of 52. The experts also looked into previous studies which show that obesity in both pre- and post-menopausal women is associated with advanced cancer.
The lead author on the study, Tanja Stocks said: “These results are very interesting and the difference in risks of tumours may be down to the oestrogen and insulin levels.
“We believe this is the first study to find a link between blood sugar levels and the type of tumour.
“Hopefully now this will lead to more work on how things like body fat and blood sugar levels affect the type of tumour that develops, as well as a person’s overall cancer risk.”
Professor Martin Wiseman, scientific and medical advisor to the WCRF, said: “This study reminds us that being overweight increases risk of breast cancer as well as several other cancers.
“But it also places high blood sugar levels in the frame as one way that this happens.
“If people want to keep their blood sugar levels low, one of the best things they can do is avoid being overweight.”
Experts have warned that 60 per cent of UK adults will be overweight or obese by the year 2050 if action is not taken to tackle rising rates.
Dr Sarah Cant, policy manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “We already know that being obese after the menopause increases the risk of developing breast cancer but this research is the first to suggest being overweight and having high blood sugar levels may affect the stage of breast cancer at diagnosis.
“However, larger studies are now needed to investigate these findings and confirm the results.”
The charity recommend women maintain a healthy weight throughout life through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Information and image sourced from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/health/womenfamily.html?in_article_id=536768&in_page_id=1799
