Breast cancer has many possible causes and risk factors. Some cannot be changed, such as age, family history, and certain inherited genes. Others are related to lifestyle and body changes. One important factor that researchers have studied for many years is how obesity and breast cancer are connected.
Having overweight or obesity does not mean that someone will develop breast cancer. However, research shows that excess body weight can increase the risk of developing certain types of breast cancer.
The connection is more complicated than simply having extra body fat. Fat tissue is active and can affect hormones, blood sugar, inflammation, and the environment surrounding breast cells. In this article, Begin Health Life suggests how obesity may reduce some of the body's natural defenses against cancer.
Why Does Obesity Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
The relationship between obesity and breast cancer is clearly explained after menopause. Before menopause, most estrogen is produced by the ovaries. After menopause, the ovaries greatly reduce estrogen production, and fat tissue becomes an important source of estrogen.
When a person has more body fat, the body can produce more estrogen. Higher estrogen exposure can encourage some breast cells to grow and divide. Over many years, this may increase the opportunity for abnormal cells to develop.
This is one of the main reasons that postmenopausal breast cancer is more strongly associated with excess body weight.
However, a recent research said that breast cancer and obesity are connected via a mammary adipose tissue that suppresses the secretion of an anti-breast-cancer molecule.
Obesity May Increase Estrogen Causing Breast Cancer
Estrogen is a normal and important hormone. It helps control several functions in the body, including the reproductive system. However, some breast cancers are sensitive to estrogen. When estrogen attaches to these cancer cells, it can encourage them to grow.
This helps explain the relationship between estrogen and breast cancer. After menopause, having more fat tissue can increase the amount of estrogen available in the body.
That does not mean every woman with obesity has high estrogen levels or will develop breast cancer. It simply means that excess body fat can create one biological condition that may increase risk.
Obesity Can Affect Insulin and Blood Sugar
Another possible connection involves insulin. Insulin helps the body control blood sugar. People with obesity are more likely to develop insulin resistance, a condition in which the body does not respond to insulin as effectively. The body may then produce more insulin to compensate.
Insulin resistance have been associated with other several cancers, including breast cancer. Insulin and related growth signals can encourage cells to grow and survive, potentially creating conditions that are more favorable to cancer development.
This is why poor metabolic health is another important part in increasing the breast cancer risk.
Obesity Promotes Inflammation
Obesity can also affect the body's immune and inflammatory responses. When fat cells become larger, it enhances chronic inflammation. Long-lasting inflammation can change how nearby cells behave and can affect normal tissue repair and cell growth.
Though, inflammation alone does not cause breast cancer, persistent inflammation creates an environment in which cancerous cells have a better chance of surviving and growing. This is another reason that excess body weight affects cancer risk.
Obesity Removes Anti-cancer Protection
One of the most interesting recent developments in obesity-related breast cancer research involves a substance called 9S-HODE. It is a natural fatty acid secreted by lean fat cells that suppresses breast cancer growth.
Researchers found that this natural substance can help trigger a form of cell death called ferroptosis. In simple terms, this is one way damaged or potentially dangerous cells can be eliminated.
This finding offers a new way of thinking about obesity and cancer.
Scientists have traditionally focused on what obesity adds to the body that may promote cancer, such as higher estrogen, insulin, and inflammation. This research raises another argument: Obesity also takes away some of the body's natural protection against cancer.
What Can You Do to Lower Your Cancer Risk?
Maintaining a healthy weight is one practical step that may help reduce breast cancer risk. Regular physical activity is also associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends adults aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity.
A healthy lifestyle cannot completely prevent breast cancer, but maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, and following recommended breast cancer screening can all be part of breast cancer prevention.
Final Takeaways
The relationship between obesity and breast cancer involves several factors. Excess body fat can increase estrogen production, affect insulin levels, and contribute to long-term inflammation. Together, these changes may create conditions that make some types of breast cancer more likely.
To minimize the risk of breast cancer, Begin Health Life suggests to maintain a healthy weight, staying physically active, and avoiding unnecessary weight gain substances.
Having obesity does not mean a person will certainly develop breast cancer, just as having a healthy weight does not guarantee absolute protection. But, maintaining a healthy weight certainly minimizes many breast cancer risk factors.