Breast cancer is currently considered as the most common type of cancer affecting women around the world, resulting in life-changing effects such as major mastectomies and mortality. Research efforts in breast cancer have focused on identifying early markers for the disease that may potentially help in its diagnosis and progression. There are also health agencies that promote healthy lifestyles in order to lead a breast cancer-free life and ultimately reduce cancer risk. All these efforts have thus focused against breast cancer and decreasing the cancer risk among women.
According to a recent medical report published in the journal The Oncologist, excessive weight may also play a role in the recurrence of breast cancer among previously diagnosed and treated patients. It has been earlier suggested that being overweight or obese may influence cancer risk but there have been no comprehensive reports that have examined the association between weight issues and breast cancer recurrence.
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Breast Cancer Risk and Weight Control
The report describing the association of weight with breast cancer recurrence was based on actual studies involving approximately 67 patients with breast cancer. These patients have earlier been subjected to chemotherapy and were determined to have completely responded to the treatment. These patients were also examined in terms of age, tumor grade, and breast cancer markers such as estrogen and progesterone receptors. Information on the weight and body mass index (BMI) of these patients was also collected. As control, another group of 67 patients with breast cancer were examined, yet this time these patients did not show a complete response to chemotherapeutic treatment. The study also involved following up on all the patients and determining their conditions through time. The report described that their average duration of monitoring of the study participants was approximately seven years.
The results of the study showed an association between BMI and the generation of a complete response to chemotherapeutic treatment. According to the study, patients who possessed normal body weight showed a higher rate of complete response to chemotherapy. In addition, these individuals also survived for a longer period of time, as compared to individuals who were overweight or obese. The study also showed that the death hazard, or the likelihood of dying due to the administration of the chemotherapeutic treatment, was higher among patients who were either overweight or obese.
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Breast Cancer – The Recent Report
The information presented in the recent medical report may be helpful for both physicians and breast cancer patients because it presents suggestions on how to decrease cancer risk and recurrence. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle therefore does not only decrease cancer risk but also improves the outcome of cancer treatment. For years, physicians have been recommending to their patients to lose weight in order to decrease the likelihood of developing various types of diseases, as well as lowering the chance for cancer risk. However, little then was known regarding the cancer risk and recurrence after treatment.
The negative impact of excessive weight should thus be seriously considered, especially when it increases the chance of a wide variety of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Weight loss may be achieved by consuming healthy food items such as fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and fiber. Avoiding consumption of sugar- and fat-rich food items may also help in losing weight. Getting enough sleep may also control food cravings and prevent one from engaging in food binges. Leading a healthy lifestyle may help in the reduction of cancer risk and improve treatment outcomes. And based on the results presented by the recent medical report, weight issues are strongly associated with higher cancer risk and recurrence. Weight issues may also influence the progression and prognosis of breast cancer, as well as cancer risk.
