Breast cancer kills about 50,000 women each year in the U.S. It is diagnosed in more than 175,000 each year. The American Cancer Society claims there is no sure fire way to prevent the disease but advises that early detection through an array of diagnostic tools, drugs, and surgery can reduce the risk.
A 10 year study by the Curie Institute in Paris France shows that obese or overweight women were at 50 percent greater risk than those with a normal body weight of contracting contralateral breast cancer. Furthermore being overweight can contribute to the formation of other types of cancers in breast cancer survivors.
Another study from the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam analyzed breast cancer data gathered over a 10 year period and concluded that a body weight greater than 72 kilograms (about 183 lbs) doubled the risk in postmenopausal women.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m. Overweight is defined as having a body mass index higher than 25kg/m2 but lower than 30kg/m.
Other studies have previously concluded that a sensible low fat diet containing a lot of omega 3 fats, vitamin D, and a low intake of omega 6 fats contributes greatly to the prevention of the disease.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, contralateral, contralateral breast cancer, obesity, overweight women
