According to a study, weight gain is closely associated to increasing the chances of developing breast cancer.
Results from the study revealed that a woman who gains between 21 and30 pounds after she turns 18 increases her risk of developing breast cancer to 40 percent over women who have gained a maximum of five pounds. The risk doubled if the woman gained more than 70 pounds. The study involved 1,934 breast cancer cases occurring among 62,756 postmenopausal women.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been found to modify the link between body weight and breast cancer risk. Excess body fat seems to be related to increased levels of estrogen. Fat tissues have been known to make estrogen, which helps breast cancer grow. Women not on hormone replacement therapy have the lowest levels of estrogen therefore are at the lowest risk of developing breast cancer.
Conclusions from the study showed that adult weight gain is strongly associated with postmenopausal breast cancer only among non-hormone replacement therapy users.
These findings further confirm the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight throughout your life.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention February 13, 2004; (2): 220-4.
Excess estrogen is one of the leading causes of breast cancer. I stress excess because all women need estrogen--the conflict is that most western women have too much. The only instance I recommend estrogen replacement therapy is when a women has a total hysterectomy.
Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of all kinds of cancers. Along with exercising (ideally for about an hour each day) it is critical to make adjustments to your diet by cutting out all grains and sugars. Sugar and grains are the main reasons why two-thirds of our country is overweight. If you follow the plan detailed in my Total Health Program and Cookbook you will optimize your weight and become familiar with the foods that fight off diseases.
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