Breast cancer and weight loss have known to be closely linked. Studies have shown that breast cancer is more likely to occur in women who are obese and have excessive weight.

Recent studies show that women who suffer from excessive weight problems are more than likely to suffer from breast cancer versus woman who are at a normal or average weight. Studies have also suggests that obesity contributes more to the cause of breast cancer than smoking and alcohol. WOW!

Women who carry more weight and are disproportionate in comparison to body mass index are at higher risks of developing breast cancer because of the female sex hormone oestrogen, hormones responsible for creating three-quarters of breast tumors.

There was study performed on 6,300 post-menopausal women from 13 different studies looking at relevant factors affecting sex hormones. BMI, which measures weight in relation to height, was said to have the biggest impact on sex hormones, especially oestrogen.

Research found that women who drink excessively and smoked 15 or more cigarettes a day were at a very high risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer but obese women had an even higher chance.

Co-author Dr Gillian Reeves, from Oxford University, said

“Our study shows that changes in hormone levels might explain the association of established risk factors such as obesity with breast cancer risk.

He went on to say:

“Other studies have found that weight and alcohol can affect hormone levels, and this research confirms and adds to these findings and provides more information about how breast cancer develops…There’s already strong evidence that drinking alcohol and being overweight can increase the risk of breast cancer, but it’s important to understand why these links exist”.

So weight loss will reduce the risks of breast cancer. I am on a mission to lose weight myself, especially since breast cancer is so heavy in my family. After my mom was diagnosed, she got on a healthier diet plan as well and lost about 75lbs. Ever since, I have been doing my best to get this weight off because it seems that weight and breast cancer go hand in hand, in most cases.

Nutrition affects lots of factors besides weight, it also has the ability to affect your health both positively or negatively depending on the route you choose. I choose to learn how to eat healthier so I can maintain a healthy life balance and remain cancer free.