Breast Cancer Riskier with High BMI

pink ribbonA new study insinuates that a high BMI (body mass index) is linked to a higher mortality rate for women who suffer from breast cancer. This article at Yahoo.com on the study is a little confusing because after making the aforementioned link, it quotes Dr. Barnett of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, UK regarding a link to pregnancy:

“We have found strong evidence that high BMI and a recent pregnancy are associated with a poorer prognosis after a diagnosis of breast cancer,” say Dr. Barnett.

Slight confusion aside, this was my take:

– A high BMI makes breast cancer riskier.

– A high BMI and a recent pregnancy is possibly a bad omen.

And then you have this out-of-the-blue twist: moderate drinking may improve survival chances by 22 percent.

One Response to Breast Cancer Riskier with High BMI

I would not put too much stock in the ffinding of higher survival from breast cancer in moderate alcohol drinkers. confirimatory studies are needed.

On a slightly different not, alcolhol consumption is usually linked, if ony weakly, to incidence of breast cancer. For my patients with a personal or close family history of breast cancer, I recommend avoiding alcohol.

-Steve

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