Impact of Body Mass Index on Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women With and Without Cardiovascular Disease

Recent research emphasizes the strong connection between excess weight and increased breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women, particularly those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. The study, published in the journal Cancer, investigated how body mass index (BMI) influences cancer development in women with varying health backgrounds.

A team led by Heinz Freisling, Ph.D., from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, analyzed data from two extensive European studies—EPIC and UK Biobank—which included 168,547 postmenopausal women at the start of the research who did not have diagnosed type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Over an average follow-up period of approximately 10.8 years, 6,793 women developed breast cancer.

The findings reveal that for every 5 kg/m² increase in BMI, the risk of developing breast cancer increased by 31% in women who later developed cardiovascular disease, compared to a 13% increase in women without cardiovascular issues. Interestingly, the presence of type 2 diabetes did not significantly alter this risk, indicating that BMI itself is a key factor regardless of diabetes status.

Additionally, the study estimates that women with both overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and cardiovascular disease have about 153 more cases of breast cancer per 100,000 women annually than expected in the general population. Dr. Freisling suggests that these insights can help refine breast cancer screening strategies by incorporating risk profiles based on BMI and cardiovascular health.

The research also highlights the importance of weight management as a potential intervention point for reducing breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women, especially those with cardiovascular conditions. Future studies are encouraged to include women with cardiovascular disease in weight-loss and cancer prevention trials.

In conclusion, maintaining a healthy weight could be crucial for lowering breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, particularly those with cardiometabolic diseases, and should be a focus in preventive health strategies.

Source: Medical Xpress