- A new study found that women over 50 who lost as little as 4.5 lbs. decreased their risk of cancer
- Women who lost at least 20 lbs. saw the most dramatic results, with a 25% reduced risk
- Because the findings give concrete numbers that correlate weight-loss and risk reduction, experts hope women will be inspired to keep fit
“This study gives us concrete numbers that correlate weight-loss and risk reduction," Dr. Sarah P. Cate, assistant professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells SurvivorNet. "Sustained weight loss is really important in preventing breast cancer. We know that fat cells make estrogen which fuels most breast cancers after menopause. Now, the whole concept of weight loss is much easier to discuss with patients.”
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"This is encouraging news for me and my sisters," says Anna Leake Smith, 66, a wealth advisor in Baltimore whose mother died of breast cancer at age 49. "I got serious about exercise and health in my forties because I didn’t know what living past 49 looked like–my mother never made it there. Now, to hear science that proves even a 4.5-pound weight loss can move the needle and help us beat the odds, it's very motivating. Even small efforts pay off. That's doable for everybody."
The Study
Lauren Teras, scientific director for epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of a new study, along with her team, tracked 180,000 post-menopausal women over a decade using data compiled from 10 separate studies. They measured the women's weight at the beginning, middle and end of the study to determine who lost weight and whether they maintained that weight loss. They also accounted for hormone replacement therapy and exercise levels, which can influence risk levels.
Nearly 7,000 of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of the study. Women who lost at least 20 pounds during this time saw the most dramatic results, with a 25% reduced risk.
How to Get Better Info about Cancer
Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a SurivorNet’s medical advisor, talked to the “Today” Show about some exciting breast cancer clinical trials. "It's always important if patients are interested in the latest treatments that they say to their doctors, are there any clinical trials that may be applicable to me?" she said.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.