Obesity could affect breast cancer survival

Obesity, particularly abdominal fat, can affect breast cancer survival, says a new study that recommends women to maintain a healthy weight throughout adult life.

Marilie Gammon and colleagues at the University of North Carolina studied 1,254 women aged 20-54 diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 1990 and 1992, reported the Newswise wire.

Women with a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.80, which indicates higher concentrations of abdominal fat, were 52 percent more likely to die of breast cancer in the next nine years compared to those with ratios at or below 0.80, after adjusting for the effects of obesity, the researchers said.

People with a high waist-to-hip ratio typically have an apple shape, with fat concentrated in the abdomen. Best waist-hip ratio for women and men are 0.8 or less and 0.95 or less respectively.

The study also shows that obesity has a detrimental effect on breast cancer survival, the researchers said.

Women with a body mass index greater than 30, which indicates obesity, were 48 percent more likely to die during the nine-year study period than women of ideal weight.

If the study participants were both overweight (body mass index greater than 25) and had a waist-to-hip ratio above 0.80, their risk of dying increased by 92 percent.

"These results demonstrate that obesity, particularly abdominal fat, decreases a woman's chance of surviving breast cancer, even if she is premenopausal at the time of diagnosis," said Gammon.

"Our goal is to identify factors that will enhance survival among women with breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout adult life is something women can do to improve their survival."

(IANS)

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