BJOG 2006 Aug 31; [Epub ahead of print]
Carmichael A
The evidence that obesity adversely affects women's health is overwhelming and indisputable. The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer increases with obesity; measured as weight gain, body mass index, waist-hip ratio or percent body fat. It is also established that obesity is associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer. This article examined in detail the possible mechanisms by which obesity causes poor prognosis of breast cancer such as hormonal activity of excess fat.
After careful consideration of the available evidence, the author from Department of Surgery, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK, concludes that obesity contributes towards development and poor prognosis of breast cancer; therefore, weight management should be an integral part of any strategy to prevent and improve the outcome of breast cancer.
