Varanasi, 20th May 2023: Over the last several decades, lifestyle changes such as the consumption of junk food and increased reliance on technology have contributed to a significant rise in obesity rates worldwide. According to a 2016 statistic, nearly 40 percent of the world population is overweight, with 13 percent classified as obese. Shockingly, it is projected that by 2030, approximately 60 percent of the world's population will be overweight. This alarming trend has led to obesity being recognized as one of the worst pandemics of the current century.
Obesity is strongly
linked to various metabolic diseases, including adult onset diabetes, fatty
liver, cardiovascular diseases, and several types of cancer such as breast,
colon, and endometrium. In fact, obesity is considered a low-grade chronic
inflammatory disease that disrupts the immune system and increases the risk of
developing these conditions. Of particular concern is the causal relationship
between obesity and breast cancer, which affects a significant number of women
worldwide.
Breast cancer is the
most common cancer among women, with approximately 2.3 million people diagnosed
in 2019, and nearly 700,000 lives lost due to this disease. Research indicates
that obesity plays a significant role in breast cancer development, especially
hormone receptor positive cancer, which accounts for approximately 70 percent
of all breast cancers. Fat cells produce estrogen, and excessive estrogen
production in obese individuals contributes to the increased risk of developing
breast cancer.
Dr Vedant Kabra, Principal Director, Department of
Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Gurugram said “Interestingly, studies have
shown varying effects of obesity on breast cancer development in premenopausal
and postmenopausal women. While obesity is a significant risk factor for breast
cancer in postmenopausal women, the incidence of breast cancer is relatively
lower in obese premenopausal women compared to their non-obese counterparts.
This distinction can be attributed to the primary sources of estrogen in these
groups, with the ovaries being the primary source in premenopausal women and
adipose tissue (fat) being the primary source in postmenopausal women. However,
it should be noted that obesity promotes the development of breast cancer
regardless of menopause status, and studies have highlighted that central
obesity (fat deposition around the trunk) is associated with an increased risk
of breast cancer across all ages. Generally, obese women have a 30 percent
higher chance of developing breast cancer compared to non-obese women.”
While obese
premenopausal women may have a lower chance of developing breast cancer, it is
essential to emphasize that obesity cannot be promoted as a preventive measure
in younger women due to the numerous detrimental effects it poses, including
diabetes, heart diseases, and other obesity-related conditions. Furthermore,
obesity increases the risk of cancer spread within the body and complicates
breast cancer treatment. Obese breast cancer patients experience a higher
incidence of treatment-related complications, reduced effectiveness of hormone
treatments, and a greater risk of cancer recurrence after treatment.
In conclusion, obesity not only increases the risk of developing breast cancer in women but also leads to higher treatment-related complications, an increased risk of cancer recurrence, and is associated with a multitude of other diseases. Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity to maintain an optimal body weight can significantly decrease the incidence of life-threatening diseases, including breast cancer.
