Does belly fat affect breast cancer? (Breast Cancer) Let's be aware of this

Most of the time, we, especially as women, think of extra belly fat as something related to body shape. But did you know that this fat that accumulates around the belly is more than just a beauty issue, it can directly affect health, especially the risk of and recovery from breast cancer ? Today we are going to talk about this very important topic. After reading this, you will understand how important it is to control your body weight.

What is the relationship between body fat and breast cancer?

As doctors, we have known for some time that there is a link between excess body fat and cancer risk. For women in particular, being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing breast cancer. This risk increases even more after menopause.

Now you might be wondering, "Why is that? What's the connection between body fat and breast cancer?" There are several reasons for that.

Simply put:

• Hormonal Influence: The fat cells in our body are not just a collection of fat cells. They increase the production of a hormone called estrogen . When estrogen levels increase in the body, the risk of developing certain hormone-related breast cancers also increases.
• Insulin levels: When we have excess body fat, our body's insulin levels also increase. Elevated insulin levels are another risk factor that can help cancer cells grow.

Think of it like constantly watering and fertilizing an unhealthy plant to help it grow. The extra fat creates a favorable environment for cancer cells to grow in the body.

What we learn from the latest research

A recent study conducted by Rutgers University in the United States has made a very important discovery in this regard. This study was conducted on more than 1,800 black women who were recovering from breast cancer. Their findings showed that body weight, especially abdominal fat, negatively affected the outcome of their cancer treatment.

In this study, doctors examined not only the women's overall body weight, but also how their fat was distributed throughout their bodies. That is, they measured things like waist size to find out where the most fat was stored.

Over the next five years, more than 175 of those women died of breast cancer. Another 111 died of other causes. What the researchers found was that weight gain, especially around the waist , significantly increased the risk of dying from breast cancer, as well as the risk of dying from other causes.

What do we need to understand from this information?

The results of this study are not intended to blame anyone or scare overweight people. The important thing is to understand that body weight, especially abdominal fat, is a potential complication that we should definitely pay attention to during cancer treatment .

That means, if you have breast cancer or are concerned about your risk, managing your weight becomes an essential part of your treatment plan .

So what can we do? Some tips to stay healthy

The good news is that there are many things we can do to control this risk. Incorporating these into your life will not only reduce your risk of cancer , but will also help improve your overall health.

1. Maintain an active lifestyle

Some people get scared when they hear the word "exercise." But you don't have to go to the gym. Just do something that makes you sweat for at least 30 minutes a day.

• Brisk walking: Going for a brisk walk every morning or evening is a good start.
• Housework: Working in the garden or cleaning the house is good exercise.
• Hobbies : Choose something you enjoy, like dancing, cycling, or swimming.

2. Get used to a healthy diet.

What we eat has a big impact on our bodies.

• Reduce sugary and floury foods: Limit things like sweetened drinks, cakes, biscuits, and bread as much as possible.
• Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits: Try to include at least five types of vegetables and fruits in your diet every day. The vegetables available in our country like greens, jackfruit, and breadfruit are very beneficial.
• Avoid processed foods: Reduce your intake of sausages, meatballs, and foods with preservatives as much as possible.
• Fiber-rich foods like brown rice: Choose whole grains like brown rice and quinoa instead of white rice.

3. Don't forget the importance of regular medical checkups!

This is the most important thing. Don't wait until symptoms appear, but always take care of your health.

• If you are a woman over the age of 40, talk to your doctor about getting a mammogram at least once a year. If there is cancer, the sooner it is detected, the more likely it is to be treated successfully.
• Self-Breast Exam: Ask your doctor about how to examine your breasts yourself once a month. If you feel any changes, such as a lump , seek medical advice immediately.

Incorporating these simple lifestyle changes into your life is much easier than having to fight cancer in the future.

Breast cancer, body weight, belly fat, cancer risk, healthy lifestyle, mammogram, women's health