(AP Photo/LaPresse)
LONDON – A study conducted by Oxford University reasearchers claims obesity is the main cause of breast cancer in women. As the Daily Mail reports, overweight women have a far higher risk of contracting breast cancer than women who drink heavily or smoke.
The study focused on “cancer-triggering hormones including oestrogen and testosterone in 6,300 post-menopausal women” and how their levels are influenced “by different factors in women most susceptible to being diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Obesity was “defined as having a body mass index greater than 30.”
Researchers found that the high levels of the hormones were more relevant in obese women than in those who drink and smoke to eccess. Oestrogen levels in obese women were up to 50 percent higher than people with a normal weight. Testosterone levels were on average 16% higher.
The findings suggested that fat tissues “secretes oestrogen and another hormone, insulin, which in turn triggers production of testosterone.”
‘Maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing alcohol consumption are key to reducing breast cancer risk’ said Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK’s senior science information manager.
6 September 2011 | 19:59 Viewed 2498 times
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