In recent years, studies have been conducted on innumerable risk factors, complications, causes, and associated issues related to breast cancer.
Obesity has been chief among the topics involved in these studies and valuable – and actionable – information has been gleaned as a result.
As I reviewed highlights of some of this latest research, I was struck by how close to home this hit for us here in Memphis and the Mid-South.
As southerners, we love our food.
And unfortunately, it shows. As of September of 2015, the average body mass index (BMI) of Mid-South residents (Tennesseans, Arkansans, and Mississippians in this case) is 34.2.
A BMI over 25 is considered “overweight”.
So, what’s the latest on the relationship between higher BMI values and breast cancer?
It’s not great.
In post-menopausal women, studies have shown a dramatic and sobering 30 to 60 percent increase in breast cancer risk for women with a BMI of over 25.
Those numbers bear repeating: a THIRTY to SIXTY percent increase.
Now here’s a notable surprise: Recent studies have shown that breast cancer risk in pre-menopausal women with a BMI over 25 is actually a bit lower than leaner women. This result is still being researched, but current conventional wisdom involves the fact that there are multiple kinds of breast cancers, only some of which rely on the presence of the hormone estrogen to grow and develop.
Despite this finding, we feel that the dramatic risk increase for post-menopausal women is substantial enough to warrant action for all women despite your age and menopausal status.
Here’s the good news.
And it is good.
As many studies that exist that link obesity and breast cancer, particularly as I mentioned among post-menopausal women, there exist just as many studies that show eating healthier, exercising regularly, and reducing your BMI to a calculation under 25 can result in positive biomarkers and measurable benchmarks linked to breast cancer treatment.
The bottom line: Let’s discuss how Mediplan can help you lose weight and lower your BMI to a safe level. If you have yet to enter menopause, it may be tempting to look at the research and confident that you have plenty of time to lose the weight.
Please understand that there’s never any time quite like the present.
For many women, post-menopausal weight loss is even more difficult than trying to lose weight before entering menopause.
No matter your age or menopausal status, we can work together with you to live a healthier life and reduce your risk of allowing obesity to be a factor in a breast cancer diagnosis.
Call us today or click the Schedule an Appointment button at the top of this page to book a meeting time.