How Weight Loss Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk

If you have gone through menopause and are overweight then you have an increased breast cancer risk. By learning how to reduce your weight it is possible to reduce the chances of suffering from cancers and other conditions.

Am I Overweight?

Various studies have shown that there is a strong link between obesity and cancer. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) score is a ratio between your weight and height and it can help determine whether you are obese. To find your BMI multiply your weight in pounds by 703 and divide that number by your height in inches squared. 

If you are an adult over the age of 20 then your BMI will fall into one of the following categories.

BMI of Below 18.5 = you are underweight
BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 = you are at a healthy weight
BMI of between 25 and 29.9 = you are overweight
BMI of over 30 = you are obese

Causes of Obesity

There are a few different causes of obesity. These include the intake of foods which are high in calories as well as a sedentary lifestyle. The modern lifestyle means that you don’t have to exercise everyday. Many people will drive to their workplace and only walk a short distance each day.

Breast Cancer

Estrogen is a hormone which is naturally found in the body. In large quantities this is known to cause breast cancer. Physical exercise is a good way to reduce the levels of estrogen in your body.

Estrogen is the female hormone which stimulates breast growth. Excess levels of this hormone is one of the main causes of breast cancer. By reducing the levels of estrogen you can reduce the risk of experiencing breast cancer. Exercise will also improve the health of the immune system which will make your body stronger.

Why Weight Is Important

Once you go through menopause your weight will start to have an impact on your risk of suffering from cancer. If you are overweight or obese then you have a greater risk of suffering from cancer.

If you have already had breast cancer, then being overweight can still be an issue. This will increase the risk that you will suffer from a relapse again in the future.

Why Fat Can Cause Cancer

Fat cells produce estrogen which is known to be a trigger for breast cancer. You need to exercise regularly to burn some of this excess fat and prevent excess estrogen from being produced.

You will find it difficult to control your weight as you get older because your metabolic rate will begin to slow down. This means that you need to put a lot of effort into keeping your weight under control.


The best way to keep your weight under control is to stick to a healthy diet. It’s also important to try and become more active. Not only will you feel better, but you will also reduce the risk of suffering from breast cancer.


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