Breast cancer and unhealthy lifestyle choices

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDMay 11 2011

Figures have shown that more than one in five British women is classified as obese, and research has found those affected are almost 50 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer than women carrying less weight. Studies have shown that obesity in women leads to changes in sex-hormone levels that may trigger estrogen-dependent tumors, which form the majority of cases. Drinking just one large glass of wine a day also increases the chance of developing breast cancer by a fifth, say experts. It is thought alcohol raises levels of estrogen in the body.

Dr Rachel Thompson, deputy head of science at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), said, “We still have a long way to go to raise awareness about what women can do. It is very worrying that in the UK there are tens of thousands of cases of breast cancer which could be prevented every year. People can do a lot to reduce their chances of developing cancer. Overall, we estimate about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented through a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.”

The proportion of breast cancer cases believed to be avoidable is considerably higher. The charity has produced a revised estimate of the number of avoidable breast cancers which is 2,000 cases higher than its 2009 figure, to reflect the rising number of cases. The most recent figures available show there were 47,600 new instances of breast cancer in the UK in 2008. The WCRF estimates about 42 per cent of these – roughly 20,000 – could have been prevented through healthier lifestyle choices.

Its 10 Recommendations for Cancer Prevention include being “as lean as possible without becoming underweight”; keeping fit; limiting consumption of fatty, salty and sugary food and drink; eating fruit, vegetables and pulses; eating less red meat and processed meat; drinking less and choosing a balanced diet rather than vitamin supplements.

Dr Lisa Wilde, director of research at the Breast Cancer Campaign, agreed that ‘diet and lifestyle are significant breast cancer risk factors’. She said, “We would recommend that people who want to lower their risk of developing the disease reduce their alcohol consumption, take exercise whenever possible and maintain a healthy weight. However, it is important to remember that there are many other breast cancer risk factors and we cannot control two of the biggest – age and family history of the disease. Therefore, finding breast cancer early when most treatable gives the best possible chance of survival – so it is vital to be breast aware and report any changes to your GP.”

Dr Rachel Greig, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said, “A woman’s lifestyle choices don’t mean for certain that she will or won’t get breast cancer because genetic and environmental factors can also play a part.”

Audrey Birt, director of Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Scotland, added, “This statistic isn't surprising because we already know living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, a woman's lifestyle choices don't mean for certain that she will or won't get breast cancer because genetic and environmental factors can also play a part. Breast cancer is a complex disease, which is why we're running the Breakthrough Generations Study across Scotland and the rest of the UK to pinpoint the exact causes.”