|
|
 |
 |
Search
Quick links
Information for
This is an AstraZeneca International website for patients and carers.
The site is not intended for the following audiences who should use the links below:
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
28 August 2008
|
Obesity linked to reduced survival in breast cancer patients
|
MedWire News: Breast cancer patients who are obese have poorer survival rates than those with a normal body mass index, study results show.
"A few lifestyle characteristics before cancer diagnosis have been suggested to modify the prognosis of breast cancer," explain Dr Luigino Dal Maso, from Centro di Riferimento Oncologico in Aviano, Italy, and team.
Such factors include body weight, physical activity levels, alcohol consumption, the use of hormone therapy and fat intake.
To investigate further, the team monitored 1453 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1991 and 1994. At the start of the study, all the participants were interviewed about their lifestyle habits and their body mass indices were calculated.
Over the course of the study period, 503 of the women died, including 398 from breast cancer-related causes.
The researchers found that body mass index was the factor most commonly associated with survival among the patients.
Indeed, analysis revealed that breast cancer patients with a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2 were 29% more likely to die of any cause, and 38% more likely to die of breast cancer-related causes than those with a body mass index of less than 25 kg/m2.
The team also found that a low intake of fruit and vegetables and a current or past smoking habit were associated with reduced survival among the participants.
However, the researchers found no evidence to suggest that physical activity levels, alcohol consumption, hormone use or fat intake influenced survival in breast cancer patients.
Writing in the International Journal of Cancer, Dr Dal Maso and team comment: "Among the many modifiable lifestyle behaviours that we were able to assess, high body mass index was the one which seemed to affect breast cancer mortality most consistently."
They add: "Avoiding smoking and adopting a diet rich in vegetables and fruits may also play a role on survival of breast cancer patients, but they are unlikely to alter the course of the disease per se."
Int J Cancer 2008; 123: 2188-2194
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121379770/abstract
|
|
© CMG
|
 E-mail this story to a friend
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
Home