A study conducted in several Spanish provinces has analysed the relationship between breast cancer and obesity in more than 2,000 postmenopausal women. Its findings are that around 40% of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) cases - the most common type - can be attributed to excess body fat (above 40%). This is much higher than the 10% considered attributable when only a high body mass index is taken into account. The results are published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Josep Maria Borràs - grasa corporal cáncer mama EN
Josep Maria Borràs
Scientific coordinator of the National Health System Cancer Strategy and director of the Catalan Oncology Plan
The study is very well designed and clearly allows us to answer the question posed. It is interesting and provides a crucial insight: it matters a lot how we measure body fat and how it is distributed, not just excess weight as measured by BMI.
- Research article
- Peer reviewed
- Observational study
- People
Cubelos-Fernández et al.
- Research article
- Peer reviewed
- Observational study
- People
