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Unacknowledged significant contributor to ER-positive breast cancer cases

Post-menopause, body fat serves as the main estrogen source. Body Mass Index might not precisely gauge body fat levels. This significance lies in the relationship between body fat and hormone-positive breast cancer, a potentially lethal cancer risk that often goes unnoticed...

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Post-Menopause, Body Fat Serves as Main Estrogen Source. Traditional Body Mass Index May Fall Short...
Post-Menopause, Body Fat Serves as Main Estrogen Source. Traditional Body Mass Index May Fall Short in Determining Body Fat Quantity. This is significant due to the association between body fat and hormone-positive breast cancer, often overlooked as a dangerous cancer risk...

Unacknowledged significant contributor to ER-positive breast cancer cases

Unmasking the Myth of Body Mass Index: A Fresh Look at Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer

Body Mass Index (BMI), long hailed as the go-to measure for body fat percentage, is now under scrutiny. Recent findings suggest that BMI may not be the most accurate gauge, particularly when it comes to hormone-positive breast cancer, a deadly cancer linked to body fat.

Unveiling Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer

Breast cancer isn't a one-size-fits-all disease. One variant, dubbed hormone-positive breast cancer, occurs when estrogen receptors are found on tumor cells. When estrogen binds with these receptors, it fuels cancer cell growth. Consequently, reducing hormonal stimulation is a primary goal in the treatment or intervention of hormone-positive cancer.

Weight Matters Most After Menopause

Before menopause, ovaries produce estrogen. But post-menopause, fat cells take on the primary role of estrogen production. Therefore, maintaining a balanced, healthy weight and managing excess fat are crucial for post-menopausal women, who account for the majority of hormone-positive breast cancer cases.

BMI Overestimates – A Spanish Study Reveals

BMI, while popular, has limitations. It fails to factor in age, sex, and ethnicity. A team of Spanish researchers sought an alternative, validated measure: the CUN-BAE (Cambridge University Network – Body Adiposity Estimation).

In a study of over 2,000 women, the researchers found that BMI underestimated hormone-positive breast cancer cases by 22% when compared to CUN-BAE. Using the alternative method, nearly 42% of breast cancer cases were hormone-positive.

This groundbreaking study suggests that traditional BMI estimates may underestimate the populace impact and that more accurate measures like CUN-BAE should be considered when estimating the cancer burden due to obesity.

Weight Loss and Breast Cancer Prevention

For post-menopausal women, weight management is key to reducing the risk of hormone-positive breast cancer. Along with maintaining a healthy weight, managing cholesterol levels is a powerful step, as byproducts of cholesterol can bind with estrogen receptors, potentially fueling the growth of estrogen receptor-positive tumors.

A diet rich in whole grain fiber foods, such as barley, oats, and brown rice, can help lower cholesterol while promoting the binding of both cholesterol and estrogen in the colon, reducing reabsorption. Additionally, cutting back on dairy fat and saturated fats is essential.

Other foods with cancer-fighting properties include:

  • Manuka Honey: Research suggests that this medicinal honey could lead to the development of natural supplements or even standalone treatments for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
  • Cruciferous Vegetables: Like broccoli and kale, these vegetables contain diindolylmethane (DIM), which promotes healthy estrogen metabolism.
  • Green Tea: Packed with powerful polyphenols, green tea has been shown to resist various cancers, including breast, liver, prostate, lung, and skin cancers.
  • Regular exercise, particularly a combination of aerobics and strength training, offers comprehensive protection from both cancer incidence and mortality.

So, if you're beyond menopause, taking active steps to maintain a healthy weight and diet could make all the difference in minimizing the risk of hormone-positive breast cancer.

  1. The type of breast cancer known as hormone-positive breast cancer, which is fueled by estrogen, is a significant concern for post-menopausal women, as their fat cells become the primary source of estrogen production.
  2. Recent research indicates that Body Mass Index (BMI) may underestimate the number of hormone-positive breast cancer cases, particularly when compared to the CUN-BAE (Cambridge University Network – Body Adiposity Estimation).
  3. Post-menopausal women can reduce their risk of hormone-positive breast cancer by managing their weight and diet, which includes eating foods like Manuka honey, cruciferous vegetables, and green tea, while also maintaining low cholesterol levels and engaging in regular exercise.

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