Breast cancer is a major health concern for women worldwide and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. The disease can be successfully treated with various treatment options such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

However, obesity is a major risk factor for breast cancer and can impact the treatment response of the disease.

Understanding Body Mass Index

Body mass index (BMI) is a tool used to measure obesity and is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. A BMI of over 30 is considered obese.

It is important to note that obesity is a complex condition as it can be influenced by genetics, diet, sedentary lifestyle, and other environmental factors.

The Link between High BMI and Breast Cancer

A study by the American Cancer Society found that obesity is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer amongst postmenopausal women by up to 70%. This is thought to be due to the effect of estrogen levels in the body.

Fat cells produce estrogen, and higher amounts of fat cells result in increased estrogen levels, which can lead to the development of breast cancer.

Impact of High BMI on Breast Cancer Treatment Response

High BMI can negatively affect breast cancer treatment response, and studies have shown that obese women tend to have poorer outcomes in terms of treatment response and overall survival rates compared to women with a healthy BMI.

Surgery

High BMI can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. Obese patients are more likely to experience wound infections, poor wound healing, and an increased risk of blood clots.

These complications can delay the start of other treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and impact the overall success of treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for breast cancer, where drugs are used to kill cancer cells. High BMI can impact the effectiveness of chemotherapy due to a phenomenon known as pharmacokinetics.

Obese individuals tend to have a larger volume of distribution for drugs, which means the drugs may not reach the tumor cells effectively, leading to poorer treatment outcomes. Additionally, higher BMI can lead to increased drug resistance, resulting in the need for higher doses of chemotherapy, which can further increase the risk of side effects.

Radiation Therapy

Obese individuals may have difficulty positioning the body correctly for radiation therapy, which can result in an inadequate dosage of radiation to the tumor cells.

Additionally, patients with higher BMI tend to have more subcutaneous fat, which means the radiation beams may not reach the tumor cells as effectively as they would in an individual with a lower BMI.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Breast Cancer Treatment Response

It is essential for individuals with a high BMI to adopt lifestyle changes to improve their breast cancer treatment response. Some of the lifestyle changes that can be made include:.

Weight loss: Losing weight can improve overall health and reduce the risk of breast cancer and improve treatment response.
A balanced diet: A balanced diet rich in antioxidants and low in processed foods can reduce the risk of breast cancer and improve treatment response.
Exercise: Exercise can help improve overall health, reduce the risk of breast cancer, and improve overall treatment response.

Conclusion

High BMI is a risk factor for breast cancer, and it can negatively impact breast cancer treatment response.

Obese individuals are more likely to experience wound infections, poor wound healing, an increased risk of blood clots, and poorer treatment outcomes. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, balanced diet, and exercise can improve overall health and treatment response in breast cancer patients.