Obesity, Drinking, Smoking Contribute To Risk Of Second Breast Cancers

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs;  Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 14 Sep 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Obesity, smoking and alcohol use increase the risk that survivors of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer will develop the disease in the other breast, according to a study published this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Reuters reports. The study examined data on 365 women with a first estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and a second cancer in the other breast, and 726 similar subjects without the second cancer.

According to the study, a cancer survivor with a body mass index greater than 30 is 40% more likely to develop cancer in the other breast than a woman with a BMI lower than 25. The study also found that drinking seven or more alcoholic beverages weekly was linked with a 90% increased chance of developing a second cancer, compared with drinking no alcohol. Current smoking was associated with a 120% increased chance of developing a second cancer, compared with never smoking, the study found.

Lead author Christopher Li of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle said the study shows that women who maintain healthy weights, avoid smoking and drink in moderation can reduce their risk of developing second cancers. In an accompanying editorial, Jennifer Ligibel of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute wrote that "randomized trials of weight loss and other behavioral interventions after breast cancer diagnosis (are) needed to determine whether changes in potentially modifiable risk factors in the years after breast cancer diagnosis could help lower the risk of second primary breast cancer and other adverse events in breast cancer survivors" (Reuters, 9/9).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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