Obesity, Lack of Physical Activity Leads to Cancer?

In a new report, researchers are noting that obesity and physical inactivity may lead to eventual breast cancer.

The study, published in the March issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, looked at the body mass index (BMI) and possible correlations between obese women and breast cancer. As per their results, women with the highest BMIs had a 35 percent increased chance of developing a particular type of breast cancer than those compared with the lowest BMIs. Further, they were also 39 percent more likely to develop a variety of breast cancers, they research noted.

For this analysis, researchers evaluated data from 155,723 women that were enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative. Participants who were between the ages of 50 to 79 took part in the proceedings, and reported their exercise tendencies, weight and height. Women were then divided up into four groups ranging from the highest BMI to lowest.

Upon finishing their research, a modest link was found between a greater amount of exercise and physical activity and reduced cases of breast cancer.

While more analysis still has to be done before a definite link can be made between increased physical activity and a lesser chance of developing cancer, the connection between obesity and increased chances of developing breast cancer was made some time back.