Unappreciated element driving ER-positive breast cancer progression
Laying Down the Lowdown on Body Fat and Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer
Hey there, folks!
Here's a bit of a sneaky truth - Body Mass Index (BMI) isn't the whole story when it comes to determining body fat and related health risks.
(But shh, don't tell anyone!)
Now, you're probably thinking, "What's the big deal about body fat?" Well, body fat becomes important when it's linked to a potentially deadly cancer - hormone-positive breast cancer.
What's the Scoop on Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer?
First thing's first, let's clear up some confusion - there's more than one type of breast cancer.
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, also known colloquially as hormone-positive breast cancer, means some naughty receptors are hanging out on the tumor cells. And when estrogen gets in touch with those receptors, guess what happens? You've got trouble, reconstruction, and all sorts of inconvenience!
To keep cancer cells from having a party, one of the main goals in dealing with hormone-positive cancer is reducing hormonal stimulation as much as possible.
A Little Weight Goes a Long Way (for Postmenopausal Ladies)
Estrogen is usually produced by the ovaries before menopause, but fat cells step up to the plate and start making estrogen once ovaries call it quits. So, it should come as no surprise that after menopause, keeping weight in check is key for reducing the risk for this kind of breast cancer.
But it's not just about pinching an inch or two - the amount of excess fat a woman is lugging around is crucial in determining her risk for this cancer.
For years, BMI has been the go-to method for measuring body fat.
But we've got problems with that method now.
BMI Falls Short on Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer
Here's the deal - BMI doesn't account for age, sex, or ethnicity. But a team of smart Spanish researchers dusted off another validated method of measuring body fat called CUN-BAE, which does account for these factors.
Using these measurements, the researchers analyzed 1033 post-menopausal women with breast cancer, as well as 1143 women who were cancer-free but matched for age and sex.
The results? When using BMI, they estimated 19.9 percent of breast cancer cases to be hormone-positive. But using their new measurement, approximately 41.9 percent were determined to be hormone-positive.
Translation? The risk of hormone-positive breast cancer might be underestimated when relying on traditional BMI estimates. It's high time we consider more accurate measures of body fat, like CUN-BAE, when estimating the cancer burden related to obesity in postmenopausal breast cancer.
Getting a Skinny on ER+ Breast Cancer Prevention
So, if you're a woman who's done with the monthly PMS drama, here are some tips for preventing estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer:
- Maintain a healthy weight - duh!
- Control cholesterol - it's not just for heart health anymore!
Research shows that byproducts of cholesterol can waltz right up to estrogen receptors and help tumors grow. So, follow a healthy low-fat diet to keep cholesterol at bay and reduce the risk for ER+ tumors.
Wondering what a healthy low-fat diet looks like? Here are a few stellar options:
a) Fiber-rich foods - like barley, oats, brown rice, and fruits - help lower cholesterol and bind to estrogen in the colon, which reduces reabsorption.
A Swedish study even discovered that fiber intake from fruit and cereal could reduce breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women!
b) Dial back on dairy fat and saturated fats - they're just bad news for breast health.
c) Manuka honey - research suggests it could be the next miracle cure for ER-positive breast cancer.
d) Cruciferous veggies, like broccoli and kale, have a compound called diindolylmethane (DIM) that promotes healthy estrogen metabolism.
e) Green tea - its powerful polyphenols have been proven to guard against a variety of cancers.
Don't forget to hit the gym - regular exercise can help you tame estrogen and reduce the risk of cancer mortality.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more tips on living your healthiest life!
Remember, knowledge is power!
First, it's important to recognize that hormone-positive breast cancer, specifically estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, is a significant health concern, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Research indicates that body fat plays a crucial role in the development of hormone-positive breast cancer, as fat cells can produce estrogen after menopause. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight becomes essential in reducing the risk for this type of cancer.
Traditionally, Body Mass Index (BMI) has been used to measure body fat, but its application has limitations, particularly when it comes to hormone-positive breast cancer. For instance, a study by Spanish researchers found that BMI might underestimate the risk of hormone-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and this could be rectified by using more accurate measures such as CUN-BAE, which accounts for age, sex, and ethnicity.
