High BMI Increases Risk of Second Cancers in Women with Breast Cancer

Risk was increased for diagnosis of any second cancer in women who were overweight or obese at the time of initial breast cancer diagnosis.

Patients frequently ask what factors they can control to reduce their risk for new or recurrent cancer. Discussions often center on diet, alcohol, and exercise, yet in women with breast cancer, the impact of high body-mass index (BMI) on the development of second cancers is not known.

Using tumor registries and medical records for a cohort of 7500 women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer in the Kaiser Permanente system, researchers obtained information on BMI, tumor characteristics, treatment, and other cancer diagnoses. At the time of initial diagnosis, 33% of women were overweight (BMI 25 – <30 kg/m²) and 34% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), mean age was 61 years, and 82% were white. Most patients were initially diagnosed with stage I …

Reviewing Author

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)