Health
Obesity linked to breast cancer recurrence
Posted: Sep 22, 2009 10:46 AM by Bea Karnes
Obesity, drinking alcohol and smoking can all increase a breast cancer survivor's risk for developing a second breast cancer.
A study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle finds obesity increases the risk for a second cancer by 50-percent.
Having at least one alcoholic drink a day increases the risk by 90-percent.
Smokers had the highest risk -- 120-percent -- for a second cancer.
This study involved 365 women diagnosed with both a first and second breast cancer, and 726 matched controls diagnosed with only a first breast cancer.
Obesity and alcohol both affect estrogen, which researchers say plays a role in breast cancer.
They blame carcinogens in cigarettes for the increased risk of a second cancer.
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