Breast cancer increasing

In the news last week was the worrying statistic that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer- this is double the rate of thirty years ago. Although, rates are increasing as we live longer much of this alarming rise is being put down to obesity, alcohol, lack of exercise and the growing tendency to delay motherhood. HRT can also be a factor. All these factors can increase oestrogen levels (produced by fat cells) which is thought to raise the risk for breast cancer as increased oestrogen can promote growth of tissues in the body. Whilst pregnant oestrogen levels fall which is also prolonged by breast feeding. This hormonal cancer is by the way mirrored in men with prostate cancer promoted by testerone levels. Indeed, according to the World Cancer Research Fund most cancers are increasing to the point where 1 in 2 of us will get cancer by 2020. Research has found that after the menopause obesity increases the risk of breast cancer by 30%  and even having one class of wine a day can increase risk by 20%. However, on a more positive note treatments are improving and around 40% of breast cancers can be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes from exercising regularly, good quality food and keeping a healthy weight. If you would like more information on this topic do please let me know.

Kevin 7th Feb 2011.