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Elevated Body Weight Increases Risk of Breast Cancer
A body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or greater is more strongly associated with breast cancer according to new research from nearly 170,000 post-menopausal women followed for more than a decade.1 This associated risk was stronger in women with cardiovascular disease, with a 31% increased risk per 4.5 units BMI increase. A plant-based diet has proven effective for weight loss and is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.2,3
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References
- Fontvieille E, Jansana A, Peruchet-Noray L, et al. Body mass index and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women with and without cardiometabolic diseases: findings from two prospective cohort studies in Europe. Cancer. 2025;131(14):1793-1804. doi:10.1002/cncr.35911
- Barnard ND, Levin SM, Yokoyama Y. A systematic review and meta-analysis of changes in body weight in clinical trials of vegetarian diets. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(6):954-969. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.11.016
- Romanos-Nanclares A, Willett WC, Rosner BA, et al. Healthful and unhealthful plant-based diets and risk of breast cancer in U.S. women: results from the Nurses' Health Studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021;30(10):1921-1931. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-21-0352
