Being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer
Having too much abdominal fat increases the risk of breast cancer. Generally speaking, being overweight can lead to increased secretion of the hormones insulin and leptin by fatty tissue. For post-menopausal women being overweight leads to higher oestrogen levels. These hormones can influence the growth and development of cancer cells.
Furthermore, being overweight is associated with chronic inflammation in the fatty tissue. In this inflamed fatty tissue substances are secreted that may also influence the growth and development of cancer cells.