Impact of obesity, lifestyle factors and health interventions on breast cancer survivors

Abstract

The incidences of both breast cancer and obesity are rising in the UK. Obesity increases the risk of developing breast cancer in the postmenopausal population and leads to worse outcomes in those of all ages treated for early-stage breast cancer. In this review we explore the multifactorial reasons behind this association and the clinical trial evidence for the benefits of physical activity and dietary interventions in the early and metastatic patient groups. As more people with breast cancer are cured, and those with metastatic disease are living longer, cancer survivorship is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, ensuring the long-term implications of cancer and cancer treatment are addressed is vital. Although there remains a lack of definitive evidence that deliberate weight loss after a diagnosis of breast cancer reduces disease recurrence, a number of studies have reported benefits of weight loss and of physical activity. However, the limited data currently available mean that clinicians remain unclear on the optimal lifestyle advice to give their patients. Further high-quality research is needed to provide this evidence base, which will be required to optimise clinical care and for the commissioning of lifestyle interventions in the UK in breast cancer survivors.

A contemporary review of breast cancer risk factors and the role of artificial intelligence

“…Obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI): Obesity, particularly postmenopause, significantly increases breast cancer risk, impacting hormonal levels and inflammation. Studies like ( 3 ) highlight obesity’s role in altering molecular pathways, while ( 102 ) emphasize its association with higher estrogen levels, especially in postmenopausal women ( 19 ). stresses lifestyle interventions for reducing breast cancer risk in obese postmenopausal women.…”

“…Physical inactivity: Physical inactivity increases breast cancer risk, while exercise helps regulate hormones and maintain a healthy weight. Studies like ( 19 ) emphasize its benefits in reducing recurrence risk. Tailored interventions, as shown by ( 103 ), positively impact survivors’ quality of life ( 49 ).…”

Incidence and temporal patterns of true recurrences and second primaries in women with breast cancer: a 10-year competing risk-adjusted analysis

“…The effect we observed was larger than one would expect based on that study, but the width of the 95% CI suggests some caution. However, we hypothesize that another protective factor impacting the risk of disease is the lifestyle changes that increasingly occur after the diagnosis of BC, with more intense physical activity, deliberate weight loss and smoking and alcohol control [32]. Since lifestyle interventions are effective in mitigating several common endocrine therapy-related effects [33], the prevalence rates of the two factors do probably correlate.…”

An Integrated Care Approach to Improve Well-Being in Breast Cancer Patients

“…The latest studies have focused on the identification of risk factors that could contribute to unfavorable outcome of BC, thus in 2018 the World Cancer Research Fund has produced a report showing the latest and significant evidence to improve the overall survival through lifestyle recommendations [ 32 ]. Indeed, lifestyle improvement has a significant impact on BC management after initial diagnosis, both in term of therapeutical efficacy and QoL [ 33 ]. Despite the overall nutritional healthy choices, the maintenance of a normal body weight is mandatory, since it is well documented that obesity is linked to worst outcomes [ 34 , 35 ].…”