Weight loss in middle-age may cut breast cancer risk

Sustained weight reduction of more than 2kg is associated with a benefit, say researchers
Reuters Health Staff writer
Exercise

In women over age 50, losing more than 2kg and keeping the weight off can lower breast cancer risk, a study suggests.

US researchers who reviewed data from 180,000 women found the more weight a woman lost — and kept off — the lower her risk of breast cancer, according to the report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Women with the most sustained weight loss — 9kg or more — had a 32% lower risk compared with women whose weight remained stable.

Those with sustained weight loss of 2kg-4.5kg saw an 18% reduction in risk and those who lost 4.5kg-9kg had a 25% reduction.