Nowadays, with the improvement of living standards in China, many women experience obesity. Did you know obesity can also lead to breast cancer? Experts indicate that breast cancer is a common gynecological disease posing significant risks to women. So, does obesity actually cause breast cancer? Please see the detailed explanation below.
Common cancer risk factors are generally the result of the combined influence of "genetics-environment-psychology." "Genetic" factors refer to our innate "constitutions." These inherent traits, much like our gender, appearance, height, and weight, cannot be altered in the near term. However, environmental and psychological factors can be overcome by changing our lifestyle.
Breast Cancer: Disease Entering Through the Mouth
The Chinese proverb "disease enters through the mouth" holds wisdom. While the breast isn't a digestive organ, and breast cancer doesn't seem directly linked to diet, research shows that besides genetics, high-fat diets, obesity, and ionizing radiation are significant contributors. Estrogen plays a crucial role in breast cancer development.Breast tissue is a "target" for estrogen. Excessively high estrogen levels in the body or an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone can both lead to breast cancer.
Daily meals inevitably include meat, eggs, and dairy. We also frequently visit various Western fast-food restaurants to eat fried chicken and hamburgers.Nowadays, many foods have been found to contain estrogenic compounds or substances with estrogen-like effects. This means we unknowingly ingest these estrogenic substances daily. These estrogenic compounds enter our digestive tract with food, are absorbed through the intestines, and enter the bloodstream.They are then circulated throughout the body via the bloodstream, including to breast tissue. Large amounts of estrogen entering breast tissue can trigger various reactions, including breast tissue hyperplasia. Ultimately, this may lead to the development of breast cancer. This is what is meant by "cancer enters through the mouth."
Obesity is a cause of multiple cancers
Another major risk factor for high breast cancer incidence is obesity.Scientific research has confirmed that adipose tissue can secrete estrogen. Therefore, obese individuals have relatively higher estrogen levels than those of normal weight. The link between obesity and diet is self-evident—it too exemplifies "cancer enters through the mouth." A high-fat diet is also a risk factor for breast cancer. Thus, adult women should reduce fat intake from a breast cancer prevention perspective.