It is estimated that 180,000 women are diagnosed with Breast cancer within the United States each year
It is estimated that 180,000
women are diagnosed with Breast cancer within the United States each year. Most diagnoses are determined at the localized
stage, which means an estimated 5 year survival rate of 96%. With current
technologies finding cancer in earlier stages along comes increased hope for
higher survival rates. As technology is an asset for this cancer however,
certain factors can predispose an individual to complications throughout the
treatment. This includes co-morbidity rates, which are the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient, such as diabetes, osteoporosis,
cardiovascular disease, and most notably, obesity. Obesity is pervasive
epidemic that contributes to complications throughout cancer treatments and
recovery.
Luckily, obesity is
manageable. In a recent study published
in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, the effects of a weight loss
intervention on body mass, fitness, and inflammatory biomarkers in overweight
or obese breast cancer survivors was reviewed. During the study participants
were enrolled in a 16 week long diet and fitness regime that promoted weight
loss. At the end of the 16 weeks, the intervention group had many favorable
outcomes compared to the control groups. The intervention group not only lost
more weight, but also showed changes at a molecular level. What researchers
particularly reported was an improvement
in IL-6, an important gene involved in tissue cell mending and immune response,
both very important aspects of cancer recovery.
Conclusively, reversing
obesity among cancer survivors not only reduces weight between individuals, but
also reduces inflammation and supports a health immune response which may
influence the risk of cancer progression
For more information please
visit:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3212681/
Effects of a Weight Loss Intervention on Body Mass, Fitness, and Inflammatory
Biomarkers in Overweight or Obese Breast Cancer Survivors
