Study Shows Link Between Metabolic Syndrome and Breast Cancer

According to a recent study which was published in a journal for the American Association for Cancer Research, metabolic syndrome may play a role in the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance syndrome, is characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.  It can also increase the risk for diabetes and coronary heart disease.

In this study, the researchers used existing data from the Women's Health Initiative.  Participants included postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years at enrollment who had repeated measurements of components of metabolic syndrome over an eight-year period.  The results of the study suggest an association between having the metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

To date, studies have evaluated individual components of the metabolic syndrome and breast cancer, however, this is the first time researchers have assessed whether women who met the criteria of having the metabolic syndrome were at greater risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.

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