Link Between Obesity and Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women Not Related to Frequency or Accuracy of Mammography

Researchers affiliated with the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium in the United States have reported that patterns of mammography use and mammography accuracy are not the reason for higher rates of advanced breast cancer in obese postmenopausal women. The results of this study were published in the December 3, 2008 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1]

Approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States. The majority of breast cancers are diagnosed among postmenopausal women. Previous research has indicated that postmenopausal women who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.[2] Furthermore, being overweight or obese has been associated with larger tumor size and more advanced disease at diagnosis.[3]

source: CancerConsultants.com