Changes in weight and waist circumference during menopausal transition and postmenopausal breast cancer risk

Abstract

Our study aimed to investigate the association between changes in weight and waist circumference (WC) during menopausal transition and breast cancer risk in Asian women. In total, 184 931 women aged 40 to 59 years with a premenopausal status at the first screening in 2009 to 2010 and a postmenopausal status at the second screening in 2011 to 2012 were included in the analysis. Changes in weight and WC during menopausal transition were classified as loss (>2.5 kg; >2.5 cm), stable (±2.5 kg; ±2.5 cm), and gain (2.5‐4.9 kg, ≥5 kg; 2.5‐4.9 cm, ≥5 cm). WC gain of 5 cm or more during menopausal transition was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer with an HR of 1.15 (95% CI = 1.01‐1.30), compared to stable WC (±2.5 cm). Among obese premenopausal women, increased WC ≥5 cm during menopausal transition was associated with increased breast cancer risk with an HR of 1.22 (95% CI = 1.03‐1.44). Similarly, in women with premenopausal WC ≥80 cm, increased WC of ≥5 cm during menopausal transition was likely to increase the breast cancer risk (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.13‐1.88) than in women with stable WC. However, in premenopausal women with BMI <23 kg/m2 or WC <80 cm, changes in WC during menopausal transition did not show an association. Weight gain during menopausal transition was not associated with the risk of breast cancer. Changes in central obesity during menopausal transition in combination with premenopausal obesity status are associated with breast cancer risk after menopause.

Shift work, body mass index and associated breast cancer risks in postmenopausal women

“…There are also reports confirming an increased risk of breast cancer in overweight and obese women. A study of 184,931 Asian women found that increase in waist circumference during the menopause correlated with an increased risk of breast cancer [28]. Abdominal obesity is of particular importance.…”

Advances in “adiponcosis”: Insights in the inner mechanisms at the base of adipose and tumour tissues interplay

“…There are several possible mechanisms subtending adiponcosis in BC: estrogen alteration levels, chronic adipose tissue inflammation, leptin and insulin/IGF‐1 signalling pathway activation. Almost all women life is orchestrated by biological and functional alteration of sex steroid hormones levels (pregnancy or menopause, for example) that are often associated to body composition modifications 60,61 . In premenopausal women, estrogens are predominantly synthesized by the ovary.…”

“…Almost all women life is orchestrated by biological and functional alteration of sex steroid hormones levels (pregnancy or menopause, for example) that are often associated to body composition modifications. 60,61 In premenopausal women, estrogens are predominantly synthesized by the ovary. During menopause the production of estrogens is performed at extra-glandular level, by characteristic cells of adipose tissue like the undifferentiated adipose fibroblasts: here plasma androstenedione secreted by the adrenal glands is converted by Cytochrome P450 aromatase complex in estrone.…”