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A recent study published in Cancer Biology & Medicine reveals that gaining weight after the age of 35 significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer. The research, led by Katherine De la Torre from Seoul National University College of Medicine, offers new insights into how weight fluctuations throughout a woman’s life can impact breast cancer risk, particularly in relation to menopausal status.
The study tracked 73,192 Korean women, aged 40 to 69, over a median follow-up period of 9.2 years. Researchers examined weight changes at distinct life stages, with a focus on changes occurring after age 35. Of the participants, 66,870 women had data on their weight at age 35, and 790 new cases of breast cancer were identified.
Findings showed that 35.92% of women gained more than 5 kg after age 35, while 32.68% maintained a stable weight and 10.72% lost weight. The study revealed that women who gained more than 10 kg after age 35 had a 41% higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who maintained a stable weight.
The risk was particularly pronounced among premenopausal women. Gaining between 5 and 9.9 kg, or 10 kg or more after 35, significantly increased the likelihood of breast cancer, with hazard ratios of 1.89 and 2.23, respectively. Additionally, women who gained more than 0.75 kg per year after age 35 were found to have an elevated risk of breast cancer.
“Our research highlights the critical window after age 35 as an opportunity for weight management interventions aimed at preventing breast cancer,” said Dr. Daehee Kang, lead author and professor at Seoul National University Hospital.
The findings underscore the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, especially after midlife, as a potential strategy for reducing breast cancer risk. The study emphasizes the need for increased awareness and possible lifestyle interventions to manage weight after the age of 35, a period identified as a pivotal time for preventing chronic diseases such as breast cancer.
The full study, titled Weight Gain After 35 Years of Age is Associated with Increased Breast Cancer Risk, was published in Cancer Biology & Medicine in December 2024.
