Can you reduce the risk of breast cancer yourself?
New research reveals the biggest factor in the increasing rates of breast cancer - obesity.
As the number of those diagnosed with the disease continues to rise, there can be seen a significant correlation between that and the number of obese people continuing to rise.
Alcohol and then cigarettes are the next biggest driving forces behind it, according to Cancer Research UK.
One in eight women in the UK develop breast cancer in their lifetime, data shows, and the majority of these tumors are 'hormone sensitive', meaning that their growth is fuelled by hormones.
Having too much fat stored in your body increases the levels of these 'sex' hormones.
Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said: "This is an important study as it helps to show how alcohol and weight can influence hormone levels. Understanding their role in breast cancer is vital and this analysis sheds light on how they could affect breast cancer risk.
It reveals that post-menopausal women with high levels of oestrogen and testosterone have up to three times higher risk of breast cancer, compared with those with the lowest levels.
In the study of over 6,300 women they found that a woman's weight has the greatest bearing on a woman's sex hormone levels, shortly followed by smoking and alcohol consumption.
Experts say women should be made aware of these modifiable risk factors.
Dr Sharp continued: "We know that the risk of the disease can be affected by family history and getting older, but there are also things women can do help reduce the risk of the disease. Maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing alcohol consumption are key to reducing breast cancer risk."
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in Breast Cancer Health