Obesity common in women at risk of breast cancer

A new study indicates that many women with a family history of breast cancer are obese or sedentary, both of which may further boost their risk of the disease. In surveys of 92 women with a family history of breast cancer, UK researchers found that the majority were overweight, with 37 percent being obese. This was despite the fact that most - including three-quarters of the overweight women - recognized obesity as a risk factor for breast cancer.

Of 59 postmenopausal women in the study, only 15 percent said they exercised for at least four hours per week. Because women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher-than-average risk of the disease, they should strive to minimize risk factors that are under their control, Dr. Amtul R. Carmichael, one of the researchers on the study, told Reuters Health.

Studies have found that overweight women generally have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than their thinner counterparts - possibly because excess fat raises the body's levels of estrogen and other hormones that can help fuel the growth and spread of breast tumors.

Research also suggests that women who regularly exercise can help cut their risk of the disease. It's possible that exercise is beneficial because it helps women control their weight, but that is not fully clear.