Do metabolic syndrome factors influence breast cancer?

This paper studied metabolic syndrome in breast cancer patients. 

Metabolic syndrome involves a combination of various factors. They include abdominal obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol, high blood glucose (sugar) and high triglycerides (fats). These factors increase the risk of age-related chronic diseases like breast cancer. Women with metabolic syndrome (3 or more of the outlined factors present) have been shown to be at 58% increased risk of breast cancer compared to those without metabolic syndrome. However, metabolic syndrome is reversible through lifestyle changes. 

The authors aimed to evaluate whether the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with breast cancer recurrence.

2,093 patients who had been treated for invasive breast cancer were analyzed. At the start of the study, the women reported on factors relating to their lifestyle and breast cancer. A blood sample was taken to measure fat, glucose, insulin (regulates metabolism) and testosterone (male sex hormone) levels. Patients were taught how to reduce cancer risk through diet and physical activity. The patients were followed-up every 6 month for an average of 2.8 years.

Patients with metabolic syndrome (20%) tended to be older and had more advanced disease at diagnosis than those without metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with menopause. During the follow up time, there were 164 new breast cancer events. These included 89 metastases (cancer spreading to other parts of body), recurrences (cancer back at original site) and new breast cancer (on opposite breast).

Women with metabolic syndrome at the beginning of the study had 2.17 times the risk of developing breast cancer recurrences compared to women without metabolic syndrome. For women with only 1 or 2 metabolic syndrome factors, the risk was 1.39 times higher.

The risk of developing distant metastases was 2.45 times higher in women with metabolic syndrome compared to women without metabolic syndrome. The risk was 1.4 times higher in women with only 1 or 2 metabolic factors.

Body mass index was not associated with an increase in breast cancer recurrence.

The authors concluded that the presence of metabolic syndrome increased the risk of occurrence of new breast cancer events.

If experiencing any of the metabolic syndrome risk factors outlined in this article, have a chat with your doctor to discuss ways of managing such risk factors.