Weight Gain Associated with TNBC Risk

In a study of postmenopausal women, participants who lost weight had a lower risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer than those who maintained or gained weight. The research was published online in CANCER, a journal of the American Cancer Society.

The findings suggest that weight loss may help lower postmenopausal women’s breast cancer risk. [NOTE: I was postmenopausal and I lost weight right before I was diagnosed with TNBC—both times.]

Although obesity has been strongly related to breast cancer risk, studies examining whether weight loss might reduce postmenopausal women’s risk have provided mixed results. To examine the issue, Rowan Chlebowski, MD, PhD, of the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, and his colleagues analyzed information on 61,335 women participating in the World Health Initiative Observational Study who had no prior breast cancer and had normal mammogram results. The women’s body weight, height, and body mass index were assessed at the start of the study and again 3 years later. 

During an average follow-up of 11.4 years, there were 3,061 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed. Women with weight loss at 5 percent or more had a 12 percent lower breast cancer risk compared with stable weight women, with no interaction by body mass index. Weight gain of 5 percent or more was associated with a 54 percent higher incidence of triple negative breast cancer.

“Our study indicates that moderate, relatively short-term weight reduction was associated with a statistically significant reduction in breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women,” said Dr. Chlebowski. “These are observational results, but they are also supported by randomized clinical trial evidence from the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification trial where, in a randomized clinical trial setting, adopting a low-fat dietary pattern that was associated with a similar magnitude of weight loss resulted in a significant improvement in breast cancer overall survival. These findings, taken together, provide strong correlative evidence that a modest weight loss program can impact breast cancer.”
 

Nanoparticles Improve TNBC treatment

The chemotherapy drug doxorubicin encapsulated in nanoparticles an be especially effective in treating triple-negative breast cancer, according to a study published in Precision Nanomedicine.   

Researchers found that increased cell kill in triple-negative breast cancer cells was associated with the smallest size of nanoparticles and the slowest release of doxorubicin.

"Nanomedicine is a very exciting avenue in modern drug development," said Adam Friedman, MD, director of the Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic at GW Cancer Center, professor of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and senior author of the study. "Nanotechnology offers many benefits, including the ability to purposefully customize your drug or diagnostic at the atomic scale, enhancing its ability to interact with its biological target and improve outcomes and potentially safety."

Friedman acknowledges that this study is an initial step, but it "provides clues for new potential strategies utilizing and manipulating nanotechnology to overcome cancer cell drug resistance. We have our work cut out for us, but this study shows that we are moving in the right direction."

Eating Bacon Might Increase Your Breast Cancer Risk

A new study in the International Journal of Cancer reviewed previous research on the link between meat consumption and breast cancer risk and concluded that processed meat increases your breast cancer risk significantly. This includes bacon, ham,  sausage, hot dogs, salami, and beef jerky.

Researchers found that eating processed meat was associated with a 9% higher breast cancer risk. Interestingly, they found no significant association between red (unprocessed) meat intake and risk of breast cancer. Risk was increased in both ER-negative and ER-positive cancers. Of the 15 studies, two found a greater link between a diet of processed meat and ER-negative cancers.  

"Cutting down processed meat seems beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer,” said lead author Dr. Maryam Farvid, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.