Breast cancer stands out as the most common type of cancer in women. Stating that the increase in adipose tissue in the body due to obesity leads to an increase in the estrogen hormone in women, increasing the risk of developing breast cancer, Medline Adana Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Dyt. Selva Oturakçıibogil said, “Proper and healthy nutrition should be a lifestyle to avoid this disease.”
Oturakçıibogil said, “Cancer ranks first among the diseases that cause the most deaths in the world and in our country. Research shows us that 90-95 percent of cancer is caused by genetic factors and environmental factors. Again, according to research, 30 percent of these environmental factors are our eating habits. While our wrong eating habits lead to obesity, obesity is directly related to breast cancer. Breast cancer stands out as the most common type of cancer in women. The increase in adipose tissue in the body due to obesity leads to an increase in the estrogen hormone in women, increasing the risk of developing breast cancer. In order to avoid this disease, proper and healthy nutrition should be a lifestyle.”
The prevalence of obesity is increasing in our country
Oturakçıibogil continued as follows:
“Obesity, which has become a public health problem today, is a serious and chronic disease resulting from excess fat accumulation in the body. According to WHO (World Health Organization) data, the prevalence of obesity worldwide has tripled in the last decade. Again, according to the data of WHO's 'Obesity Report for the European Region' for 2022, the country with the highest prevalence of obesity is reported as Turkey. Accordingly, 66.8 percent of the adult population in our country is defined as overweight and 32.1 percent as obese.
Obesity increases estrogen hormone
A diet high in fatty foods, inactivity, genetic and hormonal factors are known to be associated with breast cancer. Obesity, which develops due to malnutrition, leads to an increase in adipose tissue in the body and supports the increase in the estrogen hormone secreted in women. Estrogen hormone is an important factor that increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer risk increases as BMI increases
Studies have shown that increased estrogen levels in obese women are directly related to cancer. The risk of death from breast cancer in women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 is twice as high as in women with a BMI between 18-24.9. Preventing and treating obesity has become a global health problem. For this reason, considering that obesity is a preventable risk factor for breast cancer, the incidence of breast cancer in women can be reduced by effectively combating obesity in the society.”
Stating that the treatment of obesity should be planned individually and carried out in cooperation with health professionals such as doctors, dieticians and psychologists, Dyt. Selva Oturakçıibogil made the following suggestions to prevent obesity.
“Ensure your weight control. Do not hesitate to seek help from a specialist if necessary to get rid of your excess weight and determine an appropriate treatment plan. Eat a balanced diet from each food group. Consume vegetables and fruits fresh and in season. Avoid ready-made foods with long shelf life and high calorie content. Avoid fast-food style nutrition. Do not consume unnatural sugar and limit your daily salt intake. Prefer healthy methods such as boiling and baking when cooking your meals. Prefer to eat your meals slowly. Drink enough water throughout the day and do not wait until you feel thirsty. Try to consume as little saturated fats as possible. Make regular exercise a habit by increasing your physical activity level.”
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