Think Pinker

If you have high insulin levels you could be at great risk of developing breast cancer according to a recent article published in the Washingtonpost.com.

A recent study confirmed that high insulin levels increase your risk of breast cancer while lower insulin levels decreases your risk. There also seems to be a potential link between your risk of developing breast cancer and obesity according to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine located in New York City. And since obesity is associated with high insulin levels that makes perfect sense.

Researchers looked at 835 women who had breast cancer and 816 who did not have breast cancer all of which were part of a study. What it showed was that women whose fasting insulin levels were highest were 1.5 times more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those with much lower fasting insulin levels.

If the women were taking hormone therapy, their risk increased to 2.4 times. That’s significant! The American Cancer Society has promoted obesity as a significant factor for many years but this takes things to another level.

What does it mean to you? Well if you have low insulin levels you probably have nothing to worry about although you should always get a regular mammogram. If you have higher insulin levels or you are overweight you must be that much more diligent and pay that much more attention and have a regular mammogram more regularly as well as any other screening your doctor might recommend. In fact, it is important that you do talk to your doctor about your risks.

Breast cancer is serious and it takes far too many lives each year. However, that said this not meant you have you living in fear. Instead, the message is to be proactive and take every precaution you can to ensure you are healthy. As well, remember early diagnosis has a much more positive outcome! So don’t delay.