Think Pinker

Just today, Science Daily reported that according to a recent study done by research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, showed postmenopausal women with high insulin were at a much great risk of developing breast cancer.

Of all the various types of cancer, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women. Last year almost 200,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 50,000 lost their lives to this dreadful disease.

Breast cancer strikes post menopausal women more often than any other age group. And while obesity has long been established as a risk factor the connection of how had not been fully understood until now. Research has shown that it is actually the elevated insulin levels that stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.

What does this mean to women at the day-to-day level? Raised insulin is generally the result of a poorly balanced diet, although it can also be the result of a medical condition. Insulin hanging around in the body unused is dangerous and will stop your body from being able to fight cells that are reproducing genetically mutated. This can translate to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

High insulin is also associated with being overweight and being overweight is considered a risk factor for developing breast cancer, as well as other health issues.

While the study talks about postmenopausal women but in reality, it could also affect younger women. It’s just that postmenopausal women are already in a higher risk category so there is a great deal of focus on finding triggers.

Reducing your risk can include reducing your insulin levels. Every woman should perform regular self-breast examinations, and you should also have a regular mammogram after age 40. If breast cancer runs in your family you are at a higher risk so extra precautions should be considered.