Breaking Update: Here’s a clear explanation of the latest developments related to Breaking News:Genetic Obesity Risk And Breast Cancer Survival– What Just Happened and why it matters right now.
GENETIC predisposition to excess body weight is associated with a 15% higher risk of all-cause mortality among breast cancer survivors, according to long term cohort data. Findings from 4,177 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer indicate that inherited susceptibility to higher body mass index may adversely affect survival outcomes.
Genetic Predisposition and Mortality Risk
This cohort study included postmenopausal women diagnosed with a first primary nonmetastatic breast cancer between 1992–2017. All participants had genetically determined European ancestry and were part of a large prospective nutrition cohort across 21 United States states.
Investigators calculated a polygenic score for body mass index using 941 single nucleotide variants identified in genome wide association data from approximately 700,000 individuals. Deaths through 2020 were ascertained via linkage with the National Death Index. Hazard ratios were derived using Cox proportional hazards regression models.
Among the 4,177 women included, the median age at diagnosis was 71.5 years. Survivors in the highest tertile of the polygenic score were more likely to have a body mass index of 30 or greater compared with those in the lowest tertile: 345 patients or 24.8% versus 172 patients or 12.4%.
During a median follow up of 14.5 years, 2,114 women died. Compared with survivors in the lowest tertile, those in the highest tertile had an increased risk of all-cause mortality: hazard ratio: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04–1.28.
Physical Activity to Offset Genetic Risk
Importantly, greater levels of walking were required to mitigate inherited risk. Women in the highest tertile of genetic predisposition needed approximately 1.7 hours per week more walking to achieve a similar mortality risk to those in the lowest tertile. This equates to around 15 minutes of additional walking per day.
Implications For Personalised Survivorship Care
These findings suggest that genetic predisposition to excess body weight contributes to survival disparities among breast cancer survivors. Incorporating genetic risk into lifestyle counselling may support more personalised recommendations, particularly about physical activity, to reduce long term mortality risk in this population.
Reference
Bodelon C et al. Genetic predisposition to excess body weight and survival in women diagnosed with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9;(1):e2553687.