What is an effect of higher levels of estrogen produced by fat tissue?

Higher levels of estrogen produced by adipose (fat) tissue can significantly impact breast cancer risk. This is because estrogen is a hormone that can promote the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells. When there is an excess of fat tissue, especially in postmenopausal women, this tissue can produce more estrogen, leading to increased circulating levels of the hormone in the body.

The connection between elevated estrogen levels and breast cancer risk is well established in medical research. Estrogen can stimulate the proliferation of breast epithelial cells, which in turn raises the likelihood of mutations and the development of cancerous cells. As such, maintaining balanced hormone levels, through a healthy weight and lifestyle, is often emphasized to lower the risk of hormone-related cancers, including breast cancer.

Understanding this relationship highlights the importance of managing body weight and composition, especially in populations at higher risk of breast cancer. Thus, the increase in breast cancer risk associated with higher estrogen levels from fat tissue underscores the critical role of hormonal balance in cancer prevention strategies.