Which demographic shows a particularly increased risk of breast cancer due to obesity?

Postmenopausal women exhibit a particularly increased risk of breast cancer due to obesity, and this is largely attributed to the hormonal changes that occur during and after menopause. After menopause, the ovaries produce significantly lower levels of estrogen. However, fat tissue can produce estrogen as well, and in obese postmenopausal women, higher amounts of estrogen may lead to an increased risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

This risk is further amplified because obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which can contribute to cancer development. The excess adipose tissue can also secrete various bioactive substances that may promote tumor growth. Consequently, this demographic is particularly vulnerable, making awareness and screening crucial in managing breast cancer risk in these women.

Other groups, such as teenage girls or women in their 20s, do not experience the same level of risk increase due to the relationship between obesity and hormonal changes that primarily affect those who are postmenopausal. Pre-menopausal women may have different risk factors for breast cancer that are less directly linked to obesity compared to their postmenopausal counterparts.