The relationship between obesity and breast cancer

Abstract

Obesity and breast cancer are major health problems for African American women. Obesity has almost reached epidemic proportions in the United States and is more prevalent among African American women. The breast cancer mortality rate continues to rise in African Americans. A review of the recent literature was conducted to bring into focus the relationship of these two health problems as they relate to African American women. The discussion is divided into three topics, breast cancer incidence and mortality, obesity prevalence and incidence and the relationship between obesity and breast cancer. All of the studies reviewed revealed evidence of a linkage between obesity and breast cancer. The high prevalence of obesity among African American makes it likely that they bear a disproportionate burden of co-morbidities attributable to obesity including breast cancer.