Extra Body Fat May Raise Breast Cancer Risk, No Matter Your Weight

Older women who carry some extra body fat may face a heightened risk of breast cancer — even if their weight is normal, a new study finds. “This suggests women should not just concentrate on weight,” said Mia Gaudet, strategic director of breast and gynecologic cancer research for the American Cancer Society. “Instead, they should focus on doing things that can help reduce body fat levels — like a healthy diet and regular exercise,” said Gaudet, who was not involved in the study. Past research has found that overweight and obese women generally have a higher risk of developing breast cancer after menopause. But doctors have long relied on body mass index (BMI) to tell whether people are normal weight or not. The problem is, BMI does not distinguish between fat, muscle and bone. So, it’s an imprecise gauge of