In a recent study published in the JAMA Surgery , a group of researchers investigated the association between bariatric surgery and breast cancer incidence in women and determined if baseline insulin levels influence the benefit of bariatric surgery on breast cancer risk. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Obesity, a major risk factor, worsens disease outcomes and is rising globally, increasing breast cancer incidence.
Insulin, a cellular growth factor, mediates cancer risk in obesity. Bariatric surgery, effective for weight loss and reducing insulin levels, has shown reduced overall cancer incidence, particularly female-specific cancers. Retrospective studies suggest bariatric surgery reduces breast cancer incidence, but further research is needed to verify this reduction and understand the underlying biological mechanisms.
The present Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study enrolled 4,047 participants with obesity, aged 37 to 60 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 34 or greater for men and 38 or greater for women. Participants were recruited in Sweden from 1987 to 2001. The surgery group included 2010 participants undergoing various bariatric procedures, while a matched control group of 2037 participants received usual care.
Baseline and follow-up examinations were conducted at multiple intervals up to 20 years, including blood samples and questionnaires. Breast cancer events identified through the Swedish Can.