Association between Weight, Body Mass Index, and Breast Cancer Stage in Iranian Women

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a type of cancer developed in the breast organ. Breast cancer occurs when breast tissue cells get out of the control of the cell cycle checkpoints and proliferate abnormally. Breast cancer rates are rising in developing Asian countries, especially Iran. Identifying people with early-stage breast cancer is of great importance, as it can prevent death. Materials & Methods: Data were extracted on the variables of height, weight, breast cancer stage, and body mass index (BMI) related to 109 female patients under treatment for breast cancer who had visited Namazi hospital, Shiraz, during the early stages of the symptoms between the years 2017-2019. In this study, the ANOVA test was used to compare the mean BMI scores at different breast cancer stages. Results: Our results showed a significant difference between mean BMI and breast cancer stage. As the stage of breast cancer in patients increased, the BMI increased as well. Entering advanced stages of breast cancer greatly increased the BMI. Age had no effect on the increase or decrease of BMI. Individuals with BMIs above 30 had stages 3 and 4 of breast cancer (P≤0.5). Discussion: Increased BMI and obesity are prognostic factors for advanced breast cancer stages and the mortality resulting from it. Therefore, early detection of the disease is an essential factor for prevention.