Weight gain adds to breast cancer risk

Philadelphia -- A U.S. study finds that women who gain weight after being diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to die.

Data reported to the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Philadelphia showed that the risk increases 14 percent for every 11 pounds a woman puts on, The Daily Mail reported.

The study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health involved 4,000 women tracked by research centers in three states.

"Obesity was associated with risk of death even after accounting for age, menopausal status or smoking," said Hazel Nichols, a Johns Hopkins epidemiologist. "Our findings provide additional support for the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight and exercising."

Previous studies have shown that overweight women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Copyright 2007 by United Press International.