Metabolic Syndrome in Breast Cancer Survivors

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  Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. 

  Components of metabolic syndrome include:

  • Increased blood pressure
  • High blood sugar 
  • Excess body fat around the waist 
  • Abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels 

• Some breast cancer treatments may be associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. 
• Metabolic syndrome in breast cancer survivors is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, and possibly a higher risk of cancer recurrence. 
• Adipose tissue has the ability to convert androgen precursors, which are synthesized in the adrenal glands and ovaries, to estrogen through the action of enzymes. This mechanism leads to an increase in estrogen production and levels. As a result, obese breast cancer survivors may have elevated levels of circulating estrogens, which could potentially promote the recurrence of tumors.  
  • Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3462378/ 

• • For the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, your doctor can help you measure the waist circumference and blood pressure in the clinic, and order blood tests for blood glucose and lipids. 
  • Your doctor may discuss with you about starting anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic or lipid-lowering medications depending on the assessment results. 

  

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important in both prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, including:

• Adequate physical activity: targeting 150 minutes per week of moderately intense physical activity
• Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean protein and whole grains
• Limiting saturated fat and salt in your diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol 

Written by Dr. David Lui, Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong.