Insulin: High Levels | Breast Cancer | Connection

Breast Cancer and Insulin Resistance

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. It’s especially important to highlight this during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer risk is influenced by both genetics and health factors such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome includes conditions like hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, high cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides. These factors are also risk factors for heart disease. What all of these health conditions have in common is insulin resistance (IR).

Insulin resistance goes hand-in-hand with high insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia). The metabolic conditions listed above are often blamed on obesity. However, it’s not just body fat but overall metabolic health that appears to be linked with an increased risk of breast cancer.

While excess insulin is often associated with obesity, some overweight women have normal insulin levels, while some women of normal weight have elevated insulin. It’s the high insulin levels that seem to be the true driver of health risks. Research has shown that high insulin increases the risk of recurrence and even death in women with early-stage breast cancer.

What Can You Do About This?

Always consult with your doctor to get a comprehensive medical opinion on your health needs.

Exercise

Exercise regularly, aiming for 5 to 7 days a week. Physical activity, especially cardiovascular exercise, makes your muscles more responsive to insulin, meaning you will need less insulin to regulate your blood sugar. This reduction in insulin levels is a significant health benefit of exercise.

Diet

Avoid foods that cause large insulin spikes, such as sugar and refined flour. Focus on consuming protein with every meal, and include healthy fats as well. Don’t eat carbohydrates alone—pair them with protein and healthy fats. Vegetables, which are low-insulin triggers, are the exception to this rule. In general, aim for balanced meals to help regulate insulin levels.