Weight gain is an important issue in breast cancer (BC) survivors with a familial risk, according to a 4-year study of 303 BC survivors and 307 cancer-free women matched on age and menopausal status, from the same familial risk cohort. Researchers found:

•Overall, BC survivors gained significantly more weight (3.06 pounds) than cancer-free women.

•Significant weight gain was seen in BC survivors diagnosed less than 5 years prior to baseline (3.81 pounds) and in those with estrogen receptor-negative tumors (7.26 pounds).

•BC survivors treated with chemotherapy were 2.1 times more likely to gain at least 11 pounds during follow-up compared with cancer-free women.

•Weight gain was even greater among BC survivors who took statins during chemotherapy.

Citation: Gross AL, May BJ, Axilbund JE, Armstrong DK, Roden RBS, Visvanathan K. Weight change in breast cancer survivors compared to cancer-free women: a prospective study in women at familial risk of breast cancer. [Published online ahead of print July 15, 2015]. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.