Healthy Living: Local News
Big Babies Linked To Breast Cancer Risk
Tools
Story Updated: Jul 19, 2012
(WKBW/ABC News) Big babies are burden enough for expectant moms.
Now, new research shows there may be another price to pay after
childbirth.
Researchers already knew that having larger babies can mean increased risk of future breast cancer for mothers.
Results of a new study may be the most definitive yet.
Scientists examined data from 410 women from 1991 to 2008.
They found that those who delivered babies in the top twenty percent for
weight -- at least eight and a quarter pounds -- were almost three times more likely to develop breast cancer.
They also found that mothers with the heaviest babies were more likely to
have biomarker levels associated with breast cancer risk.
Why?
The authors say the hormonal changes associated with heavier babies may be responsible for the greater breast cancer risk to moms.