A recent breast cancer diagnosis at age 58 prompted Miranda Levy to examine the role of body weight in her condition. Levy, who was overweight at the time of her diagnosis, with a BMI of 28.7, found her experience underscored the well-documented link between excess body fat and an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in post-menopausal women.
Mr. Naren Basu, a consultant breast and oncoplastic surgeon at the University of Birmingham, explained that while factors like aging and genetics are fixed risks for breast cancer, body weight is a significant modifiable risk. Fat cells can promote chronic low-grade inflammation, which may encourage tumor growth and spread. Excess fat can also lead to insulin resistance and hormonal changes, including increased estrogen production, both of which are implicated in breast cancer development.
Levy's journey into overweight status began in her mid-40s, coinciding with a period of significant personal stress following the end of her marriage. This led to insomnia, anxiety, and depression, which were treated with various psychiatric medications. Levy noted that some of these medications, including antidepressants, were associated with substantial weight gain, alongside changes in diet and activity levels. She described intense carbohydrate cravings and a sedentary lifestyle during this time, where her weight increased dramatically, reaching nearly 15 stone by 2019, placing her in the seriously obese category.
Reclaiming Health and Managing Risk
Recognizing the impact on her health, Levy began a process of reducing her psychiatric medications and adopting a healthier lifestyle. This involved a return to cooking with fresh ingredients and increasing physical activity, initially with a personal trainer and progressing to running and resistance training. These changes contributed to significant weight loss. She also met her current husband during this period, who was supportive of her efforts.
Despite progress, Levy found her weight plateaued. In the autumn of 2024, she began using Mounjaro, a weight-loss drug, after its licensing for weight loss in the UK. Initial experiences were challenging, but subsequent use in early 2025 led to a stone of weight loss by the end of May. Tragically, by mid-June, she received her breast cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Research UK highlights that obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer, with a direct correlation between risk and the duration of being overweight. Studies suggest that sustained weight loss can be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in women over 50.
Basu clarified that while cancer has a genetic component and is linked to aging, individuals can reduce their risk by managing modifiable factors. He also noted that later childbirth and alcohol consumption can increase breast cancer risk. Levy mentioned that her current use of Mounjaro has also led to reduced alcohol intake.
Levy is continuing her efforts to maintain a healthy weight through exercise, a balanced diet, and Mounjaro. At the time of writing, she has lost further weight and reduced her dress size. She expressed optimism for the future and stated her intention to avoid psychiatric drugs, which she believes caused more problems than they solved. She also hopes that by maintaining her weight loss, she can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
For support or information on breast cancer, individuals can contact Breast Cancer Now's helpline or visit their website.