A new study says the growing obesity problem may have contributed to an increase in breast cancer among American men over the past 25 years.
The findings, carried on the online version of Cancer, the American Cancer Society's journal, show the number of cases in the U-S climbed by 26 percent between 1973 and 1998. Women saw a 52 percent increase in breast cancer cases during the same time period.
The epidemiology chief at the American Cancer Society says the study "raises suspicion" that obesity may be responsible for the rise in breast cancer. Doctor Michael Thun (TOON) says fat tissue produces estrogen, which in turn can lead to breast cancer.
Obesity already is known to be associated with several cancers, including those of the cervix, prostate, kidney and stomach.