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Dr. Dalliah Black (left), The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy and Certified Diabetes Educator Kelly O'Connor, RD, LD, The Diabetes Center

Dr. Dalliah Black of the Hoffberger Breast Center and Kelly O'Connor of the Diabetes Center At Mercy Discuss Possible Link Between Insulin and Breast Cancer In Postmenopausal Women

Could a hormone taken by millions of diabetes patients to regulate blood sugar levels cause a killer disease?

Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University recently reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, that higher-than-normal levels of insulin place postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer. Their findings suggest that interventions that target insulin and its signaling pathways may decrease breast cancer risk in these women.

Harriett Jessup has been battling Type 2 diabetes for 15 years. Every day, the great-grandmother takes insulin to regulate her blood sugar levels.

"In the morning, I take 40 units before I eat," she said.

In the evening, she takes 20 units.

It's a hormone taken by many of the nation's 23 million diabetics. Now, a recent study finds increased insulin levels can raise the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

"Those patients who had higher insulin levels were 46% more likely to get breast cancer," said Dr. Dalliah Black, breast cancer surgeon with the Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy.

According to Dr. Black, obesity leads to hormone imbalances that can contribute to higher than normal levels of insulin. Those increased levels have been shown to stimulate the growth of breast cells.

"Obesity is a problem, not only for diabetes and general health risk, but also has a role somehow with cancer development," she said.

Mercy certified diabetes educator Kelly O'Connor, RD, LD, recommends a healthy diet and weight management to keep insulin levels in check.

"If you're watching your carbs and maintaining a healthy weight and diet, that does control your insulin production somewhat," O'Connor said.

It's a concern for Harriett, who two years ago became a breast cancer patient. Fortunately, doctors found the cancer early. She's had a lumpectomy and several radiation treatments.

"I consider myself a survivor. I haven't had any symptoms or anything like that," she said.

Obesity is an established risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer, but just how they are connected is not yet clear. The link may be the hormone, estrogen, which has been found to heighten breast-cancer risk, but obese women also have other hormonal imbalances that may play a role in breast cancer development, including elevated insulin levels, which stimulate the growth of breast cells in tissue culture.

The findings have important implications for the prevention and possible treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer. Research is needed to focus on how best to reduce insulin's effects on cell growth and replication in the breast while preserving its positive metabolic effects.

Staying active is important, even if you don't have diabetes. Studies have shown 30 minutes of brisk activity every day--like walking--can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise can also reduce the recurrence of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Last year, approximately 182,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 died from the disease. The majority of breast cancers arise in women past the age of menopause.