Influence of obesity on breast cancer development in relation to menopausal status (Review)

Breast cancer (BC) ranks as the second most prevalent malignant tumor among women globally, posing a significant threat to female health. Obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for both the development and progression of BC. Nevertheless, due to the complex mechanism through which obesity affects BC, coupled with the considerable variations in hormone levels, metabolic states, and treatment responses between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, epidemiological studies examining the relationship between obesity and BC incidence often produce inconsistent results. Consequently, it is imperative to stratify analyses by menopausal status to elucidate the specific impact of obesity on BC and to inform targeted prevention strategies.