Obesity might block breast cancer treatment, New Zealand study claims

WELLINGTON: Obesity could hinder the effects of a common drug that is used as part of a treatment to fight breast cancer in post-menopausal women, New Zealand scientists said Wednesday.

Aromatase inhibitor (AI) drugs stopped the production of oestrogen which stimulated the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells, but they could be less effective in obese women because of the greater quantity of aromatase in peripheral fatty tissue, said Auckland University cancer epidemiologist Professor Mark Elwood.