New study says larger skirt size may increase breast cancer risk

It is so important that we all–regardless of age, gender or profession–take care of ourselves. But this is an especially important reminder for nurses, who often spend so much time devoted to the well-being of others that they forget to take care of themselves.

After a long shift spent running around, it’s often difficult to want to exercise, especially since you’ve been on your feet all day. But, as you already know, it’s so important to your well-being–both mentally and physically–to get in your workouts whenever you can. Even if that means scheduling them in each week!

One of the big motivations for staying on top of your healthy lifestyle? A new study reveals that skirt size may be a warning factor highlighting those more at risk for developing breast cancer.

While adult weight gain is already known as a risk factor for breast cancer, the new UK study published in BMJ Open finds that a thickening waist puts women at particular risk.

“Our study has shown that an increase of one size every 10 years between 25 and postmenopausal age [over 60] is associated with an increase of breast cancer [risk] in postmenopausal women by 33 percent,” said Dr. Usha Menon, the lead researcher of the study, according to Healthday.com.

Increasing two sizes every 10 years (from age 25) put the increased risk at 77 percent.

The researched looked at 93,000 women over the age of 50 between 2005 and 2010. All the women had gone through menopause and had no known breast cancer at the time they began participating in the study.

The study notes that the research suggests the fat around the waist may be more metabolically active than fat elsewhere on the body. However, more research needs to be performed to better understand this relationship.