Through surveys, researchers have found that the incidence of breast cancer in young women hospitalized for anorexia is only half that of women without anorexia. Researchers have explained that past studies have shown that weight gain is one of the causes of breast cancer. These findings, mostly derived from animal experiments, suggest that a significant restriction in calorie intake can have anti-aging effects, including a reduced incidence of cancer and a longer lifespan.
Breast Cancer and Women's Diet
Researchers believe that restricting calorie intake during youth helps limit the proliferation of breast cells, thereby reducing the chance of cells becoming cancerous. Furthermore, restricting calorie intake during puberty can reduce the secretion of estrogen and other hormones related to the development of breast cancer. Studies have shown that young women with anorexia often experience amenorrhea, indicating a significant decrease in their estrogen levels.
Although researchers cannot yet fully explain why young women with anorexia have a lower risk of breast cancer, the prevailing explanation is that anorexia leads to a decrease in estrogen levels in the body, which in turn reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.