GLP-1 Drugs May Improve Breast Cancer Survival, Lower Risk of Recurrence

A recent study found that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may improve breast cancer survival and recurrence in those with obesity and related health conditions. The findings suggest that GLP-1 medications were associated with a lower risk of mortality in those with type 2 diabetes than insulin or metformin alone. Experts say that while the findings are promising, more research is still needed.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for 30% of all new female cancers each year. As GLP-1 medications become a widespread option for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, a recent study examined their effects on breast cancer outcomes. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open , show that for those with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or both, the use of GLP-1 drugs helped improve breast cancer survival rates and lower the odds of recurrence. “[Breast cancer] patients with obesity or pre-existing type 2 diabetes often face more complex breast cancer journeys, ” said lead study author Kristina L. Tatum , PsyD, MS, an instructor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health at Virginia Commonwealth University. “ Our findings are encouraging because they suggest that GLP-1RA use may be associated with improved survival and lower recurrence among these patients ,” Tatum told Healthline. “While causation cannot be confirmed from this observational study, the findings provide important data for clinicians and patients with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes to consider as we continue to learn more about the possibilities of GLP-1RA therapies in breast cancer survivorship,” she said. adults having used a GLP-1, like Ozempic , Wegovy , and Mounjaro , at some point, including 40% with diabetes and 25% with heart disease, the broader health implications of this class of drugs are of increasing interest to researchers. While the effects of GLP-1 drugs on breast cancer warrant further investigation, the relationship between obesity and cancer may play a role. In fact, overweight and obesity are known risk factors for breast cancer . Having excess weight also increases the risk of breast cancer recurrence. GLP-1 medications, which are highly effective for weight loss, could therefore help lower these risks, as the new study suggests.

Key points

• Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for 30% of all new female cancers each year.
• As GLP-1 medications become a widespread option for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, a recent study examined their effects on breast cancer outcomes.
• The findings, published in JAMA Network Open , show that for those with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or both, the use of GLP-1 drugs helped improve breast cancer survival rates and lower the odds of r…
• “[Breast cancer] patients with obesity or pre-existing type 2 diabetes often face more complex breast cancer journeys, ” said lead study author Kristina L.
• Tatum , PsyD, MS, an instructor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health at Virginia Commonwealth University.