Introduction/Background It is well known that obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Considering its high prevalence, obesity is an important risk factor for cancer. Obesity is not only associated with new cancer cases but also with more advanced cancer disease and increased cancer mortality. Hormone - related cancers, such as endometrial and breast cancers, have both been associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for achieving weight loss and sustaining normal weight in patients with obesity.

Methodology The present study is a review of literature.

Results Bariatric surgery has been shown to reduce the overall cancer risk in patients with obesity. Regarding breast cancer, several large - scale studies and meta-analyses have shown significant reduction in the risk of breast cancer in women undergoing bariatric surgery, with an odds ratio of 0.25–0.5. Mechanisms that have been proposed as contributors to the increased risk between obesity and breast cancer include estrogen excess through increased aromatase activity in adipose tissue, insulin resistance and increased circulating glucose, that have both shown to be growth factors for cellular proliferation, and obesity-related pro-inflammatory state with higher levels of interleukins, TNF, and adipokines.

Conclusion Bariatric surgery may protect obese patients from breast cancer. Weight loss and bariatric surgery may be suggested to obese women as an additional preventative modality.

Disclosure Nothing to disclose.