Latest news with #AmandaKucinskas
New York Post
7 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Mounjaro boobs? Weight loss drug can shrink breast cancer tumors, says new study
Turns out that GLP-1 drugs aren't just slimming waistlines — they're shrinking tumors, too. A new study reports that mice shed about 20% of their body weight and saw their breast cancer tumors decrease after getting injected with tirzepatide, which is sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity. 'Obesity is a significant risk factor for breast cancer,' said study author Amanda Kucinskas, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan. 4 Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, excluding skin cancers. okrasiuk – 'And while it is very preliminary data, our studies in mice suggest that these new anti-obesity drugs may be a way to reduce obesity-associated breast cancer risk or improve outcomes.' Tirzepatide is part of a class of GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, that reduce appetite by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating. Tirzepatide also mimics the effects of GIP, a gut hormone that stimulates insulin release and influences fat storage and appetite. For the new study, 16 young mice with breast cancer were fattened up and kept in a warm home to encourage obesity. 4 Tirzepatide is sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity. K KStock – The mice were then given tirzepatide or a placebo every other day for 16 weeks. The researchers measured their tumor volumes twice a week, finding that as the mice shed the pounds and the fat stored in their livers, their tumors shrank accordingly. The findings were presented this month at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting. 'While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes,' Kucinskas said. 4 A new study reports that mice shed about 20% of their body weight and saw their breast cancer tumors decrease after getting injected with tirzepatide. romaset – Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, besides skin cancer. One in eight American women will likely be diagnosed with it at some point. There are several reasons why obesity is a major risk factor for breast cancer. 'Obesity causes widespread inflammation throughout the entire body, deregulating the balance of cell growth patterns, body defenses and the gut microbiome,' Dr. Sue Decotiis — an NYC-based medical weight loss doctor, who was not involved in the new study — told The Post. 'Even a modest reduction of fat could have an important anti-inflammatory effect.' Excess abdominal fat can also lead to higher estrogen levels. Hormonal imbalances promote breast cancer development, Decotiis said. Plus, obesity is often associated with higher-than-normal levels of insulin in the blood, which can stimulate the production of estrogen in fat tissue. 'In my clinical weight loss practice, all secondary benefits from GLP-1 drugs occurred in patients who lost not weight, but a significant reduction in fat,' Decotiis said. 4 Obesity is a major risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. Choi_ Nikolai – Although GLP-1 meds have been hailed as 'wonder drugs,' there are risks associated with them. Side effects can include gastrointestinal distress and, less often, hair loss and skin pain. Blindness and behavioral changes can occur in very rare cases. Decotiis noted that tirzepatide is often better tolerated than the other meds because it can cause less nausea and vomiting while also spurring more weight loss. Meanwhile, research continues on the potential for these drugs to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, improve sleep apnea, reduce alcohol cravings and treat liver disease, among other conditions. 'Hold on to your hats and buckle up as this category of drug grows and we see more of their wide range of positive effects and learn more about their mechanisms,' Decotiis said.
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
New link between ‘King Kong' of fat jabs and breast cancer, discovered – are you affected?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT seems every week there's a new claim about what fat jabs can cure - beyond banishing that belly. The so-called skinny jabs - that were initially designed as treatment for type 2 diabetes, could lower the risk of breast cancer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Mounjaro has been dubbed the 'King Kong' of fat jabs for its powerful weight-loss effects Credit: Getty 3 Scientists are exploring how this jab could help prevent cancer Credit: Getty Since exploding onto the weight loss scene, GLP-1 drugs have been found to come with extra beneficial side effects, according to various studies. They range from lowering the risk of heart disease, dementia, lung disease, depression as well as increasing libido and helping to combat addiction to booze and drugs. And now, scientists in the US have found another pro to the seemingly "miracle" drugs, specifially tirzepatide, the ingredient behind Mounjaro, may "significantly" slow the growth of breast cancer tumour. That said, the experiments were conducted on mice and so the experts cautioned further research was necessary to confirm their findings. The authors from the University of Michigan also didn't speculate on why the drug, nicknamed the 'King Kong' of all fat jabs for its effectiveness, might lower a patient's risk of cancer It comes as breakthrough research in May revealed that GLP-1s could help ward off up to dozens types of cancer, including breast. "While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes," study author, Amanda Kucinskas, said. For the study, researchers tracked 16 obese mice with breast cancer tumors, which were made obese by feeding them a high-fat diet starting at nine weeks old. When the mice reached 32 weeks, middle age for a mouse, they were split into two groups. One group received tirzepatide injections every other day for 16 weeks, while the other was given a placebo. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons Throughout the treatment, the team monitored the mice's weight and tumor size twice weekly. Those treated with tirzepatide lost about 20 per cent of their body weight, mirroring weight loss seen in humans taking the drug Mounjaro over long periods. Additionally, these mice developed noticeably smaller tumors. The study highlighted a strong connection between reduced body weight and smaller tumors, with fat mass playing a key role in tumor growth. Most of the fat loss came from the body's main fat stores, which is called adipose tissue. What are the signs of breast cancer? BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer. If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following: a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood) a lump or swelling in either of your armpits dimpling on the skin of your breasts a rash on or around your nipple a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Source: NHS These findings were unveiled this week at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual conference held in San Francisco. This research supports earlier findings shared at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in May, which suggested GLP-1 drugs might reduce the risk of 14 obesity-related cancers, including breast cancer, in diabetic patients. In that study, US researchers found that patients taking GLP-1 therapies had a 7 per cent lower chance of developing obesity-related cancers compared to those on DPP-4 inhibitors. When accounting for overall health benefits, the GLP-1 group was also 8 per cent less likely to die over a decade. 3
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
New link between ‘King Kong' of fat jabs and breast cancer, discovered – are you affected?
IT seems every week there's a new claim about what fat jabs can cure - beyond banishing that belly. The so-called skinny jabs - that were initially designed as treatment for type 2 diabetes, could lower the risk of breast cancer. 3 Since exploding onto the weight loss scene, GLP-1 drugs have been found to come with extra beneficial side effects, according to various studies. They range from lowering the risk of heart disease, dementia, lung disease, depression as well as increasing libido and helping to combat addiction to booze and drugs. And now, scientists in the US have found another pro to the seemingly "miracle" drugs, specifially tirzepatide, the ingredient behind Mounjaro, may "significantly" slow the growth of breast cancer tumour. That said, the experiments were conducted on mice and so the experts cautioned further research was necessary to confirm their findings. The authors from the University of Michigan also didn't speculate on why the drug, nicknamed the 'King Kong' of all fat jabs for its effectiveness, might lower a patient's risk of cancer It comes as breakthrough research in May revealed that GLP-1s could help ward off up to dozens types of cancer, including breast. "While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes," study author, Amanda Kucinskas, said. For the study, researchers tracked 16 obese mice with breast cancer tumors, which were made obese by feeding them a high-fat diet starting at nine weeks old. When the mice reached 32 weeks, middle age for a mouse, they were split into two groups. One group received tirzepatide injections every other day for 16 weeks, while the other was given a placebo. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons Throughout the treatment, the team monitored the mice's weight and tumor size twice weekly. Those treated with tirzepatide lost about 20 per cent of their body weight, mirroring weight loss seen in humans taking the drug Mounjaro over long periods. Additionally, these mice developed noticeably smaller tumors. The study highlighted a strong connection between reduced body weight and smaller tumors, with fat mass playing a key role in tumor growth. Most of the fat loss came from the body's main fat stores, which is called adipose tissue. What are the signs of breast cancer? BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer. If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following: a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood) a lump or swelling in either of your armpits dimpling on the skin of your breasts a rash on or around your nipple a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Source: NHS These findings were unveiled this week at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual conference held in San Francisco. This research supports earlier findings shared at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in May, which suggested GLP-1 drugs might reduce the risk of 14 obesity-related cancers, including breast cancer, in diabetic patients. In that study, US researchers found that patients taking GLP-1 therapies had a 7 per cent lower chance of developing obesity-related cancers compared to those on DPP-4 inhibitors. When accounting for overall health benefits, the GLP-1 group was also 8 per cent less likely to die over a decade. 3 Step-by-step guide on how to check boobs thoroughly Stand in front of a mirror with your hands by your sides, then above your head and place your hands on your hips and push in on your hips slightly. In each position, look for any changes in breast size or shape, and any new asymmetry, lumps or changes in outline. Look to see if your nipple is pointing in a different direction or has turned inwards (if you have always had inverted nipples, this is normal for you and not of concern). Check if there is any nipple discharge or crusting, any rashes, darker or red patches, or other changes such as the appearance of cellulite or if the skin is like orange peel. Feel the whole of the chest area with your finger pads, including the breast tissue that extends up to the collarbone and into the armpit. You are feeling for changes such as a lump, thickening or bumpy area. It does not matter exactly how you examine your breasts, be it in sections like a quarter at a time, or starting from the nipple and working outwards in circular motions, just that you examine the whole area. If you do notice any changes, see your GP.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover new link between Mounjaro and BREAST cancer
Mounjaro could help slash the risk of breast cancer tumours developing, exciting new research has suggested. The game-changing weight loss jabs have ushered in a new era in the war on obesity, but have also been linked to other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease. Now, scientists have discovered that tirzepatide—the ingredient behind Mounjaro—may 'significantly' slow the growth of breast cancer tumours. American scientists, who carried out the trial, said the findings on mice show the drugs have a 'beneficial impact' on women with the disease. However, they cautioned further research was necessary to confirm their findings. Researchers also didn't speculate why the drug, which belong to class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, might lower a patient's chances of cancer. It comes as breakthrough research in May revealed that GLP-1s could help ward off up to 14 types of cancer including breast. Studies have also suggested obesity is a major risk factor in breast cancer returning and weight loss could improve outcomes. The game-changing weight loss jabs have ushered in a new era in the war on obesity, but have also been linked to other health benefits, such as slashing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease Amanda Kucinskas, a research fellow in obesity and breast cancer risk at the University of Michigan and study author, said: 'While it is very preliminary data, our studies in mice suggest that these new anti-obesity drugs may be a way to reduce obesity-associated breast cancer risk or improve outcomes. 'While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes,' In the study, researchers tracked 16 nine-week-old mice with breast cancer tumours who were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity. At 32 weeks old—roughly middle age for a mouse—the obese animals were divided into two groups. One group received tirzepatide injections every other day for 16 weeks, and the other a placebo. Scientists then measured the mice's weight and tumour growth twice a week. They found mice on the medication lost around a fifth of their body weight—roughly the average weight lost by patients taking Mounjaro long term. The fat loss occurred mainly in adipose tissue, the body's fat-storing cells. Mice treated with tirzepatide also had significantly smaller tumors, the scientists said. There was a 'clear link' between lower body weight and smaller tumor size, while total fat mass was also 'strongly linked' to how large the tumors became, they added. However, they cautioned that exactly how tirzepatide slowed tumour growth was not yet understood and further tests, including in humans, would first be necessary. The findings were presented in full this week at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco. It comes as research presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual conference in May suggested GLP-1s could slash the risk of 14 obesity-related cancer—including breast—for people with diabetes. US scientists found those on GLP-1s had a 7 per cent lower risk of developing an obesity-related cancer than patients on DDP-4 inhibitors, another diabetes medication. When other health benefits were factored in, these patients were also 8 per cent less likely to die over the 10-year period. In December, groundbreaking research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium also suggested the jabs could also help protect against breast cancer returning. One study of more than 1,000 patients by the University of Texas found obese patients who took the drugs for just over a year after finishing treatment on average had a 'significantly improved' chance of living longer. However, surprisingly, they also found patients taking hormone drugs such as tamoxifen—given to many women to stop breast cancer recurrence—gained weight, despite using the jabs. At the time, experts told MailOnline they were unsure why this happened. But they suggested it may be because hormone therapy typically causes patients to gain weight, meaning the jabs aren't able to work effectively. For these patients, 'we may need to go up to a higher dose', Professor Neil Iyengar, then an oncologist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, said.
