You may have already heard about the positive impact GLP-1 drugs can have on weight loss. However, some health professionals are interested in other ways the drugs may help. In a recent study, researchers dug into how taking GLP-1 drugs may also reduce someone’s risk of developing breast cancer. Their discovery may make a difference for vulnerable populations like Black women who are more prone to dying from the condition.
Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025. In this study, they assessed the electronic medical records of 217,025 patients. The participants were women aged 45 to 80 years who had been prescribed GLP-1 drugs and had a body mass index (BMI) above or equal to 25. These women underwent breast imaging for the purpose of detecting breast cancer. Additionally, the participants were of diverse backgrounds. Overall, about 60 percent of participants were white, about 30 percent were Black, and about 10 percent were another race or unknown.
At the end of the study, researchers found that exposure to GLP-1 drugs was associated with a reduced incidence of breast cancer that was independent of BMI, race, ethnicity, age, breast density, and living with diabetes. Based on their findings, the researchers estimated that the participants had about a 30 percent reduced incidence of breast cancer.
Different factors sparked interest in a possible correlation between GLP-1 drugs and lower breast cancer incidence. For example, another analysis revealed that some people who underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss also experienced a reduction in breast cancer incidence. Given that GLP-1 drugs are known to aid in weight loss, it’s possible that they could have a similar effect.
There is also some evidence that certain GLP-1 agonists can reduce the proliferation of cells that commonly lead to breast cancer. Exenatide and liraglutide have been shown to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in breast cancer cells, thereby impeding glycolytic metabolism and reducing cell proliferation and survival.
Interestingly, the importance of AMPK regulation in breast cancer has been studied before. In a 2017 paper, researchers suggested that cancer cells depended on energy availability to grow and spread. When AMPK is activated, though, it prompts cells to produce energy at the expense of growth. This action directly opposes what cancer cells need to thrive, so activating AMPK may prevent breast cancer cells from growing and spreading.
This is only the tip of the iceberg, but the researchers are suggesting that it should open the gates for further study into how GLP-1 drugs could be used as a preventive measure for breast cancer.
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Although GLP-1 drugs may affect breast cancer incidence in different ways, one likely factor is how they lead to weight loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being overweight or obese has long been linked to an increased risk of developing different types of cancer. For adults, a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered overweight, whereas a BMI of 30.0 or higher is considered obese.
Based on a review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in April 2016, it was determined that being overweight or obese carried a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with certain types of cancer. These are adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, breast (in women who have gone through menopause), colon, rectum, uterus, gallbladder, upper stomach, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid, meningioma (a type of brain cancer), and multiple myeloma.
Although the link is still being studied, it’s been suggested that being overweight may lead to cancer in different ways. One suggestion is that fat tissue can release excess estrogen, which has a known link to the development of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Furthermore, obesity can cause inflammation in the body, and chronic inflammation may also lead to the development of certain types of cancer.
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The importance of these findings to Black women is twofold. Not only do they have a higher incidence of dying from breast cancer and being diagnosed with more aggressive forms of the condition, but they are also more likely to be overweight. In fact, the statistics from the US Department of Health and Human Services show that Black American adults were 28 percent more likely to be classified as obese in 2024.
In 2023, Black teenagers showed even more troubling numbers. Boys were eight percent more likely than their peers to be considered obese. Girls were a whopping 55 percent more likely to be considered obese when compared to their peers.
When looking at the numbers across states, Black adults were also far more likely to be overweight or obese when compared to other ethnicities. Of 47 states, one territory, and DC, 41 of those areas had a Black population with a 35 percent or higher obesity rate.
Even more troubling, many Americans, including Black Americans, aren’t exercising as often as they should. While it’s recommended that adults get at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, including muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week, Black adults are up to three percent less likely than U.S. adults overall to meet the given guidelines.
That number may not seem significant, but the overall statistics for physical activity in America can put that in perspective. According to the CDC, only one in four Americans meets the recommended exercise guidelines. This is concerning as doctors recommend being physically active for many health benefits–including a decreased risk of developing chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. It’s also typically listed as a possible preventive measure for breast cancer.
While more research needs to be done to explore how GLP-1 drugs can help to reduce breast cancer risk, the current findings seem promising. In the meantime, you should talk to your doctor about different ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. If you feel like you would be a good candidate for GLP-1 drugs, then there may be even more benefits to your health than previously thought.
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