Vol. 8, Issue 3, Part C (2025)

Background: Hormonal therapy is a cornerstone in the management of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. While its efficacy in reducing recurrence and improving survival is well established, therapy is often accompanied by metabolic alterations, particularly weight gain, which may influence prognosis and quality of life.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate changes in weight and body mass index (BMI) among women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy and to explore the influence of dietary index and demographic factors on these outcomes.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at Baqubah Teaching Hospital, Diyala, Iraq, from January to September 2025. A total of 346 women with breast cancer undergoing hormonal therapy were enrolled. Baseline demographic data, dietary index, and physical activity were recorded. Weight and BMI were measured before therapy initiation and reassessed after 16 weeks. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 44.2±8.7 years, with the majority in the 40-49 age group (34.7%). Significant increases were observed in weight (78.72 → 79.98 kg; p=0.0001) and BMI (31.25 → 31.81 kg/m²; p=0.0001) after therapy. At baseline, women with low dietary index had higher mean weight (86.39±17.76 kg) and BMI (33.42±6.27 kg/m²) compared to medium and high index groups. Post-therapy, these differences were no longer statistically significant, suggesting hormonal therapy as the dominant factor influencing weight gain.

Conclusion: Hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients leads to significant weight and BMI increases within a short treatment period, overshadowing the effects of dietary and demographic factors. These findings highlight the importance of weight monitoring and supportive interventions during treatment to mitigate adverse metabolic outcomes.