GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy may help lower breast cancer risk by 30%

• A retrospective study suggests that GLP-1 use amongst those with overweight or obesity was linked to a substantially lower risk of breast cancer.
• The association remained significant after matching for key risk factors, such as age, race, ethnicity, BMI, breast density, and diabetes status, suggesting the findings were not solely due to differences between groups.
• Researchers suggest multiple biological mechanisms may be involved, including reducing inflammation and altering pathways that may play a role in cancer development.
• However, the study cannot determine whether GLP-1 drugs directly prevent breast cancer, but supports further clinical research to investigate whether they could serve as a breast cancer prevention strategy.

Overweight and obesity are well-established risk factors for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. Excess body fat can lead to increased estrogen production by adipose tissue, which may stimulate the growth of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers.

Obesity is also associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and elevated levels of insulin-like growth factors, all of which can promote cancer development and progression. Studies have also shown that females with obesity may have a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence and poorer survival outcomes.

Maintaining a healthy body weight is an important strategy for reducing breast cancer risk. GLP-1 receptor agonists are drugs that help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, thereby promoting substantial weight loss. Growing research suggests a potential association between GLP-1 drugs and a reduced overall risk of cancer.

Now, a large observational study adds to this evidence, suggesting that women taking GLP-1 drugs were significantly less likely to develop breast cancer than those who were not prescribed the medications.

The findings, presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and published simultaneously in JCO Oncology Practice, suggest those taking GLP-1 medications had approximately 30% lower odds of developing breast cancer compared with non-users.

The results have prompted a clinical trial to determine whether the association reflects a true protective effect.