Journalist Miranda Levy describes being diagnosed with an early-stage invasive breast cancer at 58 after a routine mammogram and ultrasound led to a biopsy. Following a lumpectomy, she is awaiting radiotherapy and says chemotherapy is not expected; she then examines whether being overweight may have contributed to her risk, while recognising that no single cause can be established for an individual case.

The article notes that her BMI was 28.7, within the overweight range, and cites a breast surgeon who says excess body fat can increase post-menopausal breast-cancer risk through inflammation, insulin resistance and hormonal changes including higher oestrogen production. Age is also a major non-modifiable factor: the surgeon says 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50, alongside genetic background and family history. Levy had begun using the weight-loss drug Mounjaro before her diagnosis and reports that her surgeon encouraged her to continue it.