New link between ‘King Kong' of fat jabs and breast cancer, discovered – are you affected?
The so-called skinny jabs - that were initially designed as treatment for type 2 diabetes, could lower the risk of breast cancer.
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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.
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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.
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