Weight gain may increase breast cancer risk

Have you ever visited your parents house and stumbled upon a veritable time capsule in the attic? Old photos, mix tapes you made for your high school crush, and even old clothes -- items that you had all but forgotten about now stare you in the face, just begging to be taken with you on your instant trip down memory lane.

What do you do? Of course, you pop the mix tape into the old boom box you also found and press play; you sift through all the old photos, including the entire set from your junior prom; and you eventually get the nerve to try on what were once your favorite pair of jeans. And that's when this whole situation turns from nostalgic to depressing ... and, based on a recent American Cancer Society Study, somewhat unnerving.

According to researchers, women who gained 21 to 30 pounds after the age of 18 were 40 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than those who only gained five pounds or less. What's more, the study also revealed that women who gained 70 pounds or more doubled their risk of breast cancer. So, if your high school jeans don't even come close to fitting anymore, you may want to consider starting a regular exercise program and following a healthier diet.