Figure 1.

Diagram of factors linking the MS with cancer development. Plasma glucose, BMI/waist circumference, and triglycerides/FFA affect different complementary processes that can work together to promote cancer development/growth. Additional characteristics of the MS, such as increased HDL and hypertension, are also correlated with cancer growth, but a direct mechanism for these associations has not been confirmed. Abbreviations: E, estrone; E₂, estradiol; A, androgens; mito, mitochondria; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SHBG, sex hormone-binding globulin; FFA, free or nonesterified fatty acids; TG, triglycerides; IGFBPs, insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins.