Women who were obese or overweight before and after being diagnosed with breast cancer have lower odds of surviving the disease, a recent study suggests.

Researcher of the study found that the relationship between deaths from breast cancer and excessive weight only occur in estrogen receptor-positive forms of the illnesses. An estrogen receptor-positive form of cancer means the hormone ‘estrogen’ stimulates the progression of the disease.

Christina Dieli-Conwright, lead author of the study and assistant research professor at Duarte, California said in a press release that the relationship may depend on whether the breast cancer is dependent on the hormone.

The research showed that breast cancer patients who are overweight or obese tend to have increased estrogen levels in their blood, which could make out the reason why there is an increased risk of mortality.

The study is composed of 3,995 women who had an invasive form of breast cancer from the year of 1995 to 2006. Of those women, 262 had died from the disease.

Researchers examined their BMI or body mass index, which is a measure of an individual’s height and weight, when the patients were 18-years-old and at the time the patients were diagnosed. In this case, a BMI of 30 and more is classified as obesity while a BMI of 25 to 29 is classified as overweight.

Patients who were obese at the time they were diagnosed had an increased risk of dying up to 69 percent than those who were diagnosed at a healthy weight. An equal risk is given to those patients who were overweight at the time they were 18 years-old.

However, since the study was introduced at a medical meeting, the findings are still viewed as initial up to the time the study is published in a journal.

The administration of China instructs makers of TV shows and films to regulate the extent of smoking shown on-screen. This is an effort pushed by the government to control the use of tobacco in the country considered as one of the world’s biggest cigarette consumers.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television posted the announcement on their website last Tuesday. It directs producers to lessen the plots that involve tobacco or scenes that show someone smoking.

According to the given directives, they can use tobacco or depict scenes of people smoking only when needed such as for the purpose of art or character development.

Individuals under 18-years old are not allowed to be presented on screen while smoking or purchasing tobacco. In addition, other characters in the film or TV show are not allowed to smoke in public places or buildings where cigarettes are strictly prohibited.

Actors, directors, and producers are highly discouraged from using tobacco and other forms of smoke when creating films, TV ads and commercials. The government of China has put forth serious efforts to regulate and limit the use of cigarettes.

Over the past years, China had been controlling the use of tobacco in their country. They are banning advertisements on tobacco, as well as prohibiting cigarette companies from sponsoring major sporting events in the country.

In China, smoking adults make up 30 percent of the population. This means there are roughly 300 million people in the country who are smoking. Smoking is also a major contributor to the million deaths in China every year.