Women taking popular weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro may face a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer, according to new research presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting.

The study, which analyzed data from more than 110,000 women between the ages of 45 and 80, found that users of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1 drugs, were about 30 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not take the medications.

Researchers said the reduction in risk remained consistent regardless of age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, breast density or diabetes status.

The findings add to growing scientific interest in the potential health benefits of GLP-1 medications beyond weight management and blood sugar control. These drugs, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, work by mimicking naturally occurring hormones that help regulate appetite, insulin production and glucose levels. Their effectiveness in promoting weight loss has led to widespread use in recent years.

Elizabeth McDonald, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and a breast radiologist involved in the research, said the medications are attracting attention in cancer research because they influence multiple biological pathways linked to cancer development.

Researchers noted that obesity is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer and that weight reduction has long been associated with lower cancer risk. However, they believe the benefits of GLP-1 medications may extend beyond weight loss alone.

Evidence suggests the drugs may help reduce systemic inflammation, a condition increasingly linked to cancer development. Chronic inflammation can create an environment that allows cancer cells to grow, survive and spread more easily. Since inflammation plays a significant role in breast cancer progression, scientists are exploring whether these medications could offer additional protective effects.

Despite the promising findings, researchers cautioned that the study was observational and does not prove that GLP-1 medications directly prevent breast cancer. They also noted that the research focused exclusively on women with overweight or obesity, meaning the results may not apply to women in other weight categories.

Another factor highlighted by the study is that people taking GLP-1 medications often have more frequent medical appointments, which can increase opportunities for cancer screening and diagnosis.

The researchers said the findings justify further investigation through randomized clinical trials. They proposed future studies examining whether GLP-1 drugs could simultaneously help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic changes associated with menopause.

Additional research presented at the ASCO meeting pointed to similar benefits. An Italian study reported that women with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who used GLP-1 medications survived nearly 19 months longer on average than patients who did not receive the drugs.

Scientists say the emerging evidence underscores the need for further research into the broader health impacts of GLP-1 therapies.

Cryptocurrency trading is increasingly becoming more than a financial activity for some users, with addiction specialists warning that compulsive behaviour linked to digital assets is showing strong similarities to gambling disorder.

Jamie Giles, client services director at Castle Craig, one of Scotland’s leading addiction treatment centres, says the issue is defined not by the technology itself but by behaviour patterns that mirror established addictions. Speaking to Euronews Health, he described cases where individuals lose control over their trading habits, with their daily lives increasingly shaped by market movements and price fluctuations.

“We are speaking about someone who becomes consumed by cryptocurrencies, continually escalates their involvement, chases losses, attempts unsuccessfully to cut back, and persists despite obvious harm to their finances, relationships and wellbeing,” Giles said.

He explained that problematic use is often marked by secrecy, emotional dependence on trading outcomes, and repeated attempts to regain lost money. In many cases, individuals reorganise their routines around constant monitoring of crypto markets, which operate around the clock.

Although cryptocurrency addiction is not formally recognised in international diagnostic manuals, Giles said the absence of an official label does not diminish its clinical relevance. He pointed to research involving thousands of participants which found that a significant proportion of crypto traders exhibited behaviours associated with gambling risk.

The lack of recognition in formal psychiatric classification systems, he added, has not prevented clinicians from treating it as a behavioural addiction with outcomes similar to gambling disorder interventions.

Young men are identified as the most vulnerable group. Giles said many patients are in their twenties and often begin trading in search of quick financial gains, sometimes alongside other risky behaviours such as substance use.

“One patient profile we frequently see is a young professional under pressure who turns to substances and then crypto trading, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of loss and recovery attempts,” he said.

He also warned that cryptocurrency addiction can be harder to detect than substance-related disorders, since compulsive trading may appear productive or financially ambitious. This social perception, he noted, can delay intervention.

Mental health consequences are significant. Anxiety, depression, sleep disruption and acute psychological distress are commonly reported, and in severe cases individuals may experience suicidal thoughts following major financial losses.

Giles also raised concerns about the marketing of crypto platforms, comparing it to gambling advertising due to its use of influencers, celebrity endorsements and promises of rapid wealth. He warned that increasing partnerships between crypto firms and sports organisations risk normalising exposure among young audiences.

Regulators in several countries are already tightening rules on crypto advertising and introducing safeguards similar to those used in gambling regulation.

Despite the risks, Giles emphasised that recovery is possible. He said early recognition is critical and stressed that addiction should be treated as a health condition rather than a moral failing.

For families, he advised maintaining support while setting firm boundaries, noting that recovery often requires a collective approach rather than individual effort alone.