More than three-quarters of first-time breast cancer diagnoses are made in postmenopausal women. And a new study shows that 40% of hormone-positive breast cancer cases in those women can be linked to carrying around excess body fat.

That makes the risks of putting on postmenopausal pounds — the average is about a pound and a half every year — extra risky business.

But you can't entirely blame those added pounds on the loss of hormones. At the same time that women experience menopause, they tend to reduce their level of physical activity and experience loss of muscle mass.

Whatever the combination of causes, it's clear that added weight not only increases the risk for heart disease, breathing problems, and diabetes, but cancer too.

Fortunately, you can fight back against the symptoms of menopause and reverse or prevent obesity. Here’s how:

• Reduce your calorie intake and increase your enjoyment of metabolism-fueling foods such as lentils, flaxseeds, ginger, green tea and coffee, green leafy vegetables, and broccoli. And add a 16-ounce glass of water to the start of every meal.

• Enjoy two strength-building sessions a week and get 10,000 steps or the equivalent every day, no excuses.

• Talk to your doctor about taking bioidentical estrogen and micronized progesterone hormone therapy, which is now known to be generally safe and effective for decreasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, memory loss, osteoporosis, and accumulation of belly fat. And ask your doctor about taking two low-dose aspirins daily (drink water before and after) along with the hormone therapy to reduce clotting risks.