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12 Cancers Associated with Excess Weight, Obesity

June 28, 2018

Most of us know that excess weight or becoming obese increases our risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and other conditions increases.

But did you know that we also increase our risk for certain cancers, too?

According to a World Cancer Research Fund report, at least 12 cancers are associated with obesity:

  • Breast: Obese menopausal women have up to 40 percent greater chance of developing breast cancer than women with a normal weight range.
  • Esophageal: If you are overweight or obese, you are twice as likely to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma. If you’re extremely obese, the risk increases to four times as likely.
  • Gallbladder: Obesity makes it 60 percent more likely you’ll develop gallbladder cancer.
  • Kidney: Anyone overweight or obese is almost twice as likely as people of normal weight to develop renal cell cancer.
  • Liver: Liver cancer is twice as likely if you’re overweight or obese.
  • Stomach: If obese, you are twice as likely to develop gastric cardia cancer in the upper region of the stomach closest to the esophagus.
  • Pancreas: Pancreatic cancer is about 1.5 times more likely if you’re overweight or obese.
  • Colorectal: Obesity adds slightly more risk (30 percent) of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Uterine: Endometrial cancer is up to four times more likely in overweight and obese women.
  • Ovarian: Overweight women have a slightly greater chance of developing ovarian cancer.
  • Prostate: Obesity increases the likelihood of advanced prostate cancer in men.
  • Thyroid: A higher body mass index, or BMI, can cause a slightly higher risk of thyroid cancer.

For some time, research studies have shown a strong association between obesity and certain cancers.  But scientists are still studying what causes these cancers and why they seem to occur more frequently in people who are obese.

The potential mechanisms are not well understood but they are likely associated with obesity-related hormones, growth factors, the influence of energy balance and calorie restriction, signaling pathways and process related to inflammation.  All of these can affect cancer cell promotion and progression.  Many studies are currently in the works to better understand the biology behind obesity-related cancers.

Many experts in the field of nutrition, cancer and obesity agree on recommendations, based on some convincing evidence, to help reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. It starts with maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical exercise and decreasing calorie-dense foods and sugary drinks.

Some specific recommendations:

  • Limit intake of red and processed meat.
  • Consume low-fat foods.
  • Eat less takeout food.
  • Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and nuts as well as low fat or fat-free yogurt, and whole grains.
  • Increase activity during the day, decrease TV and computer time. Start with a 10- or 15-minute walk during lunch or after work and increase to 30 to 45 minutes each day.
  • Try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol.

These recommendations will help keep you at a healthy weight. If you need help losing weight, we can help.

Hartford HealthCare has comprehensive programs to help with weight loss and decrease the risk of not only the more commonly known obesity-related diseases but also obesity-related cancers. Learn more about our services at whatwillyougain.org.

 Sara Thompson is a nurse practitioner with Hartford HealthCare’s Bariatric and Metabolic Services, part of the Surgical & Medical Weight Loss Center.