Obesity and cancer closely linked, with new research revealing that cancer from obesity might be fuelling 40% of cases. This ground-breaking study, spanning four decades and involving 4.1 million adults, highlights a devastating reality that the impact of obesity on cancer is greater than previously feared.
The study found that obesity is now linked to 32 types of cancer, a significant increase from the 13 types previously recognised. For every five-point increase in body mass index (BMI), which is the equivalent to gaining about three stone for someone at a healthy weight, increases the risk of several common cancers by 24% in men and 12% in women. Additionally, this BMI increase was linked to 19 other cancers, raising the risk by 17% for men and 13% for women.
Health charities are calling this obesity and cancer research a wake-up call, urging governments worldwide to implement public health policies that combat the obesity epidemic. Katharine Jenner, Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, emphasised that preventing obesity could prevent many types of diet-related cancers. Suggested measures include restrictions on junk food marketing and levies on unhealthy foods, aiming to make healthy choices more accessible.
Scientists suggest that the risk of cancer from obesity may increase through biological mechanisms like chronic inflammation, metabolic alterations, and hormone level changes. Additionally, people with obesity might participate less in cancer screening programs, reducing the efficacy of early detection.
The study, led by Lund University in Malmo, Sweden, monitored participants’ weight and lifestyle over 40 years, identifying 332,500 cancer cases. It established a link between excess weight and cancer in 40% of these cases. The research, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice, confirms that cancers such as breast, bowel, womb, and kidney can be caused by obesity. Furthermore, it identified 19 new potential obesity-related cancers, including malignant melanoma, gastric tumours, and cancers of the small intestine, pituitary glands, and head and neck.
Dr. Ming Sun, the lead researcher, highlighted the study’s implications, stressing the urgent need for public health measures promoting a healthy lifestyle to address the obesity epidemic and its detrimental effects on health outcomes.
The economic burden is also significant. According to the NHS health survey in England, obesity-related health issues cost around £6.5 billion annually. The average annual cost for obese patients with a BMI of 40 and above is more than double that of patients with a healthy BMI.
This study underscores the necessity for robust obesity prevention programs as a critical component of cancer prevention. As Professor Jason Halford, President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, noted, the findings should be a major concern for health policymakers, emphasising the need for immediate and effective action to combat obesity and its associated health risks.
Source: Daily Mail Article