What links obesity to Cancer?

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Having balance in life is the best state to be in, regardless of what it’s concerning. Taking weight for instance, being at either extreme ends, such as being underweight to the point of anorexia or being overweight to the point of obesity, is unhealthy and has great consequences. Apart from the many health risks linked to obesity, scientists strongly believe that there is an intense link between Cancer and obesity.

Being overweight is linked to an increased risk of the following types of Cancer:

·       Breast Cancer (especially for menopausal women)

·       Colon and rectum cancer

·       Endometrial cancer (lining of the uterus)

·       Oesophagus cancer

·       Kidney cancer

·       Pancreas cancer

·       Gallbladder cancer

·       Liver cancer

·       Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

·       Multiple Myeloma

·       Cervix cancer

·       Ovary cancer

·       Aggressive forms of prostate cancer

 

     Actually it’s reported that 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in the United States are linked to obesity, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity. All these factors are interlinked, and are key players in contributing to increased cancer risk, but body weight seems to have the strongest relationship with cancer. Thus, this link is still being further researched and understood.

Also put in mind that if you have a large waistline, a sign of too much belly fat, you are in high risk of colon, pancreatic, and breast cancer especially if you are a menopausal woman. While other studies show an increased risk of breast cancer is in place before menopause.

Moreover, the age group where you become overweight is also a key factor affecting you risk. Risks of certain types of cancer increase if you are an overweight child or young adult, because you will be prone to gaining more weight later in life. Researchers show that those women who were overweight as teenagers, not those who gain weight as adult life, might be at greater danger of having ovarian cancer before menopause.

But how might body weight be a risk factor?

  Being overweight can have direct and/or indirect effects on many body systems, differing from one type of cancer to another. Obesity negatively effects:

·       The immune system

·       Endocrine system-Level of certain hormones, such as insulin and estrogens fluctuate

·       Factors regulating cell division, become uncontrolled

·       Proteins influencing the manner which the body uses certain hormones, such as hormone-binding globulin

Does weight loss = Decreased cancer risk?

The answer to this question remains somewhat unclear as research is limited in this specific area. There is however an amount of evidence stating weight loss may not only reduce risk of breast cancer post-menopause, but also for aggressive forms of prostate cancer in males, and possibly other types kinds as well.

Losing weight has a positive impact on health and can cause changes in the body, that may help reduce cancer risk. For example, individuals that drop in weight will have a reduced level of certain hormones such as insulin, estrogens and androgens, which are all believed to be linked to cancer.

In conclusion, the better understanding of the link between weight loss and cancer risk will come upon further scientific research.

In addition to the possibility of cancer risk reduction with weight loss, other health benefits such as a lowered risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes will result. It's important that people keep their weight in check and for those who are overweight or obese, reducing their weight is critical.

                                              Source: American Cancer Society.