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Does obesity increase your risk of cancer? Yes.
This was a study published in Jan 2023 in Cancers, “Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management.” The study starts by discussing how obesity has been linked to many cancers- breast, colorectal, esophagus, kidney, gallbladder, uterine, pancreatic, and liver. They state that 4-8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. The relationship between obesity and cancer is complex. But the studies show not only does it increase cancer risk, it may also increase the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality in cancer survivors.
They did a mega review of published literature over the last decade to see what the studies are showing us. Obesity rates have tripled worldwide since 1975. Lowering your weight to a BMI of 25 or lower could potentially prevent 21% of cancers.
- Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or above.
- Obesity is also referred to as a high waist-hip ratio (above 0.90 in men, and above 0.85 in women)
- DEXA scan (or our InBody Scan) show body fat percentages. Obese is over 25% fat in men, and 30% in women
Obesity increases cancer rates 4-8%, but for some cancers it increases the risk by more.
- Liver cancer, 51%
- Gallbladder cancer, 51%
- Endometrial cancers 49%. For every 0,1 increase in the waist-hip ratio, your risk of endometrial cancer increased by 21%
- Adenocarcinomas 30%
- Colon 9%
- Breast- for every increase of 5kg, you increased your risk of breast cancer by 11%
Breast and colorectal cancers are known to be higher in obese people. Many of the hard-to-treat cancers- pancreatic, esophagus, and gallbladder, as well as the two most common cancers- breast and colon- are all higher risk in obese people.
Why does obesity increase cancer? It is thought that fat acts as an “organ,” releasing enzymes, stimulating hormones, and other methods. Theories are:
- Altered fatty acid secretion
- Secretion of sex and anabolic hormones. Fat can cause overproduction of estrogen, hence the increased risk of breast, endometrial, ovarian and other cancers.
- Immune dysregulation.
- Chronic inflammation. Obese people have higher levels of leptin, a strong inflammatory agent. Inflammatory cytokines are higher- IL-6, TNFa, and C reactive protein. Excess fat can lead to fat cell death, resulting in chronic subclinical inflammation in fat tissue. This chronic inflammation is thought to lead to progression of cancer. b
- Changes to gut microbiome
- Insulin resistance. Higher BMI creates hyperinsulinemia, leading to insulin resistance. Colon, kidney, prostate, and endometrial cancer may be associated with high insulin and IGF-1 levels.
- Fatty liver is associated with higher cancer. Higher oxidative stress causes DNA damage.
They discuss how visceral fat, intra abdominal fat, is linked to higher cancer rates (and heart disease among other issues). Visceral fat has distinct fatty acid properties, and is more associated with diabetes, blood pressure issues, insulin resistance, lipid issues, and cardiovascular mortality.
Obesity also increases recurrence risk and inferior outcomes in treatment. A metanalysis of 203 studies of 6 million people showed obesity had a 14% increased risk of overall mortality, 17% increased risk of cancer specific mortality, and 13% increased risk of recurrence. They also comment that obese patients had overall poor survival. There are higher operative complications in higher BMI patients.
To read about more, see the medical link below.
Our thoughts at Biohackr Health?
We believe in healthy weights and we have many ways to help get you there.
- What is your muscle and fat percentages? Where is the fat? In Body scan
- What is your blood sugar? Test HbA1c and see your glucose control.
- Build muscle. Creatine is super safe and effective. Use our Creapure German micronized creatine powder. SHOP
- Hormone evaluation to help with weight management.
- Probiotic to help with glucose control. SHOP
- GLP 1 medications- semaglutide and tirzepatide. They have been around now for years, and the scientific data on them is compelling. Add lower cancer risk to the mix. GLP-1 medications
Medical link:
Obesity and Cancer Scientific article link