The Obesity-Cancer Link

We have World Cancer Day on coming weekend. It’s an international day marked on 4 February to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

Obesity is a problem that is growing more and more common in the world. Obesity-related diseases, such as cancer, are also on the rise. In fact, according to CDC [the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention] obesity is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. This is a serious problem, and it’s important that everyone understands the obesity-cancer link.

1. The link

Obesity is one of the leading causes of cancer worldwide. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2. Obesity increases the risk of developing cancer by about 25%. Obesity is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of mental illness.


What are the causes of obesity?

There are many causes of obesity. Some people are born with a weight problem and cannot lose weight no matter how much they try. Other people become obese because they eat too much and do not exercise.

What are the effects of obesity on cancer?

Obesity increases the risk of developing many types of cancer. The most common types of cancer that are associated with obesity are:

Cancer of the uterus

Cancer of the ovaries

Cancer of the bowel (colon, rectum, and anus)

Cancer of the breast

Cancer of the prostate

Cancer of the stomach

Cancer of the pancreas

Cancer of the kidney

Cancer of the liver

Cancer of the thyroid

Cancer of the skin

Cancer of the mouth

Cancer of the nose

Cancer of the eye

Cancer of the brain

Cancer of the spine

The risk of developing any type of cancer is increased by about 25% for every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI.

The risk of developing cancer is also increased by about 25% for every 2 units increase in blood triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).


Some treatments that are available to help reduce the risk of cancer include:

Weight loss

Exercise

Healthy eating

Counseling

Healthy lifestyle

2. Causes of obesity and cancer

Obesity and cancer are two of the leading global health threats in the world today. Obesity is responsible for about 1.5 million cancer cases each year, and cancer is responsible for about 1.7 million deaths each year.

There are many causes of obesity and cancer, and it’s not just about eating too much and not exercising enough.
Obesity and cancer are linked because obesity is a risk factor for cancer.

The obesity increases your risk of developing cancer in a number of ways.

Being obese makes you more likely to have chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, which can increase your risk of cancer.

Obesity and cancer are closely linked and increase each other’s risks.

The obesity increases your risk of developing cancer in places that are particularly prone to cancer, such as the stomach, the ovaries, and the uterus.

Obesity and cancer are also linked because cancer cells grow more rapidly in obese people than in people who are not obese.

3. How to reduce your cancer risk by diet and exercise

There is a growing body of evidence that links obesity and cancer.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. A BMI over 30 is considered overweight and a BMI over 40 is considered obese.

The link between obesity and cancer is not a new discovery.

One mechanism by which obesity can increase the risk of cancer is by increasing the risk of inflammation. Obesity causes inflammation in a number of ways. For example, obesity increases the production of inflammatory molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
TNF-alpha is a molecule that can increase the risk of cancer.

In addition, obesity can increase the amount of oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is a type of stress that can damage cells.

Obesity also increases the risk of cancer by increasing the number of cells that are able to grow rapidly. Rapid growth of cells is a hallmark of cancer.

4. Tips to follow to reduce your cancer risk through diet and exercise


Obesity is not just a problem with weight. It’s also about the type of food that you eat.

Many cancers are linked to the foods that are high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

In fact, a study published in the journal Cancer found that overweight people who ate a lot of sugar and processed foods were more likely to develop cancer than those who ate more fruits and vegetables.

One of the most important things you can do is to eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Make sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat and non-fat dairy products.

Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat.

Regular exercise can help to reduce your risk of obesity and cancer.

While reducing your cancer risk by diet and exercise is key, you should also make sure that you’re getting the right amount of sleep. Getting insufficient sleep has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

5. What to do if you’re obese and want to reduce your cancer risk



1. Make sure to eat a variety of foods to give your body the nutrients it needs.
2. Exercise regularly to reduce your risk of obesity and its related health problems.

3. Take sufficient sleep.
4. Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins.
5. Get regular checkups and screenings to make sure you’re not developing cancer.
6. Educate yourself and your family about the risks of obesity and cancer.
7. Support organizations that are working to prevent obesity and cancer.