It’s a disease that strikes fear and a health problem-fueled lifestyle. Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease that can impact every aspect of life. Marked by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, cancer can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Although genetics, exposure to environmental elements, and personal lifestyle choices play a role in cancer, the precise triggers behind this disease often remain elusive.
Now a study finds that obesity and excess body weight are as risky as smoking when it comes to cancer risk. Studies show that obesity and excess body fat raise the risk of at least 13 types of cancer. Research finds that as far as lifestyle factors, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight is the most important thing to lower your cancer risk.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics 2015 Health, United States report, 70.7% of adults aged 20 and older are overweight, with 37.9% falling into the obese category. The rate of obesity among youth has been steady at around 17% since 2003–2004.
As the American Cancer Society (ACS) points out, one-third of all cancer deaths in the United States are due to poor diet and physical inactivity habits, including overweight and obesity. This is the same percentage caused by smoking and other forms of tobacco. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize weight management as a critical component of cancer prevention.
How Body Fat Causes Cancer
What explains the link between excessive body fat and cancer? Surplus body fat can affect the levels and metabolism of vital hormones, such as insulin and estradiol. Additionally, body fat influences immune function and inflammation, which help guard against the threat of tumor cells and tissue damage. The cumulative result? An environment that promotes cell growth and discourages cell death—a perfect breeding ground for cancer.
A clear example of the connection between having too much body fat and cancer is the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is naturally produced by the body and is important for the female reproductive system. However, when estrogen levels are high, it can increase the chances of certain cancers, like breast and endometrial cancer, developing. This is because estrogen stimulates the growth of breast and endometrial cells. Your ovaries stop producing estrogen after menopause, but fat cells continue to produce it, and the estrogen they produce can stimulate breast and uterine tissue.
One of the most significant health risks associated with excess abdominal fat is insulin resistance. When your body carries excess fat, particularly around the abdomen, it increases insulin production by the pancreas. This process is an attempt by the body to compensate for the increased demand for insulin required to regulate blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, this can lead to hyperinsulinemia, which may raise the risk of certain cancers.
Furthermore, high insulin levels can lead to elevated levels of bioavailable IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1). This hormone regulates cell proliferation and growth. Studies show that higher levels of IGF-1 can be linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer. So, it’s essential to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise to avoid excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, and reduce the risk of insulin resistance and associated health complications.
Which Cancers Are Linked to Body Fatness?
You might wonder which cancers being overweight increases the risk of. In August 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published a report identifying 13 types of cancer that have a strong link to body weight. The IARC working group reviewed over a thousand studies and concluded there is evidence to link obesity or excess body fat to cancers of the:
- Blood (Multiple Myeloma)
- Brain (Meningioma)
- Breast
- Colon and Rectum
- Esophagus
- Gallbladder
- Kidney (Renal-Cell)
- Liver
- Ovaries
- Pancreas
- Prostate
- Stomach (Gastric Cardia)
- Thyroid
- Uterus
Total body fat is one thing, but where your body fat is located may be an additional risk. Track your waist circumference as a measure of belly fat. Colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, and postmenopausal breast cancers have a strong association with a higher waist circumference. Why? It turns out that deep abdominal fat, known as visceral fat, is considered more metabolically active than the subcutaneous fat lurking beneath your skin. A large waist size is a marker of excess visceral fat. So, keep an eye on your waistline, because it might just be a crucial factor in safeguarding your health against these types of cancers.
Conclusion
Cancer is an intricate and multifaceted illness influenced by numerous factors, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and the environment. While there is no fail-safe method to completely prevent cancer, maintaining a healthy diet and body weight plays a significant role in reducing the risk of developing this disease. Research consistently shows a link between incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and lower rates of some cancers, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer, regardless of weight loss. By making mindful dietary choices, we can take proactive steps towards safeguarding our health and well-being, empowering ourselves in the ongoing fight against cancer.
References
- Lauby-Secretan B, Scoccianti C, Loomis D, et al. Body fatness and cancer — viewpoint of the IARC Working Group. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(8):794-798.
- World Cancer Research Fund International. Cancer prevention & survival: summary of global evidence on diet, weight, physical activity & what increases or decreases your risk of cancer. http://www.wcrf.org/sites/default/files/CUP-Summary-Report.pdf. Published July 2016.
- American Institute for Cancer Research. The AICR 2015 cancer risk awareness survey report. http://www.aicr.org/assets/docs/pdf/education/aicr-awareness-report-2015.pdf
- National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2015: With Special Feature on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2016. DHHS publication 2016–1232.
- Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Flegal KM. Prevalence of obesity among adults and youth: United States, 2011–2014. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db219.pdf. Published November 2015.
- Kushi LH, Doyle C, McCullough M, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA Cancer J Clin. 2012;62(1):30-67.
- World Cancer Research Fund; American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. http://www.wcrf.org/sites/default/files/Second-Expert-Report.pdf. Published 2007.
- Berger NA. Obesity and cancer pathogenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014;1311:57-76.
- “Cancer’s Link to Body Fat – Today’s Dietitian Magazine”. Www.Todaysdietitian.Com, 2023, https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0117p34.shtml. Accessed 19 May 2023.
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