The link between overweight and cancer risk
Does obesity cause cancer? The cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the obesity rate has also doubled in the last 40 years. Now, an international review of scientific studies published by the British Medical Journal has attempted to identify the types of cancer-associated most palpably with obesity, eliminating biases that can lead to errors.
In total 204 studies have been studied examining the relationship between obesity, weight gain, abdominal circumference and 36 types of cancer. The team, led by Imperial College London (United Kingdom) found that having 5 kilograms more than what is considered a healthy body weight (according to BMI) increased the risk of rectal cancer in men by 9% and 56% for liver and gallbladder cancer.
For every 5 kg more we increase our risk of cancer. The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer among women who never had hormone replacement therapy increased by 11% for every 5 kg of weight gain. Obesity was also related to the esophagus, uterus and kidney cancer in this case. Specifically, the scientists identified up to 11 types of cancer that get worse when you are obese: breast, ovarian, kidney, pancreas, colon, rectum, marrow, endometrium, multiple and gastric myeloma.
Does obesity cause cancer?
The data is clear. ” Being overweight is the second largest cause of cancer that is preventable after smoking, whether climbing the stairs or shifting to sugar-free drinks, little adjustments can produce a tangible difference, helping to maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of cancer, “says Rachel Orritt, head of UK Cancer Research, who was not involved in the study. Reducing our weight can, therefore, be a good strategy to reduce the chances of cancer.
Obesity causes more cases of cancer than tobacco (and is increasing).
UK Cancer Research, an NGO that researches and raises awareness about cancer in the United Kingdom, has announced a release that obesity causes more types of cancer than smoking tobacco. Specifically, the study points to four types of cancer: ovarian, bowel, kidney and liver. However, his new campaign to warn of the dangers of overweight has been severely criticized.
These are cigarette packages but labeled with a message: “Obesity is also a cause of cancer.” In addition, they carry another text in which you can read that “Like smoking, obesity puts millions of adults at serious risk of cancer.” In social networks, many people support the campaign, while others believe that those who are overweight are pointing their finger.
The figures shown by the BBC do not deceive. They compare the number of cancer cases in the United Kingdom and how they have been caused:
Bowel cancer: there are 42,000 new cases a year: obesity causes 4,800 and tobacco, 2,900.
Kidney cancer: there are 12,900 new cases: obesity causes 2,900 and smoking, 1,600.
Liver cancer: there are 5,900 new cases: obesity causes 1,300 and smoking, 1,200.
Ovarian cancer: there are 7,500 new cases: obesity causes 490 cases and smoking, 25.
Reducible figures – around 40% of cancer cases could be prevented
The NGO does not blame the obese individuals but advises that their number can be reduced. Moreover, obesity is the most significant cause of preventable cancer and, on the other hand, smoking figures only go down in the UK, the obese persons should try their best to follow the reverse way: the more.
One-fifth of the population of Britan is suffering from obesity. That is to say that 13 million out of 66 million of Britain population have the problem of overweight and from the NGO influence researches that have previously noted the connection between cancer and obesity: the studies show that fat cells have the tendency of producing more hormones that induce cell division more often than other body cells, this raises the possibility of producing more cancerous cells.
Being overweight is not synonymous with cancer, but increasing the risk. Cancer Research UK explains that thirteen kinds of cancer are linked to obesity: breast, intestine, pancreas, esophagus, liver, kidney, gallbladder, uterus, ovaries, thyroid myeloma, meningioma, and upper stomach.
Recommendations to Prevent Cancer
Now that you know the answer to the question – does obesity cause cancer, it’s time to take care of it. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid gaining weight in adult life. Be active as part of everyday life, walk more, spend less time sitting. Make whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, such as lentils, the most important part of your daily diet. Limit the consumption of fast food and processed foods rich in fats, sugars, and starches.
Do not eat more than moderate amounts of red meat, such as veal, pork, and lamb. Eat very little, or nothing, of processed meat. Drink water and unsweetened drinks. To prevent cancer, it is best not to drink alcohol.
Breastfeeding is beneficial for mother and baby. And it puts on the table that to prevent the onset of this disease, the quality of the global diet is more important and to maintain active aging than for example the consumption of a certain nutrient or organic compound, such as acrylamide.
“It is unlikely that specific foods or nutrients are unique key factors that cause or protect against cancer. Instead, the combination of different patterns of diet and physical activity throughout life are those that influence you more or less susceptible to developing cancer,” said Giota Mitrou, of the WCRF, during the 25th European Congress of obesity.
The “planetary health diet”
As I mentioned before, to prevent the onset of this disease, the quality of the global diet and maintaining active aging are of the highest importance.
The study also links the regular consumption of sugary drinks with an increased risk of cancer, since these fluids contribute to weight gain. Stresses that leading a physically active life has a direct protective effect on the colon, breast (post-menopause) and uterine cancer, in addition to helping to maintain adequate weight, which reduces the overall risk.
Remember that alcohol consumption is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing six types of tumors, colorectal, breast, liver, mouth, and neck, esophagus and stomach. And it recommends a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, with low consumption of red meat.
One in six deaths on the planet every year is due to cancer. In Europe, there are more than 3.7 million new cases per year and 1.9 million deaths, and it is the second leading cause of death. Paradoxically, despite the fact that the European continent only accounts for an eighth of the world’s population, it accounts for a quarter of all global cancer cases.