Scientists have long suspected a link between some types of cancer and weight. Now, a huge study has found that obesity can lead to 4 in 10 cancer cases.
The study says that obesity can now be linked to 32 types of tumors, an increase from the previous 13 types in which obesity is known to play a role.
According to this study, experts warned that the results show that the nation is facing a “devastating time bomb.”
The pioneering study, conducted by Lund University in Sweden, tracked 4.1 million people for up to 45 years. 332,501 cases of cancer were diagnosed during the study period. There was a link between excess weight and cancer in 40% of cases.
The results suggest that about 4 in 10 cases of cancer could be fueled by obesity in general.
In total, the team identified 32 types of cancer linked to obesity, more than double the 13 types of cancer identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2016.
The new study, which will be presented at the European Obesity Congress in Venice, confirms that these 13 cancers, including breast, intestine, uterus and kidney, can be caused by obesity.
19 other types of obesity-related cancers have also been identified for the first time, including malignant skin cancer, stomach tumors, small intestine and pituitary cancers, in addition to types of head and neck cancer, vulvar cancer and penile cancer.
Many types of cancer can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight.
“Our findings suggest that the impact of obesity on cancer may be greater than previously known,” said study lead researcher Dr. Ming Sun. “It is a risk factor for more types of cancer, especially rare types, some of which have not been investigated before.” Related to obesity: Obesity-related cancer cases represent 25% of all cancer cases in this study, and the percentage increases to 40% when adding potential obesity-related cancer cases, and a large percentage of cancers can be prevented by maintaining a normal weight.
Experts said that being overweight can increase the risk of cancer through biological mechanisms, such as chronic inflammation in vital organs, changes in metabolism, and changes in hormone levels.
The study found that a body mass index (BMI) of 30, the lower limit for obesity, increases the risk of common cancers, such as bowel, kidney, breast and uterus, by 12% for women and 24% for men, compared to a healthy weight.
It also increases the risk of developing types not previously associated with obesity, including malignant skin cancer and tumors of the small intestine, pituitary gland and oral cavity, by 17% for men and 13% for women.
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