Cancer risk associated with obesity

The more weight you carry the higher your risk for certain cancers may be according to research findings. The study found staying slim throughout your life can lower your risk for at least eight different types of cancer. Those cancers included stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, ovary and thyroid, meningioma and multiple myeloma.

The latest findings add further evidence from previous studies that have uncovered similar findings. In those studies the researchers suggested avoiding weight gain could reduce your risk of certain cancers including cancer of the colon, esophagus, kidney, breast and uterus.

Chair of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) review group, Dr. Graham Colditz, said, “The review certainly concluded crystal clear, as you say, that obesity causes cancer. And hence the conclusion that there is cancer prevention through avoiding obesity.”
Although the studies do not prove cause and effect they do reveal an association between obesity and cancer. Generally speaking obesity is tied to numerous negative health outcomes and so it is probably wiser to achieve a healthy weight as opposed to being overweight or obese.

Although human trials for weight loss and cancer are few, there are plenty of animal studies that reveal that weight loss can harbor preventative effects for cancer.

In the meantime, it is still wise to lower your weight as it can help ward off diabetes, heart disease, and stroke so as you can see there are still plenty of good reasons to keep your weight in check.