Obesity linked to specific cancers

Obesity linked to specific cancers

I received a mail  just today  from my cousin and as I read it,  I  thought , it  is something very serious,  our readers must  be made aware about and especially those who are on obese side.  I believe in prevention and if we share information of this kind, we can save many lives. This report is published by USA Today . I am publishing it as it is here. I appeal to all of you, kindly share this news with all your loved ones, family and friends. 

Obesity  is a serious health issue today. I see many  youngsters because of their bad lifestyles and bad food consumption, suffering from this feature. I know, they do not see today where it can lead to. But I also know, today's generation is very intelligent to know the seriousness of this health issue and many  are trying to correct themselves. This news is so very important to follow healthy lifestyle that I would recommend please pass this report to all your friends who are obese and need to do something to get in shape.


If you are obese... this is your first warning.  You better have an appointment with your dietitian. TODAY.  And read this, not once, but till  it gets through,  for preventive action from your end.

About 100,500 new cases of cancer are caused by obesity every year, according to the most comprehensive attempt ever to estimate the cancers attributed to extra weight.

By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

The analysis, released today by the American Institute for Cancer Research, is based on updated cancer data and a report released earlier this year by a panel of experts. Among the types of cancer most strongly linked to excess body fat:

•Breast, 33,000 cases a year caused by obesity.

•Endometrial, 20,700 cases a year.

•Kidney, 13,900 cases.

•Colorectal, 13,200 cases.

•Pancreas, 11,900.

•Esophagus, 5,800.

•Gallbladder, 2,000.

The list of cancers affected by obesity will almost certainly increase as more research is completed," says Michael Thun, emeritus vice president of epidemiological research at the American Cancer Society. "Several other types of cancer – liver, multiple myeloma and certain leukemia’s – have been linked to obesity in some studies, but this needs confirmation."

Overall, about one-third of U.S. adults are obese, roughly 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Obesity also increases a person's risk of diabetes, heart disease and other diseases.

Excess weight raises cancer risk in different ways, says Tim Byers, director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center in Denver. For breast and endometrial cancer, it seems to be an estrogen problem, he says. Women who are overweight after menopause have more estrogen circulating in their blood, which increases cancer risk. For esophageal cancer, obesity leads to acid reflux, which damages the lower part of the esophagus.

Donna Ryan, an oncologist and president of the Obesity Society, says several hormones and factors involved in obesity may lead to cancer. "Insulin is a prime suspect," she says. "Insulin resistance and elevated insulin levels frequently occur in obese people. Insulin is a very powerful cellular growth factor, and it affects cancer cells."

To lower your risk for cancer: Lose weight, increase physical activity and eat healthier, 

says Anne McTiernan, director of the Prevention Center at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.