According to the CDC there are 42 % of adults and 20% of children in the US currently with the disease of obesity.  As we understand obesity today, there are 13 known obesity associated cancers.  According to the NIH, these include the following.

1. Meningioma (cancer in the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
2. Thyroid cancer (1.3 times more likely in persons with obesity)
3. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (4.8 times more likely in persons with severe obesity)
4. Breast Cancer in postmenopausal women (1.2-1.4 times more likely in women with obesity)
5. Multiple Myeloma (Cancer of the Blood Cell 1.1-1.2 times more likely in persons with obesity)
6. Liver Cancer
7. Gallbladder Cancer (1.6 times more likely in persons with obesity)
8. Upper stomach cancer (2 times more likely in persons with obesity)
9. Kidney cancer
10. Pancreatic cancer (1.5 times more likely in persons with obesity)
11. Endometrial Cancer (Cancer lining the uterus is 7 times more likely in women with severe obesity)
12. Ovarian cancer (1.1 times as likely for every increase in BMI point)
13. Colon and Rectal Cancer (1.3 times more likely in persons with obesity)

According to the NIH, in 2011-2015 in people 30 and older there were 37,670 new cancer cases in men (4.7%) and 74,690 new cancer cases in women (9.6%) that were due to excess weight.  According to the CDC, breast cancer is the leading cancer after menopause in females with obesity and colon cancer is the leading cancer in men with obesity.

Losing weight may decrease the risk for cancer.  In studies among bariatric surgery patients with obesity, in particular women, relative risk of cancer decreased. Especially among hormone-related cancers such as breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers and of obesity-related cancers post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial, and colon cancer, had a decreased risk.

Why does obesity raise the risk of cancer?  According to the American Cancer Society, it can do this several diverse ways. Obesity is a pro-inflammatory condition, which can lead to cell mutations. Cell mutations can also lead to cell and blood vessel growth. Cell and blood vessel growth will also increase the cell’s ability to live longer than it normally would be able to live, thereby allowing for more mutations. Cancer is a result of the mutations.  Obesity also promotes increased levels of hormones in the body like insulin and estrogen, which can fuel cell growth, accelerating the growth of mutations. Fat cells release other hormones in the body that fuel cell growth such as Insulin Like Growth Factor -1 (IGF-1). Obesity can increase the ability of cancer to spread or metastasize.

The good news is that according to the American Cancer Society, the best way to reduce the risk of obesity related cancers is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. ACS recommends doing this using the following lifestyle modifications.

• Practice a healthy eating pattern by eating healthy whole foods daily and eating smaller portion sizes for every meal.
• Limit red meat and eat whole grains whenever possible.
• Increase vegetable intake and fiber.
• limit processed foods and sugar sweetened beverages.
• Increase physical activity to 150-300 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75—150 minutes per week of vigorous activity.
• Limit the amount of sedentary activity during the week whenever possible.
• Get enough sleep, at least 6-8 hours a day.

With these simple habits, you can live a healthier, active, more cancer-free life!