Obesity responsible for 100,000 cancer cases annually - Matt Sloane - CNN Medical News
In addition to cancer, obesity is a known cause of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes
In addition to cancer, obesity is a known cause of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Researchers calculate actual case counts likely to have been caused by obesity
* Endometrial, esophageal, pancreatic, kidney, breast and colorectal cancers affected
* Obesity also negatively affects survival and can make treatment more difficult
(CNN) -- More than 100,000 cases of cancer each year are caused by excess body fat, according to a report released Thursday in Washington.
Researchers with the American Institute for Cancer Research looked at seven cancers with known links to obesity and calculated actual case counts that were likely to have been caused by obesity.
Specifically, the report says that 49 percent of endometrial cancers are caused by excess body fat. That number is followed by 35 percent of esophageal cancer cases; 28 percent of pancreatic cancer cases; 24 percent of kidney cancer cases; 21 percent of gallbladder cancer cases; 17 percent of breast cancer cases; and 9 percent of colorectal cancer cases.
"This is the first time that we've put real, quantifiable case numbers on obesity-related cancers," said Glen Weldon, the American Institute for Cancer Research educational director. In addition, he said, it's not just causing cancer that's an issue.
Video: Obesity linked to cancer
This helps to communicate the magnitude of the problem.
--Dr. Michael Thun
RELATED TOPICS
* Cancer
* American Cancer Society
* Obesity
"Obesity not only raises the risk for getting cancer," Weldon said. "It also has a negative effect on survival and can make treatment more difficult."
Although there is no concrete science on why obesity increases a person's risk for cancer, scientists hypothesize that excess estrogen released by body fat could be the culprit in cancers such as estrogen-receptor positive breast cancers.
Studies have also shown that increased body fat can lead to increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory compounds in the blood, which are linked to DNA mutation and diseased cell growth, as is seen in many cancers.
The American Cancer Society applauded the new research, but said the report is only the first step.
"This helps to communicate the magnitude of the problem," said Dr. Michael Thun, vice president emeritus at the American Cancer Society.
"While the study addresses the magnitude of the problem, it does not propose potential solutions. The bottom line for people concerned about this issue is to try to balance the calories you take in with those your body expends every day."
In addition to cancer, obesity is a known cause of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes.
In addition to cancer, obesity is a known cause of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Researchers calculate actual case counts likely to have been caused by obesity
* Endometrial, esophageal, pancreatic, kidney, breast and colorectal cancers affected
* Obesity also negatively affects survival and can make treatment more difficult
(CNN) -- More than 100,000 cases of cancer each year are caused by excess body fat, according to a report released Thursday in Washington.
Researchers with the American Institute for Cancer Research looked at seven cancers with known links to obesity and calculated actual case counts that were likely to have been caused by obesity.
Specifically, the report says that 49 percent of endometrial cancers are caused by excess body fat. That number is followed by 35 percent of esophageal cancer cases; 28 percent of pancreatic cancer cases; 24 percent of kidney cancer cases; 21 percent of gallbladder cancer cases; 17 percent of breast cancer cases; and 9 percent of colorectal cancer cases.
"This is the first time that we've put real, quantifiable case numbers on obesity-related cancers," said Glen Weldon, the American Institute for Cancer Research educational director. In addition, he said, it's not just causing cancer that's an issue.
Video: Obesity linked to cancer
This helps to communicate the magnitude of the problem.
--Dr. Michael Thun
RELATED TOPICS
* Cancer
* American Cancer Society
* Obesity
"Obesity not only raises the risk for getting cancer," Weldon said. "It also has a negative effect on survival and can make treatment more difficult."
Although there is no concrete science on why obesity increases a person's risk for cancer, scientists hypothesize that excess estrogen released by body fat could be the culprit in cancers such as estrogen-receptor positive breast cancers.
Studies have also shown that increased body fat can lead to increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory compounds in the blood, which are linked to DNA mutation and diseased cell growth, as is seen in many cancers.
The American Cancer Society applauded the new research, but said the report is only the first step.
"This helps to communicate the magnitude of the problem," said Dr. Michael Thun, vice president emeritus at the American Cancer Society.
"While the study addresses the magnitude of the problem, it does not propose potential solutions. The bottom line for people concerned about this issue is to try to balance the calories you take in with those your body expends every day."
In addition to cancer, obesity is a known cause of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Laurie on -
I feel this is very important! Getting the healthy foods to eat are most important. Getting rid of all white items in your diet helps, (sugar, white flour, etc). Sugar has been proven to increase the activity of cancer cells. Getting your body in a balanced state is very important, and once you can make the change of eating healthy, the weight comes off.
Never call a change of eating habits and types of foods you are eating a diet! Call it a life style change and you will find the pathway to health!
There are many books out that take our foods to a healthy change.
The China Study is one of them. Many others.
When my children where in school, the food they served was very unhealthy, and if they had extra money they would just eat out of the pop/candy machines (which the schools use to make money from).
We are the ones who need to make the change and our children will follow!
Thanks Jane for posting this!
Peace and hugs,
Laurie
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Permalink Reply by Jane Ali on -
Thanks for your comments! Loved them....you are so right about the schools.
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Permalink Reply by A.J. Ali on -
Obesity as a cause of cancer? There's one more reason why we need to take more responsibility for our own health. Not everything is directly in our control, but what we put into our mouth is. When it comes to food, it's just flat out crazy why we voluntarily put things into our bodies that contribute speedily to our demise. I don't think any other species does that. Do they? If you're overweight, don't diet. Diets are bad news. You're setting yourself up for failure and a see-saw battle of losing and gaining. Take my advice and... "Live It!" Live a healthy lifestyle, mind, body and spirit. Learn how to make smart choices. For example, parents, think the next time you reach for the Cocoa Crisps to give to your child because he or she is screaming for it after they've seen the ad for it 27 times on Saturday morning. Say no, explain why, and then learn some healthy and tasty recipes to give them so they can grow up loving GOOD, nourishing food. Having trouble with your will power??? Read my book (it's only being plugged because it WORKS), The True Champion's 30-Day Challenge. It'll help you develop new habits that can help you live longer, healthier and happier.
Peace and Love,
A.J. Ali
www.30DayChallengeBook.com
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Permalink Reply by Jill Carlier on -
I wondered about this (being obese causing my cancer) and i read that cancer likes sugar (well, look at what they have us drink before our scans...sugar!) They give us that cause the cancer cells get all excited and run into the sugar, which then shows up on our scans
..I was 90 pounds overweight at the time of my diagnosis...tried to eat healthier but found that I couldn't stop eating sugar or flour, for that matter. With the help of a 12 step program, I have gotten my food under control and am at a healthy weight (thank you, God). Its just amazing how much food is thrown at us..especially sugar and flour. If anyone ever wants to talk, feel free to message me, I would like to be of help in any way xoxo
Jill
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Permalink Reply by A.J. Ali on
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So awesome of you to share that! I think you're in a position to help a LOT of people. Most food companies are marketing and selling junk that looks enticing but makes people sick. So, how do we combat that? By helping and supporting each other. It's harder to fall when you have a teammate beside you to catch you when you stumble. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Permalink Reply by Jill Carlier on
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no problem! It amazes me that at Gilda's club, they serve a lot of sugar and flour products, I asked the Director about it and she ha never heard that cancer likes sugar! weird!!
we also have a problem in our society of adult peer pressure.. "go ahead.. a little bit won"t hurt" next thing ya know, you've finished it all!
i'd love to help others if I can.
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Permalink Reply by A.J. Ali on
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Just by sharing... you've already helped some folks and will help many more who read your posts. Check out our organizational site as well to see our big vision -- www.marathonofmiracles.org. Sounds like we need to get the Rhinos to help us get a Miracle Wellness Garden built in Rochester this summer.
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Permalink Reply by Jill Carlier on
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wellness garden sounds lovely...our owner is Rob Clark
Videos
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www.marathonofmiracles.org
Please donate now to help Marathon of Miracles maintain and promote this site and conduct other programs so we can help more people together. Thank you!
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