Does Obesity Cause Cancer? Risks Of Being Overweight!
Obesity is a major risk factor for cancer. Studies have found that people who are obese have a greater chance of developing breast, endometrial, colon, kidney, and esophageal cancer. Being obese can increase your risk of getting cancer by up to 20%.
Obesity And Cancer – Causes And Treatments!
Obesity can also be a symptom of other illnesses including diabetes and high blood pressure which can increase the risk of certain types of cancers.
Some evidence indicates that obesity may be associated with an increased risk of other types of cancer such as lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. If you are overweight or obese, try to lose weight by exercising more and eating fewer calories from food and drink.
How Likely Will I Get Cancer If I Am Overweight Or Obese?
About 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. The average weight of an American woman is 165 pounds, while the average weight of an American man is 195 pounds. If you’re overweight or obese, your risk of getting cancer is higher than if you are at a healthy weight. It’s unclear exactly how much higher your risk is, but it probably increases with how much excess weight you carry around.
There are many different types of cancer, and some types are more likely to be caused by excess body fat than other types. For example, cancers of the breast, colon, and pancreas are more likely to be linked to obesity than cancers of the liver or lung (although all these cancers can be related to obesity).
Some studies have found that people who lose even 5% or 10% of their body weight have a lower risk of developing cancer in the future; other studies have found no effect after weight loss. Finally, some studies have shown that losing weight after being diagnosed with cancer doesn’t improve survival rates from that cancer — it may even make things worse!
What Are The Chances Of Surviving Cancer If You Are Obese?
In general, the more body fat you have, the higher your risk of developing certain cancers. Body fat is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer in women.
Obesity may also play a role in other cancers such as endometrial cancer, pancreatic cancer, and kidney cancer.
Although researchers do not fully understand why obesity increases the risk of getting some cancers and not others, they have found that obese people often have low levels of the hormones estrogen and leptin. These hormones help regulate metabolism and energy balance.
Research has also shown that fat cells in obese patients produce more estrogen than in normal-weight individuals. This can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer because estrogen fuels tumor growth in some types of breast cancers.
What Kinds Of Cancer Are Connected To Being Overweight?
Being overweight is a risk factor for many types of cancer. For example, being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer, colon and rectum cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma (a type of stomach cancer), gallbladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer and uterine sarcoma (a rare form of gynecologic malignancy).
Excess weight can also increase the risk of cancers in some other parts of the body. For example, excess weight may increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer.
Being underweight is also linked to an increased risk for certain types of cancer. Underweight individuals have an increased risk for liver and gallbladder cancers and uterine sarcomas.
What Are Some Of The Treatments For Obesity?
Some of the treatments are:
1. Surgery – Obesity can be treated surgically through various operations such as gastric bypass, weight loss surgery, and liposuction.
2. Diet – A healthy diet is key for controlling obesity, including eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods and sugar, and exercising regularly.
3. Meds – Prescription drugs can help to control obesity by helping to lower blood sugar levels or reduce appetite. Weight loss medications can also work to reduce body fat levels.
4. Pills – There are a variety of over-the-counter pills that can help decrease weight, including those that contain caffeine or phentermine.
5. Chiropractic – Chiropractors may help treat obesity by correcting the spine’s alignment and helping to reduce stress levels in the body.
6. Acupuncture – Acupuncture is also known to be beneficial for treating obesity, as it can help to improve blood sugar levels and reduce stress.
7. Homeopathy – Homeopathic remedies are thought to work by restoring balance within the body, which can help to reduce obesity.
Does Obesity Cause Cancer In Children?
Obesity is a risk factor for many types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and endometrial cancers. But does obesity cause cancer in children?
Probably not.
Children who are obese have a higher risk of developing some cancers later in life. But there’s no evidence that obesity directly causes childhood cancers — even though some theories suggest it might be a contributing factor.
Obesity is a known risk factor for certain types of cancer in children, such as leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphomas. Obesity can also increase the risk for Hodgkin lymphoma — aggressive cancer — among adolescents with HIV infection or other immune system disorders.
But obesity itself isn’t thought to cause any type of childhood cancer directly. It’s just one of many factors that can affect your child’s chances of developing them later on in life.
Final Words
By now, the science is overwhelming and clear: obesity, at least in its more extreme forms, can cause cancer.
While you might be able to convince yourself otherwise, at least if you’re struggling with severe obesity, you might want to consider getting that weight off before it’s too late.
As more research comes out, we’re finding more links between a high BMI and cancer risk. What is also clear is that a healthy diet and regular exercise are key components in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
Start there, then consider using one of the many tools to help you with a healthier lifestyle.
