Colorectal cancer: gaining weight increases risk; see symptoms – 05/19/2023 – Equilibrium

Interested in understanding the effects of changes in BMI (body mass index) on cancer risk, US researchers analyzed data from 135,000 patients between 1993 and 2001. They found that obesity and overweight in late adulthood are related to a greater probability of developing gastrointestinal tumors. Colorectal cancer is the main one.

The results were published in the scientific journal JAMA Network.

During the study, a quarter of the participants were diagnosed with cancer, of which 15% (5,000 people) were gastrointestinal. The most prevalent among them were colorectal, with 55.1% of cases, followed by pancreas, gastric, esophagus and liver. Participants were between 55 and 74 years old.

Colon and rectum disease is the third most frequent in men and second in women in Brazil, according to Inca (National Cancer Institute). Another with a high incidence is the stomach, which occupies the fourth and sixth position respectively. Together, it is estimated that they account for one third of deaths from tumors in the world.

Obesity is related to health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, risk of heart attack and other types of cancer. According to researchers, fat cells induce inflammatory processes that cause dysregulation in the body. Therefore, overweight is more associated with the formation of tumors in the regions closest to fat reserves. Other risk factors for gastrointestinal cancers include smoking, alcohol consumption, an unbalanced diet, chronic inflammation and infections.

Paulo Henrique Diniz, professor at UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais) and oncologist at the Mater Dei Health Network, says that obesity is not only a risk factor for the disease, but also alters the natural development of cancer, leading to higher mortality. higher among patients.

Diet also has impacts on the development of cancer. One of the many effects of a bad diet is dysbiosis, that is, an imbalance in the intestinal flora. In January of this year, specialists from different countries published an article warning of the risks of the disease in case of low intake of nutrients. At work, they estimate that 20% of cases of tumors in the world are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.

Food choice has a direct impact on the beings that inhabit the intestines, the mouth and the entire digestive tract. Although most are beneficial, some can produce toxins capable of promoting inflammation, metabolic disorders and tumors. The consumption of ultra-processed foods and the use of antibiotics without medical advice, experts point out, are among the main factors responsible for dysbiosis. However, there is still a lack of studies and data capable of identifying the most dangerous pathogens.

If, on the one hand, a bad diet can bring negative consequences, on the other hand, argue the authors of the work, nutritional interventions can help in the prevention of diseases through the prescription of adequate diets, supplements and probiotics. Monitoring a nutritionist can also help with weight control.

Researcher at UFF (Fluminense Federal University) and oncological surgeon at Inca, Antônio Accetta highlights the need for preventive exams. Colonoscopy allows the identification of malignant intestinal polyps, which have the ability to evolve into tumors, which may require their removal even before the manifestation of cancer.

The specialist recommends the exam for everyone over 45 years old, and even earlier for people who have risk factors or family history.

See colorectal cancer symptoms

Learn about the manifestations of the disease according to the FDA (American Food and Drug Regulatory Agency).

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Narrow or bloody stools
• Feeling that the intestine is not completely empty
• vomit
• Weight loss
• gases
• abdominal colic
• Tiredness or weakness