Overweight increases the risk of 13 types of cancer by 11% – 11/27/2023 – Balance

Researchers from the United Kingdom reveal, in a new study, that being overweight, even without comorbidities, is directly related to a higher incidence of 13 different types of cancer. The discovery is the result of a meta-analysis that compared information from almost 600,000 adults available in the UK Biobank and EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) databases.

There was still no consensus among experts whether overweight directly favored the emergence of tumors or whether it acted through the emergence of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic comorbidities, such as diabetes. However, comparing the health data of research participants with and without these diseases, it became clear to the study authors that fat accumulation is a relevant risk factor in itself.

The results showed that an increase of 5 points in BMI (body mass index) among participants led to a higher incidence of cancer of the order of 11%, both in people with or without cardiometabolic diseases. The emergence of a tumor is a complex process, which can take years or decades, and depends on a series of factors, such as diet and nutrition, physical activity, environment and personal health conditions.

The existence of cardiovascular comorbidities, however, proved to be even more harmful to health. An increase in body mass of the same order in patients with these diseases increases the number of cases of neoplasms by 17%. The results were published in the scientific journal BMC Medicina.

According to Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, the results reinforce how obesity and overweight are important risk factors for cancer. “This is something we wish people knew more about. We advocate for stronger policies around the world that encourage healthier bodies.”

But the expert highlights that the work still has limitations, and that it is necessary to look for similar results in other studies that help in the design of public policies. One of the problems she highlights is the use of exclusively European data, which does not reflect, for example, the Latin American reality. Another is the use of BMI as a measure of overweight.

Calculated only by the ratio of body mass to height, the index does not provide direct information on the presence and distribution of fat throughout the body. “It’s a good measure for large samples,” says Croker, but it’s not useful for diagnosis on a personal level.

Statistically, patients with a BMI greater than 25 are at greater risk of developing at least 13 different types of tumors, including colorectal, liver, kidney, pancreatic, ovarian and, especially, breast tumors after menopause.

Andrea Damin, doctor and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul), highlights that in the latter case, obesity can increase hormone levels and promote an inflammatory environment, all pro-oncogenic factors.

The specialist adds that, in Brazil, the number of breast cancer cases is prevalent, especially in patients under 50 years of age, who are still out of screening. Today, this tumor is the second most common tumor in the female population, behind only melanoma, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.

“People don’t really know the impact of obesity,” says Damin. According to her, many patients do not seek preventive tests due to a lack of family history of the disease. But reality shows, for the specialist, that only in a very small number of cases are genetics the main factor at play.

The fight against overweight and obesity are also allies in the treatment of the disease. The Brazilian Society of Oncology recommends the prescription of physical exercises for cancer patients, but according to the doctor, this recommendation is not made.

A systematic study carried out by Spanish researchers shows that combined intervention on nutrition and physical activity in breast cancer patients leads to significant improvements in cardiorespiratory capacity, muscle strength, body composition, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep.

Published in the scientific journal Nutrients, the work analyzed 13 different randomized and controlled clinical studies, encompassing a total of more than 1,500 patients. The results also reveal that a holistic approach to the problem is necessary, promoting complete lifestyle changes, and not just eating or exercising separately.

Just as it is not necessary to wait for the diagnosis of the disease to start cultivating new habits, it is also never too late.

The results of a 14-year follow-up carried out with more than 400 Canadian women reveal that a greater frequency of physical activity, both before and after the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, was favorable for extending the lives of these patients by up to 67% more years than than those with sedentary behavior. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

In addition to preventing overweight and obesity, lifestyle changes also help to directly prevent cancer, adds Professor Damin, in addition to providing other benefits for health and well-being in general.

The specialist adds that any physical activity works in the patient’s favor, including the habit of using stairs or cleaning the house. “Being more active helps.”