Obesity and Cancer

Being overweight or obese (extremely overweight) indicates that your body has more fat than other tissue, such as muscle and bone. Excess weight increases the risk of some forms of cancer as well as the return of cancer after treatment.

Why is being overweight linked to cancer risk?

The relationship between body weight and cancer risk is currently being studied by researchers. They discovered numerous reasons why your weight might influence your cancer risk. These are some examples:

Extra weight raises your insulin and insulin growth factor-1 levels (IGF-1). Too much of this hormone can aid in the development of some malignancies.

In addition, fat tissue generates more estrogen. Some malignancies, such as breast cancer, can be aided by Estrogen.

Chronic, low-level inflammation is more frequent in obese persons (especially those with higher abdominal fat), and it has been related to an increased cancer risk.

Fat cells have an impact on how your body regulates cancer cell proliferation.

Changes in your weight over your lifetime can also affect your risk of cancer. Studies show that the following factors can affect your risk:

· Weighing more than most babies at birth

· Gaining weight as an adult

· Losing weight and gaining it back over and over

Eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise reduces your chance of developing cancer. Making these healthy choices can also lower your chance of cancer recurrence if you are a cancer survivor.

What types of cancer are linked to being overweight or obese?

The following types of cancer have been linked to being overweight or obese:

· Breast cancer

· Uterine cancer

· Prostate cancer

· Pancreatic cancer

· Gallbladder cancer

· Thyroid cancer

· Colorectal cancer

· Head and neck cancer

· Esophageal cancer

Maintaining your weight
If you and your health care team are satisfied with your weight and do not desire to lose or gain weight, you should take steps to maintain your weight stable. Here are some simple tips:

• Consume plenty of veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.

• Consume meals that satisfy your hunger, such as almonds, seafood, and olive oil.

• Avoid highly processed foods such as chips, white bread, cookies, and packaged meals that include a lot of artificial ingredients.

• Set a goal of 30 to 60 minutes of physical exercise on most days of the week. Physical exercise might be moderate or intense. Take a brisk walk, join an exercise class, or go for a run. If you can't obtain 30 to 60 minutes, do what you can. Even a few more minutes a day reduces your cancer risk.

Reducing cancer risk if you are overweight or obese
If you are overweight or obese, the best strategies to improve your health are to eat better and exercise more. Losing as little as 5% to 10% of your total body weight can reduce your chance of developing cancer. It may appear to be a modest quantity, but research shows that it can improve your health. Even if decreasing weight is difficult for you, eating a more balanced diet and exercising consistently can help lower your cancer risk.