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Obesity and Cancer- Are They Related?
| Posted on Jul 25, 2011 |
Being overweight is not just about how you look in a swimsuit. In fact, being overweight is deadly. One out of every 3 cancers diagnosed in the United States is related to obesity, physical inactivity or poor nutrition. Out of these 3, obesity seems be the strongest predictor of cancer risk. Being overweight has been associated with endometrial (uterine), esophageal, pancreatic, kidney, gallbladder, breast, colon, thyroid, ovary and cervical cancer. It has also been linked to some types of blood cancer including multiple myeloma and Hodgkins lymphoma.
How Does Body Fat Increase Your Risk of Cancer?
Obesity is thought to increase the risk of cancer through several different mechanisms all of which are not completely understood. One possibility is related to hormones in your body. Excess fat increases the amount of hormones like insulin and estrogen which are linked to increased cancer risk. Obesity may affect your bodies immune system, causing chronic inflammation and a higher likelihood of cancer. Obesity can also alter the factors that regulate cell division and how your body processes fat and sugars. Some or all of these mechanisms may explain the obesity / cancer connection.
Breast Cancer and Obesity
The risk of breast cancer in an obese women depends on her menopausal status. Before menopause, obese women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to women of a healthy weight. However, after menopause, obese women have a 50% increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to women of a healthy weight. The increased risk of developing breast cancer is believed to be due to increased estrogen levels in obese women. The ovaries are the primary source of estrogen before menopause, but fat is also a source of estrogen. With menopause, when the ovaries stop producing hormones, fat tissue becomes the main producer of estrogen. Estrogen levels in postmenopausal women are 50 to 100 % higher among obese versus healthy weight women. Estrogen-sensitive tissues are exposed to more estrogen in obese women, leading to a more rapid growth of estrogen-responsive breast cancers.
How Can You Decrease Your Risk of Cancer?
Experts recommend that you establish habits of healthy eating and physical activity to prevent becoming overweight. By staying fit and avoiding excessive weight gain you can reduce the risk of many cancers.
But if you are already overweight, remember that it is never too late to decrease your risk of cancer and heart disease. A healthy diet, regular exercise and even modest weight loss can lead to a longer and happier life.
A simple plan for healthy, permanent weight loss. Visit us to learn how the Achieve-Life weight loss program can help you achieve the life you've always wanted.
All articles on Achieve-Life.com are written by board certified physicians.
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