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Disease Categories
TOP 10 TAKEAWAY MESSAGES:
Obesity and Cancer
1. Obesity is the second most common preventable cause of
cancer after cigarette smoking and may soon become the most
common cause. For nonsmokers, obesity is the most common
preventable cause of cancer.
2. Among U.S. adults, 40% of new cancer diagnoses are attributed
to obesity, disproportionately affecting women and people aged
>50 years.
3. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between
obesity and cancer vary by anatomic site and specific biologic
characteristics (e.g., sex, menopausal status).
4. In general, adiposopathy induces oxidative stress and
inflammation that increase the malignant conversion potential
of cells and induce growth, proliferation, and metastasis of these
malignant cells.
5. Hyperinsulinemia promotes cell growth.
6. Aromatase is found in adipose tissue and converts androgens to
estrogen, which may be a contributing factor to certain cancers
(e.g., breast, endometrial).
7. Several nutritional factors have been associated with an
increased risk of cancer, e.g., methods for food processing,
preservation, and preparation.
8. Intentional weight loss reduces the risk of cancer in patients with
obesity and improves cancer outcomes in patients with cancer
and obesity.
9. The amount of weight loss positively correlates with cancer
incidence risk reduction.
10. Bariatric surgery has been shown to decrease cancer incidence
and cancer-related mortality.
