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Disease Categories
Reducing Cancer Risk
➤ Intentional weight loss among patients with excess adiposity
reduces the risk of cancer via decreased inflammation, oxidative
stress, and cellular DNA damage.
➤ In patients with obesity and cancer, weight loss is associated with
decreased cancer cell proliferation, enhanced cancer cell death,
and enhanced response to cancer treatment.
➤ In general, besides the Mediterranean diet, the effect of dietary
patterns has not been widely studied.
• The Mediterranean diet has been associated with a decreased risk of
colorectal, breast, gastric, prostate, liver, and head and neck cancer.
➤ Foods containing phytochemicals, fiber, and antioxidants can
potentially reduce the risk of cancer.
• Examples of these include f ruits, vegetables, nuts, and other plant-
based foods.
• Antioxidants may be most benef icial when obtained f rom
healthful food, compared to vitamin pills or other supplements.
➤ In general, the addition to physical activity of medical nutrition
therapy reduces cancer-related inflammatory and hormonal
biomarkers, thereby reducing the risk of cancer incidence.
➤ In patients with cancer, physical activity:
• Reduces the risk of cancer recurrence.
• Inhibits cancer cell proliferation.
• Increases cancer cell apoptosis.
• Favorably affects inflammation, immune response, and cancer
metabolism.
• Enhances effectiveness of cancer treatment.
• Counteracts cancer and cancer treatment-related complications.
➤ The effect of weight loss interventions with anti-obesity
medications on cancer risk has not been evaluated.
• Notably, GLP-1 analogues are used for the treatment of overweight
and obesity and have been associated with thyroid C-cell
proliferation in animal models.
• However, a meta-analysis concluded that there was no signif icant
effect on thyroid cancer risk in patients receiving GLP-1 analogs.
