How obesity increases cancer risk

Obesity is a growing global health issue linked to a higher risk of many cancers.

A detailed review published in Frontiers of Medicine explores the biological pathways that connect obesity to cancer and discusses ways to prevent obesity-related cancers.

Obesity impacts the body in several ways that increase cancer risk.

One key factor is chronic low-grade inflammation in fat tissue, where immune cells release substances called cytokines that can promote cancer development.

Hormonal imbalances also play a role. For example, higher estrogen levels in obese individuals, especially postmenopausal women, are strongly linked to certain cancers.

Another contributing factor is the gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms living in the digestive system. In obesity, the balance of these microbes is disrupted, leading to inflammation and increased cancer risk.

Fat tissue itself acts as an endocrine organ, producing substances called adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin. In obesity, leptin levels are often elevated, which can promote cancer, while adiponectin, which has protective effects, is often reduced.

Physical changes in the body, such as increased abdominal pressure and fibrosis (a thickening of tissue), may also contribute to cancer development in obese individuals.

Strategies to Prevent Obesity-Related Cancer

Managing weight is crucial in reducing the risk of cancers linked to obesity. The review highlights several effective prevention strategies:

Dietary Changes: Eating a balanced diet can lower cancer risk. Diets like low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and Mediterranean diets help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two key factors in cancer development.
Exercise: Regular physical activity improves metabolism and reduces chronic inflammation, lowering the risk of obesity-associated cancers.
Bariatric Surgery: For individuals with severe obesity, bariatric surgery can significantly reduce cancer risk by promoting substantial weight loss. Studies show a noticeable decrease in cancer incidence after surgery.
Medications: Weight loss medications and drugs that target cancer-related pathways provide a non-surgical option for reducing cancer risk in obese individuals.

Challenges and Areas for Further Research

While significant progress has been made in understanding the connection between obesity and cancer, there are still unanswered questions. For instance, how do the effects of obesity on cancer risk differ between inherited and acquired obesity? How does aging influence these risks?

Additionally, researchers are examining the complex relationship between obesity, gut microbiota imbalances, and cancer.

The review calls for more research to address these questions and to explore personalized strategies for preventing and treating obesity-related cancers. Tailored approaches could consider individual factors like genetics, age, and specific types of cancer.

Obesity increases the risk of cancer through multiple mechanisms, including inflammation, hormonal changes, and disruptions in the gut microbiota and adipokine levels.

By adopting healthy lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, and using medical interventions when necessary, individuals can significantly reduce their cancer risk.

As obesity rates continue to rise globally, understanding and addressing its link to cancer is more important than ever. Ongoing research will be key to developing personalized prevention and treatment strategies, helping to combat the dual burden of obesity and cancer on public health.

If you care about cancer, please read studies about vitamin D and bowel cancer, and a cautionary note about peanuts and cancer.

For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between ultra-processed foods and cancer, and everyday foods to ward off pancreatic cancer.

The research findings can be found in Frontiers of Medicine.