Being overweight is linked to many health problems, including cancer. Some studies have shown that obesity is linked to at least 13 types of cancer.
In some regions, such as North America, Europe and the Middle East, obesity contributes to up to 9% of all cancer cases. It may become the leading cause of cancer in women in the UK within the next 25 years. So it is clear that losing weight is an important health goal.
However, a recent study has reached an unexpected result, according to the “SenseAlert“, revealing links between weight loss and increased cancer risk.
It found that weight loss was associated with a significantly higher rate of cancer in the 12 months following weight loss, compared to those who did not lose weight.
In preparing the study, data from about 160,000 people was collected over an average of 28 years. These people reported details of their health and lifestyle every two years until 2016. The researchers paid special attention to their weight changes.
Participants were divided into three groups based on the extent to which weight loss was intentional: “high” for those who promoted diet and exercise, “medium” for those who reported improvements in diet or exercise, and “low” for no significant improvements in either area. .
Among the participants, a surprising finding was that people who lost more than 10% of their body weight had a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer in the following year.
But not all cancers were equally linked to weight loss. The study found a strong relationship between weight loss and cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus and stomach), liver, pancreas, and bile ducts.
For these species, the risk was much higher, with chances increasing between three and more than seven times. The association was weaker for colorectal and lung cancer, and did not appear to affect the risk of breast, prostate, and cancers that only affect women.
However, the study authors are cautious. They know that their research has some limits. First, they relied on people’s reports of their weight, which may not always be accurate.
They also note that participants only record data every two years, which means some details could be missed. In addition, the study was mostly focused on health professionals in the United States, who may be more aware of cancer and have better access to health care.
Notably, the risk was highest in those who made the least effort to lose weight (those rated low). So, upon closer examination, this study may support the conventional wisdom, which is, “If you’re losing weight without trying, it’s important to find out why.”
What’s new here is that the study helps identify types of cancer that may be causing unexpected weight loss. This means that when someone loses weight for no apparent reason, doctors may focus more on screening for certain cancers, such as those in the stomach or liver area, to see what’s going on.
On the other hand, there is a lot of evidence showing the benefits of losing weight intentionally. For example, a study published in 2022 found that people who made significant lifestyle changes were 16% less likely to develop obesity-related cancer. Another study from the same year found that weight-loss surgery significantly reduces the risk of developing and dying from cancer.
Therefore, it is important to remember the proven benefits of weight control and activity for cancer prevention.
2024-03-04 06:13:15
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