The Link Between Excess Weight and Increased Cancer Risk: 13 Types Affected

Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of developing at least 13 types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These cancers include breast cancer in postmenopausal women, multiple myeloma, meningioma (a type of brain cancer), and cancers of the esophagus, colon and rectum, uterus, gallbladder, upper stomach, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, and thyroid.

In the United States alone, more than 684,000 cases of cancer associated with excess weight are diagnosed each year, with the majority occurring in individuals aged 50 and older. The American Cancer Society estimates that excess weight is responsible for approximately 11 percent of cancers in women, 5 percent in men, and 7 percent of all cancer-related deaths. The risk of developing cancer increases with the amount of weight a person carries and the duration of being overweight.

Excess weight can lead to various bodily changes that contribute to the development of cancer-related conditions, such as chronic inflammation and elevated levels of hormones like estrogen, insulin, and insulin-like growth-factor. Additionally, excess body fat can impair the ability of cancer cells to spread or metastasize, as highlighted by the cancer society.

It is important to note that being overweight or obese does not guarantee the development of cancer, but rather increases the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis compared to individuals who maintain a healthier weight. The CDC emphasizes that maintaining a healthy weight, along with not smoking, is one of the most crucial steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of cancer.

This article is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series, which provides a brief overview of the statistical aspects of health issues. Additional information and relevant research can be accessed through the provided hyperlinks.

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which cancer is specifically linked to a high bmi

Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of developing at least 13 types of cancer, as stated by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These cancers include breast cancer in postmenopausal women, multiple myeloma, meningioma (a type of brain cancer), as well as cancers of the esophagus, colon and rectum, uterus, gallbladder, upper stomach, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, and thyroid.

In the United States alone, more than 684,000 cases of weight-related cancers are diagnosed each year, with the majority occurring in individuals aged 50 and older. Excess weight accounts for around 11 percent of cancers in women, 5 percent in men, and 7 percent of all cancer-related deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of cancer increases with the amount of weight a person carries and the duration of being overweight.

Excess weight can lead to various bodily changes that contribute to the development of cancer-related conditions, including chronic inflammation and elevated levels of hormones such as estrogen, insulin, and insulin-like growth-factor. Moreover, excess body fat can impair the ability of cancer cells to spread or metastasize, as highlighted by the cancer society.

It is important to understand that being overweight or obese does not guarantee the development of cancer, but it does increase the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis compared to individuals who maintain a healthier weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that maintaining a healthy weight, along with not smoking, is one of the most crucial steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of cancer.

For more in-depth information and relevant research on this topic, you can refer to the provided links. The article mentioned is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series, which offers a concise overview of the statistical aspects of health issues. Feel free to visit [source] for more health and wellness stories.