(NAPS)—Emerging
research suggests a link between obesity and the risk of developing and dying
from many common cancers. Obesity is quickly overtaking tobacco as the leading
preventable cause of cancer, with as many as 84,000 cancer diagnoses attributed
to obesity each year in the United States. It is also estimated that obesity or
excess weight contributes to as many as one in five cancer-related deaths.
The
good news is that scientists are beginning to understand potential biological
explanations for why obesity contributes to the development and progression of
cancer. For example, current research shows a relationship between higher
levels of insulin in a person’s blood, which is common in people who are obese,
and the development of certain types of cancer.
In
addition, hormones produced in fat cells have been shown to stimulate the
growth of tumors, and it is also not unusual for people who are obese to have
low-level chronic inflammation in tissues in the body. Chronic inflammation is
a confirmed risk factor for certain types of cancers.
There
is also existing data linking obesity, inactivity and poor diet to poorer
outcomes in patients with cancer. Obesity is caused by a combination of
factors, but it is never too late to take steps to improve your health.
Making Lifestyle Changes
The
best time to start a weight loss program or focus on making healthy lifestyle
changes varies for each person. For some, a cancer diagnosis may spur a
patient’s decision to focus on his or her health beyond cancer, encouraging
healthy eating choices and increasing activity.
The
first step is to talk with your doctor. Your doctor can calculate your body
mass index (BMI) and evaluate your overall health and fitness level to find out
if you would benefit from losing weight or making lifestyle changes to maintain
your current weight.
Here
are some additional tips from Cancer.Net for making healthy lifestyle changes:
• Eat and drink only as many calories as you need
to maintain a healthy weight and support your level of physical activity. Talk
to your health care provider about ways to reduce calories if your BMI shows
that you are overweight or obese.
• Increase levels of physical activity. Even a
small increase in physical activity has benefits.
• Get support. Most weight loss programs include
more than one session with a dietitian or weight loss specialist to help you
make healthy lifestyle changes and stick with them over time.
For more information and to download additional resources
for patients and caregivers, visit www.cancer.net/obesity. Cancer.Net is the
patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(ASCO), the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians
who care for people with cancer. Cancer.Net is supported by the Conquer Cancer
Foundation.
Recent research suggests a link
between obesity and cancer.
No comments:
Post a Comment