How Weight Might Affect Cancer Risk

Many new cancer cases tied to being overweight or obese

(RxWiki News) Cancer types associated with being overweight or obese may account for almost half of cancer diagnoses in the United States, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Currently, research suggests that 13 types of cancer are tied to being overweight or obese, according to the CDC. These 13 types made up 40 percent of the cancers diagnosed in the US in 2014, according to a new report from the CDC.

This report found that 630,000 Americans were diagnosed with one of these obesity-related cancers in 2014.

“A majority of American adults weigh more than recommended — and being overweight or obese puts people at higher risk for a number of cancers — so these findings are a cause for concern,” said CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald in a press release. “By getting to and keeping a healthy weight, we all can play a role in cancer prevention.”

Women appeared to have a higher risk of being diagnosed with an obesity-related cancer. These cancer types accounted for 55 percent of cancer diagnoses in women and 24 percent in men, this report found.

The cancer types tied to being obese or overweight include colorectal, uterine, ovarian, kidney, pancreatic, liver, stomach, gallbladder, breast and thyroid cancer, as well as adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, multiple myeloma and meningioma.

For help maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your health care provider.

These findings were published in the CDC's Vital Signs report.

Review Date: 
October 13, 2017