From Dr. Wood’s handout “Obesity Related Cancers.” The quoted lines on this page are hers.
How big the link is
The National Cancer Institute reports that overweight and obesity are associated with at least 13 types of cancer (NCI). Some, such as endometrial and ovarian cancer, affect only women; most affect everyone.
The cancers on the list
- Meningioma, in the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord
- Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
- Multiple myeloma, a cancer of blood cells
- Kidney cancer
- Endometrial cancer, in the lining of the uterus
- Ovarian cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Breast cancer after menopause
- Liver cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Cancer of the upper stomach
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colon and rectal cancer
Why weight affects cancer risk
Dr. Wood’s handout explains it this way. Obesity keeps the body in a state of chronic inflammation, which can damage cells over time. Excess fat also raises levels of hormones such as insulin and estrogen, and fat cells release growth factors like IGF-1 — signals that tell cells to grow and divide. More growth means more chances for the mistakes that become cancer.
What helps
The habits that lower weight are the ones Dr. Wood recommends here:
- Eat whole foods every day, in smaller portions at every meal.
- Limit red meat, and choose whole grains when you can.
- Eat more vegetables and fiber.
- Cut back on processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks.
- Move more: the CDC’s floor is 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (CDC).
- Spend less of the week sitting.
- Sleep enough — her handout says at least six to eight hours.
Even a modest loss counts: 5% to 10% of starting weight may lower blood sugar, blood pressure and triglycerides (NIDDK). If you have tried these on your own, medical weight management adds labs, a plan and a physician watching the numbers with you.