The relationship between obesity and cancer

Obesity could become our greatest health problem!

Smoking is currently the environmental factor with the greatest cancer-causing capacity, followed by obesity. However, after 2020, obesity is expected to become the leading cancer factor worldwide.

- The figure belowshows the most commonly used method for calculating obesity, body mass index (VKİ) and its calculation.

Obesity has increased markedly over the past 40 years, and this appears likely to continue. Worldwide, more than 600 million adults have a body mass index consistent with obesity, meaning at least 30 kg / m2 or higher.

- The video belowshows how obesity rates have increased like an epidemic worldwide over the past 40 years.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) states that excess fat, for at least 13 cancers, has a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effect supported by sufficient evidence. Avoiding obesity likewise protects against these cancers.

- The figure belowshows "cancers directly associated with obesity":

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How does obesity cause cancer?

Several mechanisms are proposed for cancer development in obese individuals, including differences in growth factors and sex hormones. The 4 most accepted theories are:

1. Growth (increased cellular volume and contents), 
2. Immune system and tumor-regulating functions affected by increased adipocytokines (certain substances originating from fat cells); 
3. Constitutional inflammation and oxidative stress (accumulation of harmful substances at cellular level), 
4. An altered microbiome.

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Longstanding studies prove that excessive weight gain increases certain unwanted, cancer-triggering substances in our body. These may be hormones or cell stimulators called cytokines. Examples include insulin growth factor, estrogen and testosterone. Their prolonged elevation triggers chronic inflammationand initiates cancer development. Abdominal fat accumulation, or an increased waist-to-hip ratio, may be associated with cancer development. Maintaining an ideal ratio should therefore be a goal for healthy people.

Being overweight, meaning obese, contributes approximately % 20 to cancer-related deaths. In men, excess weight has been observed to increase risks including colon and rectal (large intestine), kidney, esophageal and pancreatic cancers. It may also increase gallbladder and liver cancer risk and play an active role in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and prostate cancer risk.

Recent studies show obese women are, compared with normal-weight women, % 40 more likelyto develop cancer. Obesity-related cancers in women include intestinal, bladder, uterine, kidney, pancreatic, esophageal and particularly postmenopausal breast cancers.

Numerous clinical studies have focused on cancer and unbalanced/unhealthy eating. Weight loss through regular eating and exercise has been shown to reduce cancer risk in overweight people. The main mechanism implicated is insulin resistance and excess secretion of an insulin-like substance. This reverses in people losing weight and adopting healthy living. People should be encouraged and supported to lose weight and prevent overweight or obesity, known triggers of many life-threatening diseases. In addition, refined and processed foods, high glycemic index and fast food characterize a Western-style diet, which is a cancer risk factor independently of obesity.

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Watching your eating pattern and foods supplies necessary minerals and vitamins and prevents excessive weight gain and obesity. Focus on vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Avoid foods that are frozen, excessively fatty, salty, sugary or contain additives. By not skipping the day's most important meal, breakfast , do yourself a favor and set a good example for your child. Cook red meat without burning to avoid harmful carcinogens, and eat meat once weekly. Eating fish 2-3 times weekly and chicken also helps meet omega-3 and vitamin needs.

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Children eating regularly and healthily will not gain excessive weight. Limit junk food, chocolate, chips and foods and drinks containing fat and sugar. If possible, provide plenty of natural fruit and vegetables and appropriate amounts of meat, chicken and fish. Overweight children have greater disease risk. Higher cancer risk in overweight adults must also be remembered. Maintain a healthy weight at every age.

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