In recent years, obesity has been extensively associated with numerous health complications, with cancer emerging as a particularly significant concern. Extensive research indicates that being overweight is correlated with as many as 13 different types of cancer. Moreover, regions such as North America, Europe, and the Middle East attribute up to 9% of all cancer cases to obesity. Even more alarmingly, there is a forecast suggesting that obesity could become the primary cause of cancer in women in the UK within the next 25 years. Consequently, weight loss is unquestionably a critical health objective.
Despite the solid established connection between obesity and cancer, a recent study yielded a surprising outcome. It revealed that weight loss was linked to a notably higher rate of cancer in the 12 months following the weight loss, as compared to individuals who did not lose weight.
The study relied on data from nearly 160,000 health professionals who have been observed for an average of 28 years, reporting their health and lifestyle details every two years up to 2016. The participants were categorised into three groups based on the intentionality of their weight loss: high intentionality, medium intentionality, and low intentionality. An impactful finding was that individuals who lost more than 10% of their body weight had a significantly higher risk of cancer diagnoses in the subsequent year.
However, the association between weight loss and cancer was not uniform across all types of cancer. The study revealed a robust link between weight loss and cancers of the upper digestive system, liver, pancreas, and bile ducts, with the risk increasing from three to more than seven times. Conversely, the link with colorectal and lung cancer was weaker, and it did not appear to impact the likelihood of developing breast, prostate, and gynaecological cancers.
It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the study, particularly in the reliance on self-reported weight data and the infrequency of participant check-ins. Furthermore, the study primarily focused on US health professionals, who potentially have a heightened awareness of cancer and better access to healthcare.
A significant observation from the study was that the risk was highest in individuals who displayed the least effort in weight loss, underscoring the importance of investigating unintentional weight loss.
While the study’s results shed light on unexpected weight loss and its potential links to certain cancers, prevailing evidence continues to highlight the benefits of deliberate weight loss. For instance, a 2022 study demonstrated that individuals who made substantial lifestyle changes had a 16% lower risk of obesity-related cancers, while another study from the same year indicated that weight-loss surgery significantly lowered the risk of cancer and mortality.
It is crucial to recognise the established benefits of weight management and physical activity in cancer prevention. The multifaceted nature of weight management encompasses medication, surgery, and lifestyle modifications. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to overall wellness may pave the way for personalised approaches to weight management and cancer prevention.
The findings suggest the possibility that being slightly overweight in later life may not be as detrimental as previously believed, and could even be linked to increased longevity. As the global obesity crisis persists, this insight could potentially inform tailored strategies for weight management and cancer prevention.
The research discussed in this article was funded by Cancer Research UK and authored by Gianmarco Contino from the University of Birmingham. The original article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
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