Guest column: The link between obesity and cancer

Obesity is a growing national problem and its list of related health issues is growing along with it. And it's hitting close to home. In fact, chances are someone you love is at risk.

In addition to obesity's serious effects like diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases, there looms an increased risk of cancer. Cancers of the esophagus, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), colon and rectum, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, gallbladder and other possible cancer types are present at higher rates in the obese.

With obesity also come changes in lifestyle such as avoiding the doctor, poor diet, lack of physical activity and stress. Death also is more likely to occur from these health problems. In fact, 90,000 deaths each year in the U.S. are directly related to obesity.

The link between cancer and obesity is believed to be a result of the many metabolic and hormonal shifts that occur with obesity. These changes can launch, grow and reproduce cancer cells and tumors, even causing tumors to grow elsewhere in the body.

Reasons behind the higher percentage of cancer in obese persons include:

· Higher rates of estrogen in fat tissue;

· Increased levels of insulin;

· Fat cell hormone production which stimulates or hinders cell growth; and

· Chronic low-level inflammation.

In all cases, the link appears to result from gaining weight during adulthood, high blood pressure, a growing waist measurement, high BMI and the physical problems of obesity in general. These issues are compounded in a body already struggling with the increased demands of weight.

The good news is that weight loss has a direct and positive effect on both health problems and cancer. Observational studies have shown a decreased risk in cancers among those who lose weight. When bariatric surgery is combined with lifestyle changes in obese patients, they generally lose 30 percent of their body weight compared to only 7 to 10 percent through dieting strategies alone. Those who have bariatric surgery appear to lower their cancer risk as they reduce their size.

To attain a healthy weight, the American Institute of Cancer Research recommends filling two-thirds of your dinner plate with nuts, seeds, beans, fruits and vegetables plus whole grains. These cancer-fighting foods will benefit the entire family, while creating a healthy routine for those who need to lose weight. Good eating habits, physical activity and reduced stress lead to healthier lifestyles for all, and in obese persons, such a lifestyle can be a life-saver.

Exercise is also important and it doesn't have to be time consuming or exhausting. Walking is the simplest and most natural form of exercise. Walking five days a week for 30 minutes at a time can deliver countless benefits to your health. Research shows walking for 10 minutes, three times a day is just as effective as walking once a day for 30 minutes. This is good news because if you get joint irritation with exercise or you get easily fatigued, you can now break up the exercise throughout the day.

Gigi Sorenson, R.N., M.S.N., is the director of FMC's Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Center.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read