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Obesity and cancer
Eugenia E Calle1, Michael J Thun
1Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. jcalle@cancer.org
Oncogene
|August 24, 2004
Summary
Obesity is linked to numerous cancers, potentially being the largest avoidable cause of cancer in non-smokers. Overweight and obesity may cause a significant portion of cancer deaths in the US.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Prospective studies demonstrate a significant association between obesity and several cancer types.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies obesity as a sufficient cause for specific cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the strong link between obesity and cancer.
- To emphasize the potential of weight management in cancer prevention.
- To estimate the proportion of cancer deaths attributable to obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of large prospective studies on obesity and cancer.
- Analysis of IARC classifications regarding obesity and cancer causality.
- Estimation of cancer mortality attributed to overweight and obesity.
Main Results:
- Sufficient evidence links obesity to cancers of the colon, postmenopausal breast, endometrium, kidney, and esophagus (adenocarcinoma).
- Overeating is suggested as the largest avoidable cause of cancer in non-smokers.
- Overweight and obesity are estimated to account for 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% in women in the US.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for several cancers.
- Weight reduction could significantly impact cancer risk and mortality.
- Addressing the obesity epidemic is crucial for cancer prevention strategies.