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Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy for Remnant Gastric Cancer

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Does intentional weight loss reduce cancer risk?

T Byers¹, R L Sedjo

¹Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA. tim.byers@ucdenver.edu

Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism

|July 8, 2011

Summary

Intentional weight loss may reduce cancer risk. Studies show reduced cancer incidence and key biomarkers like oestrogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) following weight loss, suggesting a prompt protective effect.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Metabolic Health
Epidemiology

Background:

Obesity is a significant risk factor for numerous cancers, including breast, endometrial, colorectal, kidney, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers.
The potential for intentional weight loss to mitigate this elevated cancer risk remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of intentional weight loss on cancer incidence.
To examine changes in cancer-relevant biomarkers following intentional weight loss, including hormones and inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature search for observational cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving dietary interventions and bariatric surgery.
Analysis of studies reporting cancer risk changes and alterations in biomarkers such as oestrogens, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α).

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Main Results:

Observational and RCT data indicate a prompt decrease in cancer incidence following intentional weight loss.
Significant reductions in oestrogen levels and increases in SHBG were observed, with a 10% weight loss potentially reducing free estradiol by one-third.
Substantial decreases in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were noted, alongside smaller reductions in TNF-α and IL-6. Changes in IGF-I and IGF binding proteins were inconsistent.

Conclusions:

Intentional weight loss appears to lead to relatively rapid reductions in cancer incidence.
The observed decreases in cancer biomarkers suggest that intentional weight loss may offer a meaningful and timely reduction in cancer risk.