Cancer & Obesity
- Valerie Sutherland, MD
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Chronic weight management pharmacotherapy has been revolutionized in the last few years by gaining FDA approval for three indications that are not weight loss, including metabolic associated fatty liver disease, established cardiovascular disease, and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. This has helped improve access to care as well as focus clinical attention. While reducing excess weight has been well-known to improve cardiometabolic disease and conditions related to excess mechanical forces, the relationship between overweight/obesity and cancer is perhaps less addressed. Perhaps it is time to turn our attention to cancer risk and excess weight. After all, when cardiometabolic disease, cancer, infections, and accidents are the major causes of death and disability, excluding preventable medical errors.
Overweight/Obesity and Cancer Risk
It is estimated that having overweight/obesity is associated with a higher risk of 13 different types of cancer, which account for 40% of all cancers. The World Health Organization estimates that 30-50% of all cancers are preventable.
Weight Loss Reduces Cancer Risk
A real-world observational study of approximately 140,000 patients followed over 10 years showed that each 1% reduction in BMI was linked to a reduced obesity-related cancer risk at as early as 3 years. Weight loss was also associated with a lower risk of any type of cancer. Weight loss was defined by either a 5% or 10% weight loss. A 10% weight loss was associated with a larger risk reduction than a 5% weight loss.
Weight Loss & Cancer Survivorship
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Patients identify three goals for cancer survivors:
Achieve a healthy weight.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Strive for Metabolic Health
They define metabolic health as waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL. These things may be linked to improved survivorship.
Summary
About 40% of Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime. With an estimated 30-50% of these being preventable, and 40% of all cancers being linked to obesity, it is time to raise awareness and the conversation level on weight management for cancer prevention and cancer survivorship.
Cancer Screenings
Studies show that people with obesity are less likely to be up to date on their age appropriate cancer screenings. Stigma and bias may be related and are important to address. Be sure to be up to date on your screenings based on your individual health and family history. If you are not sure, make an appointment with your primary care provider to review. As discussed, obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancers, and obesity bias and stigma may be a barrier to the healthcare system achieving recommended cancer screenings among individuals with obesity.
Take Back Your Cancer Risk Reduction,
Valerie Hope-Slocum Sutherland, MD
*Artificial intelligence did not write this blog; I did.
References:
Mojtahedi, Z., & Farjadian, S. (2022). Awareness of Obesity-Related Cancers: A Complex Issue. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6617.
K.Alkwatli, H.Xiao, A.Mariam-Smith, et al., “Real-World Weight Loss Is Associated With a Reduction in Cancer Risk,” Obesity (2026): 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.70163.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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