A Common Cancer Risk Factor Has Been Vastly Underestimated
Summary
New research shows excess body weight may cause about 11.5% of all cancers, which is nearly double previous estimates. The study used better measurements of fat and removed data from early study years to avoid errors caused by weight loss from undiagnosed cancer.Key Facts
- The study tracked over 458,000 people in the UK for almost 12 years.
- More than 50,000 new cancer cases were recorded during the study.
- Previous estimates said excess weight caused 2–8% of cancers; new estimate is 11.5%.
- Traditional body mass index (BMI) measurements have limitations in assessing cancer risk.
- Waist size and waist-to-hip ratio are better measurements to understand cancer risk.
- Weight loss from hidden cancers can make it seem like lean people have cancer, lowering obesity-cancer links in past studies.
- The excess weight-cancer link might be stronger in women and people under 60 years old.
- Rising obesity rates worldwide may increase the number of cancers related to excess weight.
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