It’s no secret that being overweight or obese can have negative effects on your health. From diabetes to heart disease, carrying excess weight has been linked to a number of different health problems.

But did you know that being overweight or obese can also increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer?.

The Statistics

According to the American Cancer Society, over 1.7 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2019. Of those cases, an estimated 55,000 will be attributed to being overweight or obese.

This means that excess weight contributes to approximately 3.5% of all cancer diagnoses in the US each year.

Breast Cancer

One of the most well-known links between excess weight and cancer is the increased risk of developing breast cancer.

In fact, postmenopausal women who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who maintain a healthy weight.

Why is there such a strong link between excess weight and breast cancer? One explanation is that body fat can produce an excess amount of estrogen, which is known to stimulate the growth of some types of cancer cells, such as those found in the breast. Additionally, fat tissue can increase levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Colon Cancer

Another type of cancer that has been linked to excess weight is colon cancer. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop colon cancer than those who maintain a healthy weight.

There are a few different theories as to why this link exists. One is that excessive body fat can cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to the development of cancerous cells.

Additionally, people who are overweight or obese may have higher levels of insulin, which can contribute to the growth of cancer cells.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with only about 10% of patients surviving more than 5 years after diagnosis. Unfortunately, being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing this deadly disease.

One theory is that excessive body fat can cause chronic inflammation in the pancreas, which can lead to the development of cancer.

Additionally, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, which is also a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Liver Cancer

Being overweight or obese can also increase your risk of developing liver cancer. In fact, people who are obese are up to three times more likely to develop liver cancer than those who maintain a healthy weight.

One theory is that excessive body fat can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can lead to the development of cancerous cells in the liver.

Additionally, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop cirrhosis of the liver, which is also a risk factor for liver cancer.

Kidney Cancer

Lastly, being overweight or obese can also increase your risk of developing kidney cancer. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is the most common type of kidney cancer.

One theory is that excessive body fat can stimulate the production of hormones, such as estrogen, which can contribute to the growth of cancerous cells.

Additionally, people who are overweight or obese may have higher levels of insulin, which can also contribute to the growth of cancer cells.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer.

However, the good news is that with lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, you can lower your risk of developing these types of cancer and improve your overall health.