Obesity Linked To Cancer
Many of you may have seen in USA Today and other major media articles discussing the association of obesity and cancer. The American Cancer Society and some recent scientific studies have confirmed that a high number of cancers in the United States are caused by obesity. The American Institute for Cancer Research released an analysis of cancer data and offers some striking and discouraging news about the dangers of gaining weight and becoming obese. For example, 33,000 cases per year of breast cancer are due to obesity. Another 20,000 endometrial (uterine) cancers are due to obesity. And many other types of cancer including colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer and esophageal cancer are caused by obesity in many cases.
There are likely several reasons why the cancer risk rises so strikingly with obesity. To begin with, our cellular metabolism changes and is influenced strongly by the different hormones and biochemistry associated with obesity. For example, insulin levels rise dramatically as do leptin levels with certain phases of eating, digestion and weight gain. These hormones exert powerful influences on the growth regulation of individual cells that is intimately linked with the development of cancer. Scientists have not yet unlocked precise ways to intervene and block this cancer growth and development, but research continues. In addition, increasing studies demonstrate a reduction in cancer risk with weight loss, primarily coming from weight loss surgery.
January 8th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
The only way that you are ever going to wake up these people who are obese is to triple their health care premiums regardless if they have private health care or public health care plans. It seems that these people who are obese just don’t get it through their thick skulls the amount of damage that they are doing to themselves by their being obese.
These obese people need to think that being obese leads to diabetes, hardening of the arteries, heart problems, joint problems, etc.. Really I can’t feel sorry for these obese people as they better get it through their thick skulls that once they suffer from these problems there is no cure as it is to late due to their laziness to eat properly and to exercise.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:02 am
Thanks for the comment Barry. I do not share your view that obesity is only caused by laziness and a lack of exercise. I do agree that people should be more motivated to maintain better health. Diet and exercise certainly play a key role in this, but I feel it is unfair to simplify the problem of obesity.