Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing 8 types of cancer.

"If we don't lose weight, our risk of developing these eight dangerous types of cancer will reach its peak," said Graham Colditz, president of the IARC and associate director of the Institute for Public Health at the University of Washington.

According to a recent assessment by experts, being overweight or obese poses a much higher risk of cancer than previously thought. A research team from the International Agency for Cancer Research analyzed over 1000 studies and found that obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancer, with 8 of the most common cancers among overweight individuals.

In fact, according to research published in the New England Journal last August, approximately 9% of cancer cases are caused by obesity.

"If we don't lose weight, our risk of developing these eight dangerous types of cancer will reach its peak," said Graham Colditz, president of the IARC and associate director of the Institute for Public Health at the University of Washington.

Below are eight newly discovered cancers that are more likely to occur if you are overweight or obese. Remember to take this information into account to adjust your weight accordingly!

Stomach cancer

"Excess fat can lead to chronic inflammation, especially in the intestinal tract," said expert Colditz. According to him, the link between stomach cancer and obesity is not surprising, as the stomach is part of the same system as the esophagus. Chronic inflammation can be caused by being overweight. This can lead to increased irritation from stomach acids, which will inevitably lead to stomach cancer.

Liver cancer

Being overweight can cause changes in the liver similar to the effects of alcohol on your liver. “They will impact and damage the liver in the same way that heavy drinking leads to cirrhosis, and then liver cancer,” Colditz says. For obese individuals, the liver is very susceptible to fatty liver disease, which experts often call non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Gallbladder cancer

Overweight and obese individuals are more susceptible to gallstones. Obese people have high cholesterol levels, which can lead to gallbladder inflammation, gallstones, and an increased risk of gallbladder cancer.

Pancreatic cancer

Obesity disrupts insulin function. "This indirectly affects normal metabolic processes in the pancreas, making the risk of pancreatic cancer quite understandable," Colditz asserted.

Ovarian cancer

Fat cells produce estrogen. Increased estrogen production, especially in the postmenopausal period, is the culprit behind the worsening of breast and uterine cancer in patients. "Ovarian cancer is determined by elevated estrogen levels as well as increased chronic inflammation," Colditz said.

Brain cancer

Many people have lumps that appear on the meninges, the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. According to the American Cancer Society, this is not a sign of brain cancer. Brain cancer only truly develops when hormones produced from fat are involved. And those who are obese and have these lumps have a higher risk of brain cancer.

Thyroid cancer

A 2012 study in the International Journal of Medical Research confirmed that increased hormone production is closely linked to thyroid cancer. Excessive weight gain alone can cause the thyroid gland to visibly enlarge. The larger the thyroid gland, the greater the chance for cells to mutate and become thyroid cancerous in a short period of time.

Blood cancer

New research also shows that chronic inflammation in the bone marrow creates opportunities for malignant tumors to form. “Obesity can stimulate inflammation, leading to a surge in bone marrow cells. The more bone marrow cells that surge, the more favorable the conditions for mutations in the blood, causing leukemia,” Colditz explained.

How can we prevent obesity?

To prevent obesity and weight gain from increasing your risk of cancer and other diseases, there's no other way than to lose weight healthily. Although opinions differ, researchers generally believe that healthy eating habits that provide plenty of fiber and nutrients to the gut microbiome will also help people lose weight.

Adjust your eating habits and develop a habit of regular exercise. Those who are obese or overweight should see a doctor so they can prescribe a personalized exercise plan. You can learn to walk at least 5 times a week, for at least 3km, to improve blood circulation and burn excess fat effectively.

Skipping meals, especially breakfast, should be avoided because it stimulates the body's need to replenish lost energy. It's better to divide your meals into smaller portions throughout the day and reduce the amount of food consumed in each smaller meal.

Some points to note:

Eat plenty of fiber and green vegetables.

Drink enough water every day.

Limit snacking and fast food, and foods high in fat… instead, eat plenty of green vegetables and fresh fruits, drink fruit juice or eat fresh fruit instead of sugary soft drinks.

According to Family & Society