Cancer and Obesity

Carrying excess body fat has been linked to a higher risk of developing at least 13 different types of cancer, including breast, bowel and womb cancers. Excess fat can raise levels of certain hormones and cause long-term inflammation that encourages abnormal cells to grow. Losing weight, even modestly, may help lower this risk.

Obesity is an established risk factor for multiple malignancies, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified at least 13 cancer types with sufficient evidence of an obesity association, including oesophageal adenocarcinoma, colorectal, postmenopausal breast, endometrial, renal and pancreatic cancers. Proposed mechanisms include chronic low-grade inflammation, hyperinsulinaemia, increased bioavailability of sex steroids and adipokine dysregulation. Intentional weight loss is associated with reduced cancer risk, particularly in women.

Because obesity is one of the few modifiable cancer risk factors, weight management is a genuine form of cancer prevention. Our programme supports sustainable weight loss to reduce long-term health risks.