Obesity, overweight and cancer: 10% more risk every 10 years…
From the various scientific studies we know that there is a link between overweight and the appearance of certain types of cancer. The epidemiologist Melina Arnold who teaches at the CRIC (International Cancer Research Center) in Lyon has signed an article(1) in which she explains her recent discovery.
The study in question
In the online journal of August 16, 2016, a link between the duration of overweight in adulthood and the appearance of specific cancers in humans is highlighted. This notion of “duration” is fundamentalbecause, according to the specialist, it would promote in women, the risk of breast tumor and uterine tissue. To affirm this, scientists have been collecting data since 1990. Those of more than 70 postmenopausal American women aged 50 to 79 served as the basis for this initiative.
As a result, less than half were not overweight and a third were. For the latter, scientists have deduced that the exposure to risk is 20 years for obese subjects and 30 for overweight people. So the younger you are exposed to excess pounds, the more you stay in the adult state. In addition, mechanisms known to increase the risk of cancer onset are present such as insulin resistance, the risk of hypertension, the occurrence of chronic inflammation, changes in hormonal metabolism, DNA damage etc.
A question in abeyance…
The head of the gynecology unit at the Cochin Hospital in Paris, Professor Anne Gompel, explains in substance that as long as these “female guinea pigs” took hormonal treatments progesterone + estrogen, there was no increase in the risk of endometrial cancer. On the other hand, for the breast, the risk of cancer is always higher, even if it is lower than in people who have never taken hormone replacement therapy.
In fact, according to a 2005 American study, not only is there no increased risk of contracting breast cancer to be treated with hormone substitution, but they would also act as a protective factor for the endometrium. Professor Gompel goes on to explain that obesityinduces a progressive risk ofkidney, breast and colon cancers. Thus, all people who suffer from extra pounds will not be penalized more by the risk of cancer onset and whether over time or not.
A downside however
For Melina Arnold, it is important to note that the conclusions of this study do not apply in a personal and direct way. Because, as everyone knows, the causes of cancer remain multifactorial, that is to say under the influence of various data such as genetics or the environment. However, obesity remains a significant risk factor for the appearance of cancer. Nor is it a question of turning a blind eye.
Thus, in adulthood, for each decade spent with some overweight, women add 7% to their risk of breast cancer post-menopause and 17% to their risk of endometrial cancer.
The risk of obesity-related cancer is, meanwhile, increased by 7%per decade spent with these extra pounds. For obese people,this percentage rises to 10% per past decade.
In any case, it must be realized that, in any case, obesity is never a good thing and that itis detrimentalto the state of health.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.