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Cancer, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is a disease in which some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, according to the American Cancer Society. There are more than 100 types-some deadlier than others. While there are a number of risk factors that can increase your chance of cancer, there is one that is preventable that can increase your risk of developing one of the 10 most common forms of the disease. Read on-and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Had COVID and Didn't Know It.
Obesity is Influential in the Development of 10 Cancers
According to a study being presented at The European Congress on Obesity (ECO) obesity is influential in the development of cancer. Over 437,000 adults in the UK were part of the large study, which found that however you measure obesity-larger waist and hip measurement or body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage-it is associated with an increased risk of the big C.
The researchers utilized data from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study consisting of 54 percent women with an average age of 56, all of who were cancer free. They looked at six markers of obesity: BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and waist and hip circumferences. They followed up with the group an average of nine years later, finding that there were 47,882 cases of cancer, and 11,265 cancer deaths. They then determined that all of the obesity measures were associated with higher risk of 10 cancers.
"We observed a linear association - the more severe obesity is, the higher the risk of developing and dying from these cancers, except for postmenopausal breast cancer," stated Dr. Carlos Celis-Morales, Study Lead, University of Glasgow, UK. "But there was a lot of variation in the effects of obesity on different cancers. This tells us that obesity must affect cancer risk through a different number of processes, depending on the cancer type."
A 4.2 kg/m2 (men) and 5.1 kg/m2 (women) increase in BMI above 25 kg/m2 (which is defined as being overweight) increased the risk of stomach cancer by 35 percent gallbladder, 33 percent, liver, 27 percent, kidney, 26 percent, pancreas, 12 percent, bladder, 9 percent, colorectal 10 percent, endometrial 73 percent, uterine 68 percent, postmenopausal breast 8 percent, and overall cancer by 3 percent.
RELATED: Signs You're Getting One of the "Most Deadly" Cancers
More Than 42% of Americans are Considered Obese
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 42 percent of American adults are considered obese. In addition to cancer, health complications of obesity can include organ system damage leading to different issues such as diabetes, joint disease, gastroesophageal reflux, among others, Artur Viana, MD, Clinical Director Yale Medicine Metabolic Health&Weight Loss Program, previously explained to Eat This, Not That!
Luckily, the deadly health condition is preventable. "The best way to prevent it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise (the recommendation is at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, 5 times a week) and healthy diet, which is one that contains minimal processed food and focuses on whole foods such as lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits," suggests Dr. Viana. So stay healthy, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.