If ever you need extra motivation to lose weight, consider this: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revealed that there is a significant link between cancer and obesity.
What is obesity?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines obesity as “a condition in which a person has an unhealthy amount and distribution of body fat.” Obesity is surprisingly common; the CDC says that “more than one-third (36.5%) of U.S. adults are obese,” while it has affected “12.7 million children and adolescents” from 2011 to 2014. Today, however, two in three adults are obese.
This is especially frustrating, considering that being overweight or obese is linked to at least 13 types of cancer. To make matters worse, over 630,000 people were diagnosed with cancer-related to obesity and being overweight during the duration of the study.
The link between cancer and obesity
Obesity can cause a myriad of health problems for everyone. It can trigger chronic conditions as well as seriously compromise a person’s quality of life. Today however, the CDC study revealed that while new diagnoses of cancer have fallen significantly since the 1990s, cancers that are related to obesity and overweight have increased between 2005 to 2014. These diagnoses occur in about two in three adults between the ages of 50 and 74 years old.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancers related to obesity and overweight are as follows: meningioma, multiple myeloma, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, and cancers of the thyroid, postmenopausal breast, gallbladder, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, ovaries, uterus, colon and rectum (colorectal). New diagnoses for these cancers have risen over the past few years, except colorectal cancer which prevents new cases through pre-screening.
“A majority of American adults weigh more than recommended – and being overweight or obese puts people at higher risk for a number of cancers – so these findings are a cause for concern,” said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. “By getting to and keeping a healthy weight, we all can play a role in cancer prevention.”
What to do to reduce cancer risk
According to the director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Lisa C. Richardson, M.D., M.P.H., “As an oncologist, when people ask me if there’s a cure for cancer, I say ‘Yes, good health is the best prescription for preventing chronic diseases, including cancer.’”
This means that to reduce the risk of incurring cancer, people should keep an eye on their weight. They should live healthier, by quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and eating healthy. A balanced diet can do wonders to enhance both a person’s health and physique.
On the other hand, to go to their physicians for checkups regularly. Doing so would help them maintain a healthy weight and be one step ahead of dreaded diseases. Lastly, people who have immediate relatives who have had cancer are advised to be screened for the disease, as they may be at a higher risk of contacting it.
As always, prevention is key
Obesity itself is an illness one has to cure. If not, one risks himself of developing more painful and deadly illnesses. If you are suffering from a type of cancer linked to obesity, New Hope Unlimited will help find ways to treat and stop the growth of cancer cells using less conventional, yet effective methods. Call us today or fill out our online form.
