The Correlation Between Weight and Cancer


The benefits of long-term sustainable weight loss are numerous. From increased confidence and mental clarity to emotional health and wellbeing, the congenital and emotional effects of being healthy are enough to get most everyone started on their own personal weight loss journey. If you are struggling to make lasting change, please contact Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute, Brevard County’s premier bariatric surgical center. Under the helm of Dr. Velarde, our practice has the ability to walk with you every step of the way utilizing the latest technology coupled with customized plans to help you achieve the weight loss you desire. While there are multiple mental and emotional reasons why a healthy lifestyle is important, there are other reasons to lose the extra weight and keep it off. Your risk of additional medical complications arising from the excess weight you carry is just one of them.

Weight loss has many advantages, and there is proof that obesity can cause many medical conditions such as increased insulin resistance, sleep apnea, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and more. These correlations have been known for quite some time but a study from the Centers for Disease Control now shows a link between being overweight or obese and 13 different types of cancer. These include:

  • Breast (post-menopause)
  • Thyroid
  • Colon and Rectum
  • Upper Stomach
  • Pancreas
  • Liver
  • Ovaries
  • Uterus
  • Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Kidneys
  • Meningioma
  • Gallbladder

In a new report recently put out by the CDC, it was found that forty-percent of all reported cancers in the United States consists of one of the above 13 types, all of which are associated with being overweight or obese. The report also showed that while other types of cancers are slowing down, the rate of cancers related to being overweight and/or obese is on a steady increase. This is due, in part, to the continual rise statistics that show that more Americans each year fall into the overweight or obese categories. In fact, in 2013-2014, two-thirds of the population was considered overweight, having a BMI of 25 or more. The numbers are truly shocking. Overweight women are at an especially high risk as fifty-five percent of cancers diagnosed in females are associated with being overweight and obese.

One thing is clear, getting a handle on your weight is one way you can help lessen the odds of developing one of these cancers. If you are struggling and need help, please reach out to Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute. We would love the opportunity to sit down with you and go over your options and, ultimately, help you live the life you deserve.