| Cancer is a devastating diagnosis, one that will | | | | to being obese are some of the most dangerous |
| become a fact of life for well over 100,000 people | | | | kinds out there. |
| this year. What puts this particular number at risk isn't | | | | Think cancer of the breast and endometrium (lining |
| things like smoking or a lack of exercise or bad | | | | of the womb), the esophagus, the gallbladder, the |
| genetics, it's one of the symptoms of obesity. | | | | kidney, the bowel and the pancreas. |
| This startling finding comes from data extrapolated | | | | The good news that comes out of this research is |
| from U.S. cancer incidence by the American Institute | | | | that you can make choices, today and moving |
| of Cancer Research (AICR). It's the first time | | | | forward, that will have an impact on your chances of |
| experts have solid numbers that demonstrate the | | | | getting cancer. |
| magnitude of the problem. | | | | Even losing a few of those extra pounds can help. As |
| While science has yet to explain why added weight | | | | can working to prevent being overweight or obese in |
| has such an impact when it comes to cancer, a | | | | the first place. |
| leading theory suggests all that extra fat produces | | | | In fact, if American's kept control of their weight, the |
| hormones that actually foster cancer cell | | | | AICR puts some numbers together with common |
| development. | | | | cancer types that might be prevented each year. |
| Some studies have shown that more body fat brings | | | | - Esophageal - 35% of cases or 5,800 cases/year |
| increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory | | | | - Pancreatic - 28% of cases or 11,900 cases/year |
| compounds in the bloodstream. | | | | - Gallbladder - 21% of cases or 2,000 cases/year |
| Recent findings also suggest that excess body fat | | | | - Colorectal - 9% of cases or 13,200 cases/year |
| decreases your immune function. | | | | - Breast - 17% of cases or 33,000 cases/year |
| Beyond cancer, obesity has been linked to | | | | - Endometrial - 49% of cases or 20,700 cases/year |
| dangerous, life altering conditions like heart disease, | | | | - Kidney - 24% of cases or 13,900 cases/year |
| diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. | | | | "This is the first time that we've put real, quantifiable |
| Today an estimated 26% of American's are obese, | | | | case numbers on obesity-related cancers," said |
| with a BMI of 30.0 or higher, another third of U.S. | | | | educational director Glen Weldon of the American |
| adults are classified as overweight, with BMI's in the | | | | Institute for Cancer Research. "Obesity not only |
| rang of 25.0 to 29.9. | | | | raises the risk for getting cancer, it also has a |
| We all know these rates are rising all the time. What's | | | | negative effect on survival and can make treatment |
| more, cancer is the second leading cause of death in | | | | more difficult." |
| the United States (behind heart disease) right now, | | | | The take away message from this AICR research is |
| add the link that appears in this research and cancer | | | | to do what you can to take control of your weight. |
| diagnosis may become a fact of life for many, many | | | | Don't let your symptoms of obesity include cancer. |
| more patients. | | | | Leaner people have better odds of staying healthy, |
| There is now convincing evidence that cancers linked | | | | and cancer free, today and for years to come. |