Cancer is such a difficult disease to understand because there are so many factors that can contribute to it, and there are so many different types of cancer that can affect all parts of the body. However, new obesity research has shown that your weight can be a major contributor to cancer in women, in particular. Keep reading to learn more about this obesity research, as well as steps that you can take to help reduce your risk of developing cancer.
Worse Than Smoking
According to WCVB, Cancer Research U.K. estimates that, by 2035, more than 20,000 British women will be diagnosed with a cancer that is related to obesity. This means that, in the coming years, obesity will likely end up being the top preventable cause of women’s cancers in the United Kingdom. In fact, according to obesity research, it’s believed that, by the time 2043 rolls around, obesity will certainly be the most common cause of women’s cancer.
Let’s Look at Some Data
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), over 41% of women in America who are 20 years old or older are categorized as obese. And, as more and more people quit smoking or never start smoking, the rate of cancer caused by obesity will continue to climb, while the rate of cancer caused by smoking will probably end up dropping.
How does obesity contribute to the development of cancer? Experts claim that a lot of the chemical and physical changes that are the result of being obese can lead to cancer growth, as well as assist certain cancers when they want to spread to other parts of the body. A couple of examples include breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Action Should Be Taken to Educate the Public
In the same way that the public was educated about the adverse effects of smoking, people need to be made aware of the risks that come with being obese. Experts are hoping that measures can be taken to prevent obesity from becoming the largest preventable contributor to cancer growth in women.
You Can Take Steps to Maintain a Healthy Weight!
Now that you are armed with this obesity research into how it can contribute to cancer, you can take steps to lose excess weight and maintain a healthy weight. First, talk to your doctor about diet pills that you can take, or weight loss surgeries that you might qualify for. You might be surprised by all of the things that you can do when diet and exercise haven’t been enough.