Cancer : 4 out of 10 cases are related to obesity in the United States

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Published the 04.10.2017 at 17h26

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At least 13 types of cancers are favored by overweight and obesity. It involves, in particular, cancers of the digestive tract, ovaries, kidneys, or thyroid. In 10 years, these cancers are associated with overweight increased by 7 %, while other issues, such as tobacco or alcohol, have decreased by 13 %, fall Prevention Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC).

In its latest report, entitled ” Vital Signs “, the american agency indicates that 630 000 men and women have been suffering from a cancer associated with excess weight in 2014. This corresponds to 40 % of all cancers diagnosed that year. A proportion that rises steeply from the 1990s.

About two in three cases were of people aged 50 to 74 years. A proportion that coincides with the number of american adults are obese. But these common cancers do not affect men and women in the same way.

Source : The 13 cancers associated with overweight and obesity (CDC)

The impact of the mode of life

According to the analysis of the CDC, more than half of the cancers diagnosed in women are related to obesity and overweight, compared to just a quarter in the man. Except for colorectal cancer, the incidence of cancers related to overweight has especially increased in patients less than 75 years.

“When patients ask me if there is a cure for cancer, I say, “yes, staying healthy is the best prescription for the prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer,” said Lisa Richardson, director of the department of oncology at the CDC. Health professionals should help their patients to get the information they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. “

Less colorectal cancer

In fact, a large number of these diseases could be avoided through improved nutrition and physical activity. However, patients are not always aware of the weight of their mode of life. A survey conducted in France for the French national Society of gastro-enterology (SNFGE) showed in march 2017 that barely 30 % of the French knew that their power could have an impact on the risk of cancers of the digestive tract.

However, not everything is negative. The report of the CDC reveals that between 2005 and 2014, the number of cases of colorectal cancers has fallen by 23 % through screening, which can detect precancerous lesions. In addition, cancers not associated with overweight have declined from 13% in 10 years.