Obesity Increases the Risk of Cancer: 10 Common Types Identified

Excess weight can increase the risk of a host of health problems, from hypertension to certain types of cancer.

Recent research zeroes in on cancer risk among obese individuals. Findings from a study conducted with over 5 million adults in the United Kingdom (U.K.) found that being overweight increased an individual's risk of developing 10 different types of cancer.

"Although the relationship between cancer and obesity is complex, it is clear carrying excess weight increases your risk of developing cancer," said Tom Stansfeld, at Cancer Research U.K., via the BBC. "Keeping a healthy weight reduces cancer risk and the best way to do this is through eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly."

Results revealed that for every 28 to 35 pounds of extra weight an average adult carried, they also had a greater risk of developing six cancers, with the degree of that risk varying by the type of tumor exhibited: these included uterine, gallbladder, kidney, cervix and thyroid cancers, as well as leukemia. 

Study participants with a high body mass index (BMI) were also more likely than others to develop colon, liver, ovarian and post-menopausal breast cancers.

"Risk of cancer of the uterus increased substantially at higher body mass index, for other cancer we saw a more modest increase in risk or no effect at all," added Dr. Krishnan Bhaskaran, who led the research, via the BBC. "This variation tells us BMI must affect cancer risk through a number of different processes, depending on cancer type."

As obesity is already infamous for increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes, researchers believe that dealing with the obesity epidemic that's hit several countries is the first way to address the complexity of the health issue.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal The Lancet.