Study links obesity to several cancers

This news item was added on 18th February 2008

Being overweight or obese can double the risk of several forms of cancer, researchers have found.

A study in the Lancet medical journal analysed 144 existing studies involving around 282,000 people.

The researchers found that having a high body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of a range of cancers, including cancers of the oesophagus, thyroid, bowel, kidney, womb and gallbladder.

They also found that the level of risk can vary between men and women, as well as between different ethnic groups.

The authors concluded: "Increased BMI is associated with increased risk of common and less common malignancies.

"These epidemiological observations should inform the exploration of biological mechanisms that link obesity with cancer."

Cancer Research UK's health information manager, Ed Yong, commented: "By combining the results of earlier research, this study confirms that a large number of different cancers are more common in people who are overweight or obese."

Mr Yong added that maintaining a healthy body weight is "one of the most important steps we can all take to reduce our risk of cancer".