In US, obesity responsible for 100,000 cancer cases
Obesity is believed to be a trigger point for over 100,000 cases of cancer every year in the US in addition to being a risk factor for many diseases including diabetes and H1N1 swine flu
08 Kasım 2009 Pazar 02:43
According to a report released by the American Institute for Cancer Research, the incidence of various cancers, among them 33,000 cases of breast cancer, could be ascribed to poor diet, lack of physical activity and excess body fat.
The report also noted that overweight has a three-fold impact upon seven types of cancer.
"We now know that carrying excess body fat plays a central role in many of the most common cancers," said Dr. Laurence N. Kolonel, deputy director of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and a member of the reporting panel.
"And it's clearer than ever that obesity's impact is felt before, during and after cancer -- it increases risk, makes treatment more difficult and shortens survival."
Dr. Kolonel also pointed out that emerging evidence has revealed a convincing link between obesity and cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, kidney, breast and colorectum.
Researchers say that excess body fat increases the level of sex steroids and other hormones that are linked to cancer growth. Fat tissue is known to produce estrogen, which has been shown to promote cell proliferation in breast cancer. Excess body fat meanwhile lowers immunity and increases oxidative stress which can lead to DNA damage.
It is estimated that 49 percent of all cases of endometrial cancer, which is the most common type of uterine cancer, and 35 percent of all cases of esophageal cancer in the United States are associated with obesity.
Some 34 percent of American adults aged 20 and over are obese.
According to a report released by the American Institute for Cancer Research, the incidence of various cancers, among them 33,000 cases of breast cancer, could be ascribed to poor diet, lack of physical activity and excess body fat. 
