Avoiding obesity prevents cancer

Endometrial cancer, cancer of the uterus, is a particularly impressive example. For this highly hormone-dependent type of cancer, the risk increases in parallel with the BMI, up to a seven-fold risk in patients with grade 3 obesity (BMI > 40). However, it is particularly important to note that being overweight increases the risk of developing many of the most common types of cancer, such as bowel, breast and pancreatic cancer. Excess weight also plays a role in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Important preventive examinations such as colonoscopy can be more difficult to perform. Studies also show that severely overweight patients are less likely to take part in preventive programs such as mammography screening. Early detection is key here. In turn, therapy can be complicated if the patient is very overweight. For example, complications occur more frequently during surgical procedures, and the optimal dosage of cancer drugs is more difficult.

This is also higher for at least some types of cancer. This has been proven for bowel and breast cancer, for example. It is therefore important to tackle obesity after successful treatment in order to reduce the risk of a relapse. It makes particular sense for those affected to seek medical help from specialists.

That is a false conclusion. On the one hand because of the risks mentioned above, on the other hand, severe weight loss due to cancer is an unfavorable prognostic sign regardless of the initial weight.

Obesity is often a question of lifestyle: too much red meat, too much processed food, too much alcohol. Added to this is a lack of exercise. A holistic approach is therefore needed: nutrition, muscle building, psychological support. Accordingly, we work closely together at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the USZ. All expertise is combined in one place. That is a great advantage.

This is based on the very good intention of contributing to the success of cancer therapy by changing the diet. It is important to approach nutrition during cancer therapy together with our nutrition specialists. There are no patent solutions that are right for all cancer patients, only principles on which a nutrition plan should be based. However, deficiency symptoms must be avoided at all costs in cancer therapy. We also advise against more radical, scientifically insufficiently proven dietary measures. We are fully committed to science.

Avoiding obesity from the outset is the best prevention. To achieve this, we need to start with children and young people. But it is never too late in life. Cancer is just one of the many health risks associated with being overweight. The quality of life suffers in many different ways.