The Overlooked Factor in Cancer Risk: Pay Attention to Belly Fat

A study conducted by the German Cancer Research Center on over 458,000 people showed that excess weight may play a larger role in cancer cases than previously thought. The research found that particularly abdominal fat and the risk in women are noteworthy. It was discovered that the role of excess weight and obesity in cancer development may have been underestimated. Previously, it was thought that 2 to 8 percent of cancer cases were related to excess weight, but the new study suggests this figure could be as high as 11.5 percent. Led by epidemiologist Hermann Brenner, the research team examined the health data of 458,543 women and men registered in the UK Biobank. The participants were followed for an average of 12 years, during which approximately 50,000 new cancer cases were detected. The study found that excess weight and obesity are linked to an increased risk of colon, breast, and liver cancer, and are also a significant risk factor for 10 other types of cancer. Researchers stated that excess belly fat can release various signal molecules into the bloodstream, affecting cell growth and division, which may contribute to the emergence and growth of tumors.