How losing weight can help reduce your risk of 13 types of cancer
MAINTAINING a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of 13 different types of cancer, experts have claimed. More than one in 20 cancer cases are caused by excess weight with the risk of the disease developing the longer you remain overweight, studies have shown. Obesity is one of the leading, preventable causes of cancer […]
MAINTAINING a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of 13 different types of cancer, experts have claimed.
More than one in 20 cancer cases are caused by excess weight with the risk of the disease developing the longer you remain overweight, studies have shown.
Obesity is one of the leading, preventable causes of cancer in the UK, according to experts.
And there are 13 different cancers thought to be linked to carrying excess weight.
They are:
- Breast cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Pancreatic
- Oesophageal
- Gallbladder
- Womb
- Ovarian cancer
- Kidney
- Liver
- Upper stomach
- Myeloma (a type of blood cancer)
- Meningioma (a type of brain tumour)
- Thyroid
Martin Richardson, medical director and weight loss surgeon at Transform Hospital Group said more than a quarter of the UK population is living with obesity.
He added: “The number of people experiencing weight problems is expected to rise very significantly in the next 20 years – so the health crisis is time critical.”
New research from Transform Hospital Group shows 64 per cent of people surveyed said they put weight on during lockdown.
Twelve per cent of participants said they had put on 6kg (just under a stone at 13lbs).
Of those surveyed, 68 per cent said “feeling bored” had been the main cause of their overeating.
In some instances, this may have pushed those who were previously classed as overweight into the obese category (with a BMI of 30 or above), and those in the obese category into a worse position.
During the coronavirus pandemic various studies have pointed to the link between obesity and more severe cases of Covid-19.
People who have a BMI of between 35 and 40 were found to have a 40 per cent increase in risk of death, which increases to 90 per cent for those with a BMI of 40 and above.
THE 5 WAYS YOU CAN LOSE WEIGHT THE HEALTHY WAY
Fad diets can often lead us to binge eat and put more weight on in the long term.
One expert has revealed the five ways you can lose weight by making some simple changes to your every day life.
Nutritionist Paola Langella said the key to losing weight is to change your daily habits and introduce new ones.
Drink more water: Staying hydrated is key to weight loss and Paola said you might actually be thirsty and not hungry. She said you should aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Eat more real carbs: Paola said real carbohydrates are full of fibre and added that you should include grains, fruit, vegetables, seeds, legumes, and nuts into your diet if you are trying to lose weight.
Eat more often: While you may find it hard to believe, Paola says eating more often can help you lose weight. She said eating more often will keep your blood sugar levels stable which will stop you feeling hungry.
Exercise body and mind: Paola said simply going for a walk is staying active and said finding an exercise you and enjoy and sticking to it is key.
Sleep more: A lack of sleep can lead to fatigue and a low-metabolism, Paola said you should aim for 7-8 hour every night.
Studies show that sticking to a healthy weight can reduce your chances of developing cancers such as breast, bowel, pancreatic, esophageal, gallbladder, womb, ovarian, kidney, liver, upper stomach, myeloma, meningioma and thyroid.
Mr Richardson told The Sun that while being overweight doesn’t mean you will develop the disease, it does mean you are at higher risk than if you are a healthy weight.
He said: “Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, obesity leads to hormonal imbalance exacerbated by excess fat sending growth type hormones (signals) to the rest of the cells in our bodies telling them to grow.
“These changes also stimulate an immune reaction that leads to low grade inflammation.
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“Both of these can cause cells to divide more quickly which can, in turn, increase the likelihood of cancer.”
According to Mr Richardson, being “significantly overweight” has well recognised dangers.
Not only, he said, can it increase the chance of cancer but it also substantially increases the risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, heart problems and strokes.
Mr Richardson also added: “Although coronavirus is currently preoccupying the thoughts of society and healthcare professionals, we should not lose sight of obesity being recently highlighted by the World Health Organisation as ‘the greatest health challenge of the 21st century’.”