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Epidemiology of Overweight/Obesity and Cancer Risk

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Physical Activity, Dietary Calorie Restriction, and Cancer

Part of the book series: Energy Balance and Cancer ((EBAC,volume 3))

Abstract

Increased body adiposity is an established risk factor for cancer development. In a large standardized meta-analysis of prospective observational studies, the author and collaborators quantified the risk associated with body mass index (BMI) in 20 cancer types and demonstrated that associations are often sex- and site-specific; exist for a wider range of malignancies than previously thought; and are broadly consistent across geographic populations. Given the biological plausibility, the consistency of associations, the sufficiently long latency times between BMI measurement and cancer occurrence and the recent observations of apparent cancer risk protection in grossly obese patients following bariatric surgery, these associations are probably causal. Further analyses are now revealing that other major cancer risk factors may effect associations between BMI and cancer risk in a site-specific manner – for example hormonal replacement therapy usage and risk of breast and endometrial cancers. These observations point to a diversity of potential processes operating for different cancer types, such that it is unlikely that there is a ‘one system fits all’ mechanism. As the obesity epidemic continues, incidences of obesity-related cancers may rise. There is a need to better understand the biological and molecular mechanisms underpinning the link between obesity and different cancers, so that targeted-based strategies are developed to integrate with population-based weight control policies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK

    Andrew G. Renehan

  2. Department of Surgery, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK

    Andrew G. Renehan

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  1. Andrew G. Renehan
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Correspondence to Andrew G. Renehan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Fairview Ave. N. 1100, Seattle, 98109-1024, Washington, USA

    Anne McTiernan

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Renehan, A.G. (2011). Epidemiology of Overweight/Obesity and Cancer Risk. In: McTiernan, A. (eds) Physical Activity, Dietary Calorie Restriction, and Cancer. Energy Balance and Cancer, vol 3. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7551-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7551-5_2

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