- By Prerna Targhotra
- Sat, 16 Nov 2024 05:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Obesity And Cancer Risk In Females: Obesity is a pressing concern worldwide & a significant risk factor for various types of cancer in women. Over 1 billion women worldwide are overweight or obese. Obesity related cancers account for 14% of all cancer-related deaths in women. Breast cancer incidence increases by 10-20% with every 5 unit BMI increase. Around 40% of uterine cancers, 25% of ovarian cancer & 11% of colorectal cancers are attributed to being obese. Overall, 40-50% of cancers of all sites are associated with obesity including kidney, pancreatic & oesophageal cancer.
Why Does Obesity Increase Cancer Risk?
According to Dr. Vaishali Paliwal, M.S, FMAS, M.Ch Gynaecological Oncology, MRCOG, Associate Consultant – Gynecological Oncology, Max Saket Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi excess body fat leads to increased production of oestrogen, which can stimulate cancer cell growth. It also causes chronic inflammation, which can damage DNA & promote cancer development. Insulin resistance is linked with obesity, which can increase cancer risk. It also alters the gut microbiome, leading to certain changes which promote carcinogenesis.
Reducing Cancer Risk Through Weight Management?
Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce cancer risk as well as improve general well-being. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Just walking for 15 minutes after having a meal will help. A healthy body mass index (BMI) for an adult is between 20 – 25 so aim to keep your BMI within this range. Having a good night's sleep can go a long way in optimising weight. According to research, women who sleep less than 7 hours every night, tend to gain 30% more weight. Managing stress & engaging in stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation would also help.
Women should be aware of the risk of obesity-related cancer. We should encourage balanced diets and regular exercise. As a society, we should promote healthy eating habits in the kids from the beginning including the appropriate timing, amount and quality of food. By acknowledging the growing concern of obesity-related cancers in women and taking collective action, we can reduce the burden of these preventable cancers.