Large UK Study Reaffirms Body Fat-Cancer Link

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 20 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Resarch (AICR) welcomed new results from a British study that links excess body fat to several cancers.

"This new analysis falls closely in line with the conclusions of AICR's comprehensive expert report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective," said AICR Nutritionist Sarah Wally, RD. "The expert panel who wrote that report reviewed hundreds of studies and determined that staying lean may be the most important thing we can do to protect against cancer. Today's results bear that conclusion out."

The new study appears in the February 16 issue of the British medical journal The Lancet. Researchers found that obesity doubled the risk for several common cancers, and that excess body fat may play a role in some rare cancers as well.

Last November, the AICR expert panel concluded that carrying excess body fat is now convincingly linked to cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas, kidney, endometrium, breast (post-menopausal) and a specific kind of esophageal cancer as well.

The metabolically active nature of body fat is thought to be a main reason for the cancer link. Fat cells constantly pump a variety of proteins and hormones into the bloodstream. Over time, these substances can raise risk for cancer.

The AICR expert panel issued 10 research-based recommendations for preventing cancer, and they boil down to three simple guidelines:

- Choose mostly plant foods, limit red and avoid processed meat.
- Be physically active every day in any way for 30 minutes or more.
- Aim to be a healthy weight throughout life.

And always remember - do not smoke or chew tobacco.

Wally noted that three guidelines are closely related. "Simply by following the first two - eat plants and move more - you can achieve the third, a healthy weight."

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk, interprets the scientific literature and educates the public about the results. It has contributed more than $86 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across the country. AICR has published two landmark reports that interpret the accumulated research in the field, and is committed to a process of continuous review. AICR also provides a wide range of educational programs to help millions of Americans learn to make dietary changes for lower cancer risk. Its award-winning New American Plate program is presented in brochures, seminars and on its website, http://www.aicr.org. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.

American Institute for Cancer Research