Index
- Reducing the risk of cancer by treating obesity
- Understanding the mechanism involved in obesity to reduce cancer risk
- Being overweight, a risk for the development of many types of cancer
- The different reasons for obesity and overweight
- Measures to be taken to avoid being overweight
- Drug treatment of obesity
Reducing the risk of cancer by treating obesity
Cancer is a malignant tumour that has formed as a result of the disruption of certain abnormal cells in the body. These cells proliferate to invade nearby tissues and spread throughout the body through blood and lymphatic vessels. In an obese person, the endogenous level of several hormones is relatively high due to overweight. This is why being overweight increases the risk of developing many cancers. It is important to treat obesity to reduce the risk of cancer.
Understanding the mechanism involved in obesity to reduce cancer risk
Obesity is due to the imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Reserve stocks accumulate in the fatty tissue and favour the appearance of different kinds of pathologies. Overweight develops a chronic inflammatory state. The blood levels of the following pro-inflammatory factors tend to rise:
- Leptin
- C-reactive protein
- interleukin 6 (IL-6)
- the Tumor-Necrosis Factor-α (or TNFα)
In the presence of these factors, cells proliferate and the process of initiation of carcinogenesis begins. Endogenous levels of several hormones, growth factors, also increase in the obese person. These are sex hormones, leptin and insulin. Because cancer is fatal, reducing the risk of cancer is a priority.
Being overweight, a risk for the development of many types of cancer
According to one study, every 5kg/m2 increase in BMI corresponds to an increase in cancer risk. Thus, the BMI added by 5 points increases the risk of types of cancer such as gallbladder cancer, leukaemia, uterus, liver, thyroid, cervix. If many points are added to it, the ovary, colon and liver are the targets. As a person gains weight, the risk of developing cancer increases. The functioning of certain hormones and growth factors such as oestrogen and insulin are disturbed with overweight. This promotes the chronic form of inflammation that leads to the development of cancer. Fat cells promote the development of cancer cells. Therefore, treating the problem of overweight reduces the risk of cancer.
The different reasons for obesity and overweight
A person becomes obese for many reasons and must take care to reduce the risk of cancer.
Obesity can be due to a health condition, a lifestyle or a bad habit. Too much energy intake is detrimental to health and promotes overweight. Impulsivity or compulsive eating can also cause it. Stopping physical activity and drinking alcohol are habits that should be changed to reduce the risk of cancer. There are also certain medications to take, a family history of being overweight, pregnancy, menopause, and stress. Otherwise, the amount of time you take to sleep should be sufficient for good health.
Measures to be taken to avoid being overweight
Maintaining an optimal weight is recommended to avoid weight gain. The BMI should be between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2. Fatty foods such as fast food should be banned from the diet. The main allies of being overweight are home activities and high-energy foods. As far as possible, daily physical or sports activities for at least half an hour are recommended. Vegetables and fruit should be eaten in abundance. They are low energy density foods. Regular weight monitoring should be carried out every month. Games, television and computers should be limited as much as possible. Exercising and moving around helps to maintain weight, stay healthy and reduce the risk of cancer.
Drug treatment of obesity
Treating overweight with medication requires a doctor's supervision. The doctor must take into account the patient's psychological state, general condition and context. This treatment is prescribed when the weight does not go down after 3 months of following the usual rules. All methods are good for reducing the risk of cancer. Orlistat is the medication indicated to treat overweight effectively. In particular, it helps to partially block the absorption of fat from the intestine. Thus, 30% of the fat is eliminated in the stool. Orlistat is not recommended for people with a MCI greater than 30. Its undesirable effects are oily stools and flatulence. Two other drugs are used to fight overweight and reduce the risk of cancer. Both can be prescribed, but under certain conditions. They are:
- Mucilages: they are forbidden to patients with a stenosing disease of the digestive tract.
- Sibutramine: it is contraindicated in cases of severe psychiatric disorders, renal or hepatic insufficiency or cardiovascular pathologies.
