Unnoticed extra weight invites cancer

Obesity not only collapses the immune system, but also negatively affects human health at the highest levels by inviting many diseases. In research, obesity was reported as the primary factor causing more than 30 types of cancer. Experts emphasize the importance of ways to prevent the disease before early diagnosis.

Excess weight and obesity increase the risk of cancer. In a study conducted by examining the data of more than 4 million people over a period of about 40 years in Sweden, the connection of 40% of the cases with overweight was identified. More than 30 types of cancer were associated with obesity in the research.

“Obesity actually affects many of our systems”
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Artaç, a faculty member of the Department of Medical Oncology at Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, underlines that obesity can not only lead to many diseases but also pose a cancer risk. He stated that recent publications have revealed that there is an increasing number of cancers associated with obesity and that obesity may be related to more cancers than previously thought. Especially in a study conducted in Sweden, it was revealed that not only 13 cancers but also more than 30 cancers could be linked to obesity. Cancers that we know are highly related to obesity, such as colon cancer, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer, are associated with obesity. However, obesity actually affects many of our systems. With obesity, there is insulin resistance. Growth factors are increased. Also, in obese individuals, incorrect and excessive nutrition due to obesity can alter the diversity of microbiota in the intestinal flora, weakening the immune system, and this weakening of the immune system can facilitate cancer development.”.

“Many factors trigger cancerogenesis”
Prof. Dr. Artaç stated, “Fighting against obesity is a separate struggle. Obesity not only triggers metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, sugar, and diabetes, but also is an important etiological factor for cancer. Of course, when it comes to cancer, it is not possible to pinpoint a single cause. Many factors trigger cancerogenesis. But of course, smoking and obesity seem to be two important parameters here. Therefore, what we eat, our structure, our activity, and our mobility seem to be important influencing factors in cancer development.”.

“80 to 90% of cancer cases occur due to preventable reasons”
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Artaç emphasized the vital importance of measures as well as early diagnosis, stating, “Early diagnosis saves lives, but what can we do to avoid getting sick beyond early diagnosis? This is also very important. Therefore, primary prevention is important. Healthy eating, physical activity, exercising, and staying away from smoking and alcohol are the most important ways we can protect ourselves against cancer. When we look at the reasons for cancer, we see that only 10% of these reasons are related to genetic reasons. In fact, 80 to 90% of cancer cases occur due to preventable reasons. Therefore, it is important to educate the public on these preventable reasons.”