Is there a link between weight and cancer? We think yes! Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“The CDC”) published a report that being overweight or obese significantly increased the risk of developing at least 13 (!) types of cancer.
- What is the definition of overweight versus obese? Overweight is considered a BMI of 25-29.9. Obesity is a BMI of 30 and over. Plug your height and weight into this easy-to-use calculator www.smartbmicalculator.com
- Who is most at risk? The effect is more pronounced in older people (at least 50 years old) compared with younger people AND women are much more likely to have overweight- and obesity-related cancers than men. (218 cancers per 100,000 women versus 115 cancers per 100,000 men). This is thought to be that female-specific cancers like postmenopausal breast cancers and endometrial and ovarian cancer only exist in women and constitute 42% of the overweight- and obesity-related cancers.
- What can you do? Be aware that weight-reduction and maintaining a healthy BMI (between 20 and 25) can play a role in your cancer prevention!