Breakthrough discovery: 40% of cancer cases have one thing in common

Nearly half of all cancer cases have one thing in common

A new study has discovered something 40% of cancer cases have in common, the Telegraph reports.

The study, led by Lund University in Malmo, Sweden, involved 4.1 million people. Participants were closely monitored for weight and lifestyle for about 40 years. During this period, 332,500 cancer cases were identified.

Finally, scientists found that 40% of cancer cases are related to obesity.

In total, researchers have identified 32 types of cancer that are linked to obesity.

Scientists found that 40% of cancer cases are related to obesity.

Previously, other research has identified 13 types of cancer linked to being overweight or obese, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer and kidney cancer. New research shows that a 5-point increase in body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of these cancers by 24% for men and 12% for women.

A 5-point increase in BMI was also associated with 19 other cancers, with a 17% increased risk for men and 13% increased risk for women. These cancers include melanoma, stomach cancer, small bowel and pituitary cancers, as well as head and neck, vulvar and penile cancers.

Urgent warning from researchers

From the above numbers, the researchers urgently warn: "The findings of this study have important implications for public health. Obesity-related cancers account for 25% of all cases." cancer cases in this study. This rate increases to 40% when considering cancers that may be related to obesity. Therefore, a significant proportion of cancers could be prevented by prevention weight is at normal level".

Lead researcher, Dr Ming Sun from Lund University, said: "Our findings suggest that the impact of obesity on cancer may be greater than previously known , as it is risk factor for many cancers, especially many of the rarer types, some cancers have rarely or never been studied in relation to obesity.

He said further research is needed to make more new findings and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms.

But Dr Sun said public health measures aimed at reforming lifestyles were "needed to tackle the obesity epidemic and its known adverse impact on health outcomes".

Keeping a healthy weight can help prevent cancer.

Experts say the findings will be presented at the European Conference on Obesity in Venice. They consider this a "breakthrough" study , showing that a "time bomb" is ahead.

Professor Jason Halford, president of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), said: " This is a really powerful, large-scale analysis. As always, more research is needed but this study reveals reveals what many other studies have suspected; that obesity may be a risk factor for more types of cancer than we previously knew."

Professor Halford, head of the School of Psychology at the University of Leeds, UK, said there was a "clear failure" by policymakers in the UK to take strong public measures to prevent obesity. , while also limiting treatment options.

"If this doesn't cause concern among health policymakers, it's difficult to know what will," he said .

In the UK, obesity rates have almost doubled since the 1990s, with 26% of UK adults now identified as obese, while 38% are overweight.

Obesity has surpassed smoking as the leading cause of four high-incidence cancers.

Forecasts from Cancer Research UK say around 8,000 cancer cases in the UK could be prevented by 2040 if 10% of overweight and obese people reduce their BMI by 1 point by 2030.

Victoria Atkins, UK Health Secretary, said the UK Government is taking "robust action" to tackle obesity, with efforts to use apps and technology to improve expected lifestyles. launches this summer.

Ms Atkins said: "I want us all to be able to live longer, healthier lives. That starts with preventing disease through healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly and don't smoke".

"We have introduced legislation to protect future generations from the harmful effects of smoking to reduce diseases such as cancer and we are also taking strong action to tackle obesity ".