Cancer deaths linked to obesity have now tripled in the USA over the past two decades, according to the new research presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco. The study also analyzed more than 33,000 deaths from obesity-associated cancers between 1999 and 2020. The researchers also found that the mortality rate rose from 3.73 to 13.52 per million people. This is a shocking increase that signals an urgent public health crisis.
Who is Affected By This Cancer?
The rise in obesity-related cancer deaths is not uniform across the population. The cancer is especially affecting older adults, Native Americans, Black Americans and people living in rural areas have borne a disproportionate share of this increase. The Midwest in America recorded the highest rates of such deaths while the Northeast had the lowest. In the USA, Oklahoma stood out among states with the highest incidence, contrasting sharply with lower rates in Utah, Alabama with lower rates also in Virginia.
Dr. Faizan Ahmed, who is a lead researcher from Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Centre, said:
“Obesity is a significant risk factor for multiple cancers, contributing to significant mortality. This research underscores the need for targeted public health strategies such as early screening and improved access to care, especially in high-risk rural and underserved areas.”
How Does Obesity Fuel Cancer?
Obesity is now officially recognised as one of the major reasons behind cancer in the USA. The major risk factor associated with obesity is 13 types of cancer, including postmenopausal breast, colon, uterus, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, thyroid and even brain cancers. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 40% of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States are primarily linked with obesity. The main reason behind obesity’s connection with cancer is:
- Chronic Inflammation: This can occur due to excess body fat and can be the main reason that encourages cancerous changes in the human body cells.
- Hormonal Imbalance: If someone has elevated estrogen levels, in obese individuals, which may fuel the growth of breast and uterine tumours.
- Impaired Immune Function And Insulin Resistance: This is the main reason for obesity, which leads to tumor development and growth.
The CDC further warns that obesity predisposes individuals not just to cancer but to a wide range of chronic diseases. These diseases are type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
The Root Cause: America’s Expanding Waistline
Based on the reports, an estimated 40.3% of American Adults are obese. This is a number that has steadily climbed since the late 1990s. Experts say that all of this is happening because of the shifting lifestyle and the dramatic increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Diets that are rich in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed ingredients, combined with declining physical activity.
Breaking the Deadly Cycle: Prevention and Action
Different research and public health professionals collectively agree that prevention, early cancer screening, and better healthcare access are important for reversing this deadly trend.Individuals can help by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.
- Reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Undergoing recommended cancer screenings, especially for those in high-risk groups or with a family history of cancer
Cancer Types Connected To Obesity
The types of cancer that are strongly connected with obesity are :
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver cancer
- Gallbladder, thyroid, and certain brain cancers
The Urgent Requirement Of Action
All the public experts are calling for comprehensive strategies that help tackle this new crisis:
- Public health campaigns are promoting a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.
- For obesity-related cancers mass screening and early detection programs to help in this problem.
- Providing access to effective obesity management and cancer treatment services in different areas.
Also Read : Colon Cancer: A Global Health Crisis
