How does weight gain lead to increased risk of cancer?

How does weight gain lead to increased risk of cancer?

Being overweight or obese may affect cancer risk through a number of mechanisms, some of which may be specific to certain cancer types. Excess body fat might affect:

• Functioning of immune system and inflammationCertain hormone levels, such as insulin and estrogen
• Factors that regulate cell division, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)
• Proteins that determines how body uses certain hormones, such as sex hormone-binding globulin

In women, obesity and excess of weight most likely increases the risk of cancer by raising the levels of hormones such as oestrogens and insulin. Oestrogen is produced by women’s ovaries but after menopause, ovaries stop producing it. But, excess fats in women produce oestrogens which is twice as much oestrogen than in a healthy woman.

Obesity also leads to high levels of insulin in the body which is considered one the major causes for cancer. High insulin level increases the risk of various cancers like liver, uterus, kidney and pancreatic cancer.

Obesity also becomes the reason for cancer by various means:
It increase the risk of oesophageal and gastric cardiac cancers by causing ‘gastric acid reflux. It is a condition where the stomach’s acids are briefly pushed back into the throat. This leads to the oesophagus lining damage and the area where it connects to the stomach.

• Increase gallstones, which in turn increases the risk of gallbladder cancer.
• Physical inactivity or unhealthy diets become other major reason for it.

Obesity is linked to cancer in so many ways, hence it is important that we make sure that we do not gain excess weight. According to study, women are at more risk then men, therefore, you need to take extra care. Women face cancer symptoms in their menopause more, therefore it is necessary that they go for routine checkup during menopause and even before that.