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Texas leads the nation in cancers caused by weight

A new American Cancer Society study said at least one of every 17 cancers in the country is caused by being overweight.

Publication: KVUE-TV (ABC, Austin)
01/04/2019

A new American Cancer Society study said Texas leads the country for cancer cases caused by excess weight.

The study reports at least one of every 17 cancers in the country is caused by being overweight.

Researchers said women have a higher prevalence of obesity than men.

Doctor Andrew Brenner at Texas Oncology said being overweight can cause certain cancers because of inflammatory molecules that can foster cancer cell growth.

“So, when you’re overweight, it’s kind of an inflammatory condition, just like arthritis in a joint, for example," Dr. Brenner said. "And those inflammatory molecules, called cytokines, could actually drive changes within the tissue.”

Dr. Brenner said this study is a reminder to physicians, not just oncologists, to make sure they counsel patients on healthy lifestyles.

That includes exercise, eating more fruits and vegetables and lowering your caloric intake.

“One thing we’ve recognized in the clinic and taking care of people overweight is people have been overweight for decades,” Dr. Brenner said. “It’s very hard to lose weight. So, we’re looking at others ways to also help prevent these cancers associated with being overweight.”

Some of those options include using anti-inflammatories like fish oil with breast cancer patients.

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