According to the National Cancer Institute, obesity is associated with
increased risks of the following cancer types, and possibly others as well:
·
Esophagus
·
Pancreas
·
Colon and rectum
·
Breast (after menopause)
·
Endometrium (lining of the uterus)
·
Kidney
· Thyroid
· Gallbladder
The Institute also predicts: "A projection of the future health and economic burden of obesity in 2030 estimated that continuation of existing trends in obesity will lead to about 500,000 additional cases of cancer in the United States by 2030."
Barry Meisenberg, MD, director of the Anne Arundel Medical Center’s DeCesaris Cancer Institute in Annapolis, Maryland, warns of what’s ahead: “The lag period might be 20 or 30 years, but behind America’s obesity wave we are sure to see a cancer wave.”
The American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that at least a third of most cancers could be thwarted in 3 commonly known ways:
1) Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
2) Regular exercise, getting the heart rate up when feasible.
3) Sustaining a healthy weight. Being overweight equates to being more vulnerable to a variety of cancers.
Tom Slear, “Cancer: More Americans are Surviving, Here’s Why”, AARP
The Magazine, April / May 2012
Photo: ecosesta (flickr)
Jerry De Luca is a Christian freelance writer who loves perusing dozens of interesting and informative publications. When he finds any useful info he summarizes it, taking the main points, and creates a (hopefully) helpful blog post.
