Obesity 'fuels cancer in women'

reposted from:

Obesity 'fuels cancer in women'

Being overweight is a risk factor for cancer

About 6,000 middle-aged or older women in the UK develop cancer each year because they are obese or overweight, a Cancer Research UK-funded study says.

The study, which looked at 45,000 cases of cancer in 1m women over seven years, says this is about 5% of such cases.

It is published online by the British Medical Journal and blames excess fat for 50% of cases of womb cancer and a type of oesophageal cancer.

Last week an international study warned of the link between cancer and weight.

'Bigger impact'

The World Cancer Research Fund warned that carrying excess weight significantly increased the risk of cancer.

CANCERS LINKED TO OBESITY Womb Oesophagus Bowel Kidney Leukaemia Breast Multiple myeloma (bone marrow) Pancreatic Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Ovarian

Figures indicate that about 23% of all women in England are obese and 34% are overweight.

The latest study looked at how often cancers occurred in 1.2m UK women aged 50 to 64 over a seven year period. More than 45,000 cases of cancer and 17,000 cancer deaths occurred during that time.

Lead researcher Dr Gillian Reeves, from Oxford University, said:

"We estimate that being overweight or obese accounts for around 6,000 out of a total 120,000 new cases of cancer each year among middle-aged and older women in the UK.

"Our research also shows that being overweight has a much bigger impact on the risk of some cancers than others.

"Two thirds of the additional 6,000 cancers each year due to overweight or obesity would be cancers of the womb or breast."

Age difference

The research found that the link between weight and risk of cancer depended on a woman's stage of life.

Invest in a healthier lifestyle today and we can reap the benefits of reduced disease risk and longer life tomorrow Dr Ian Campbell Weight Concern

For example, being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer only after the menopause and the risk of bowel cancer only before the menopause.

Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said: "This research adds to the evidence regarding the impact of being overweight or obese on developing cancer and dying from the disease.

"While most people readily associate carrying extra weight with being a general health risk, many do not make a specific link with cancer."

Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said: "Whereas it was once thought there was little one could do to prevent cancer, it's now clear that lifestyle impacts greatly on overall cancer risk.

"The message is clear. Invest in a healthier lifestyle today and we can reap the benefits of reduced disease risk and longer life tomorrow."

Bring home the bacon

reposted from: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/chris_lamb/2007/11/bring_home_the_bacon.html

A report into links between diet and cancer contained some useful advice, but the attack on red and processed meats was a step too far.

November 1, 2007 3:00 PM | Printable version

Yesterday's report into the links between diet and cancer had useful advice for all of us in terms of reducing our cancer risk. But to suggest that we should stop eating some of our favourite foods such as bacon and ham - well, that does seem a little extreme.

Why does it seem a little extreme? Did he read the report on the evidence?

Yesterday you could have woken up and happily enjoyed a bacon sandwich for breakfast. Today apparently we shouldn't. Has anything really changed so drastically?

That is the nature of science!

The report's authors should not be surprised at the strength of today's backlash from media, chefs and consumers, as well as some of Britain's leading cancer specialists. This morning, consumers are more confused than ever about what they should and shouldn't eat. That can't be good.

Science evolves. It does not stand still. Even for consumers!

The report does give some very good advice on obesity. Previously we had to watch our waistlines due to the risk of heart disease and the like. Now we know that those extra pounds can add to our relative risk of developing cancer. But it's a shame that much of this good advice has been lost amid the debate on processed meats.

Rubbish. We can take in more than one issue!!

The red meat industry clearly has a vested interest in questioning the findings. But we have never suggested that people gorge themselves on ham or eat bacon three times a day. All the report is really saying is that we should all try to eat a healthy balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. That's what we, and most sensible nutritionists and scientists, have been saying for years. Bacon and ham and all red meat in moderation are as important to a balanced diet as anything else. You could say that without them the diet is not balanced at all.

The advice on red meat in general was confusing too - people should eat less than 500g (cooked weight) per week. This is approximately what the average person in the UK eats right now. I can't help thinking that unnecessary confusion and concern would have been avoided if the report's authors had pointed this out.

500g may be the average - but what is the range of weight of meat eaten?

It's hard not to see the attack on bacon and ham as a step too far that has only succeeded in undermining some of the credibility of this report and its authors. It is always difficult to get consumers to change their ways - and alarmist diktats will do nothing to help.

He does not discuss the evidence in the report. This is a quite awful analysis of the 500 page report.

10 Recommendations for Cancer Prevention

1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight

Convincing evidence shows that weight gain and obesity increases the risk of a number of cancers, including bowel and breast cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity to help keep your risk lower.

2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day

There is strong evidence that physical activity protects against cancers including bowel and breast cancer. Being physically active is also key to maintaining a healthy weight.

Any type of activity counts – the more you do the better! Try to build some into your everyday life.

3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat)

Energy-dense foods are high in fats and/or sugars and can be low in nutrients. These foods increase the risk of obesity and therefore cancer. Sugary drinks, such as colas and fruit squashes can also contribute to weight gain. Fruit juices, even without added sugar, are likely to have a similar effect, so try not to drink them in large quantities.

Try to eat lower energy-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits and wholegrains instead. Opt for water or unsweetened tea or coffee in place of sugary drinks.

4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and pulses such as beans

Evidence shows that vegetables, fruits and other foods containing dietary fibre (such as wholegrains and pulses) may protect against a range of cancers including mouth, stomach and bowel cancer. They also help to protect against weight gain and obesity.

As well as eating your 5 A DAY, try to include wholegrains (e.g. brown rice, wholemeal bread and pasta) and/or pulses with every meal.

5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats

There is strong evidence that red and processed meats are causes of bowel cancer, and that there is no amount of processed meat that can be confidently shown not to increase risk.

Aim to limit intake of red meat to less than 500g cooked weight (about 700-750g raw weight) a week. Try to avoid processed meats such as bacon, ham, salami, corned beef and some sausages.

6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day

Since the 1997 report, the evidence that alcoholic drinks can increase the risk of a number of cancers, including breast and colon cancer, is much stronger.

Any alcohol consumption can increase your risk of cancer, though there is some evidence to suggest that small amounts of alcohol can help protect against heart disease. Therefore, if you choose to drink, do so in moderation.

7. Limit consumption of salty foods and food processed with salt (sodium)

Evidence shows that salt and salt-preserved foods probably cause stomach cancer.
Try to use herbs and spices to flavour your food and remember that processed foods, including bread and breakfast cereals, can contain large amounts of salt.

8. Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer

Research shows that high-dose nutrient supplements can affect our risk of cancer, so it's best to opt for a balanced diet without supplements.

However, supplements are advisable for some groups of people (see our recommendations booklet to learn more).

Special Population Recommendations

Recommendations 9 and 10 don’t apply to everyone, but if they are relevant to you, it’s best to follow them.

9. It's best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to 6 months and then add other liquids and foods

Strong evidence shows that breastfeeding protects mothers against
breast cancer and babies from excess weight gain.

0. After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention The Report found growing evidence that maintaining a healthy weight through diet and physical activity may help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

And, always remember – do not smoke or chew tobacco Smoking or using tobacco in any form increases the risk of cancer and other serious diseases.

To find out how to incorporate the recommendations into your everyday life visit WCRF UK’s
Guidelines for Cancer Prevention.