A study has shown that 19,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to being overweight. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has said that maintaining a healthy weight is a very effective way to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
The only more effective way to avoid cancer is for a smoker to give up smoking.
Professor Martin Wiseman , WCRF advisor, said that obesity increased the chance of developing cancer of the breast, bowel, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, womb and gall bladder.
The key is to reduce BMI (Body Mass Index) to less than 25, but more than 18.5. BMI is measured by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared.
Low Public Awareness
The WCRF was particularly concerned to raise the profile of the message that ‘obesity increases cancer risk’, saying that only 40% of people were aware of this. During Cancer Prevention Week they would be highlighting this fact.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Recent research showed that obesity appears to increase the risk of prostate cancer, particularly in young men, as well as the risk of aggressive disease in all men. Another factor that adds to the problem is that obesity makes it harder to detect the prostate cancer since it depends on digital rectal exams which are a major screening tool.
Also, in the UK it’s not even standard for men over 50 to be offered prostate tests – rectal exam or PSA. I am over 50 and it has never been offered to me. Ridiculous.