Excess weight substantially increases risk of womb cancer

New research suggests that being overweight significantly increases the risk of developing womb cancer, and a 5ft 5in woman is two stone above a healthy weight, her risk is nearly doubled.

 

The Cancer Research UK-funded research involved 120,000 women in the UK, US and five other countries.

 

The charity says keeping to within a healthy weight can reduce the risk of 13 different cancers – hormones and genes may be other risk factors.

 

One theory is that fat cells can send out signals telling other cells to divide more often, which can lead to cancer.  For example, the growth of some breast cancers is linked to the female hormone oestrogen, which fat cells also produce.

 

The latest study, which was led by a team at the University of Bristol, is one of the largest into the link between fat and womb cancer.  It looked into the effect of lifelong weight gain and uncovered two hormones, fasting insulin and testosterone, linked with obesity and womb cancer.

 

Dr Emma Hazelwood, lead investigator, said “This study is an interesting first step into how genetic analyses could be used to uncover exactly how obesity causes cancer and what can be done to tackle it.”

 

Dr Julie Sharp, health information head of Cancer Research UK, said “Studies like this bolster the fact that being overweight or obese is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK and can help us start to pinpoint why.

 

“This will play a pivotal role in uncovering how to prevent and treat cancer in the future.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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