Most people know that being overweight or obese can play a role in many ailments such as high blood pressure and diabetes. But can losing weight reduce your risk of cancer?

The Cancer/Weight Loss Connection

“Cancer happens when normal cells start growing out of control due to a change in the DNA of the cell,” says Roshani Patel, M.D., FACS, breast surgical oncologist and medical director for Breast Surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. 

But how does extra weight potentially cause changes in our cells?

“Obesity causes inflammation in your body—inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and diseases. Over time, inflammation can damage our cells and thus increase cancer risk. It also causes changes in normal hormones, which can promote the growth of abnormal cells” explains Hans J. Schmidt, M.D., FACS, director of the Center for Weight Loss and Metabolic Health at Hackensack University Medical Center.

But weight alone isn’t a one-way ticket to cancer prevention. There are other factors to keep in mind. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, Dr. Patel advises to:

• Avoid smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Know your family history to do preventative care
• Exercise
• Limit added sugar intake

How Losing Weight Can Help 

Generally, if you only have a few pounds to lose, your risk of cancer isn’t as high as those who are obese or morbidly obese. But Dr. Schmidt points out that “many western diseases are related to weight issues.” 

So even losing 10 pounds can improve your overall health. The good news is that when you lose weight, your risk of cancer decreases—it’s never too late to make a positive change. 

Dr. Patel confirms that even if you are diagnosed with cancer, losing weight can improve your chances of survival.

Support for Losing Weight

For those who need to lose only a few pounds, diet and exercise alone may be sufficient. Dr. Patel recommends getting 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise a week.

Often, those who are obese may need medical intervention in addition to positive changes to diet and exercise. “Only about 5 percent of those who are morbidly obese—with a body mass index of 40 or higher—will be successful on their own,” Dr. Schmidt says. “When you become morbidly obese, the extra weight causes hormonal imbalances in your body, and these hormones cause the body to fight against weight loss. That is why the failure rate is so high.”

Weight-loss surgery can help people get back on track. But successful surgery must be combined with lifestyle changes to proper nutrition and exercise.

“Patients still have to commit to eating healthy and exercising to lose weight,” Dr. Schmidt says. “With surgery, it becomes a little easier to achieve those goals since your body works with you and not against you.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Take our weight-loss health risk assessment to find out if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery
• Schedule a cancer screening near you
• Learn more about cancer care and bariatric surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.