Body fat and cancer – the evidence ( by World Cancer Research Fund, WCRF UK)

The evidence that being overweight increases risk of cancer is stronger now than ever before.

In fact, scientists now believe that, after not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight is the most important thing you can do for cancer prevention.

There is convincing evidence that excess body fat increases risk of cancers of the

Bowel
Oesophagus
Pancreas
Kidney
Endometrium (womb)
Breast (in postmenopausal women).

Being overweight also probably increases the risk of gallbladder cancer.

Scientists believe there are several reasons for the link between body fat and cancer.

One example is the relationship between excess fat and the hormonal balance in the body.

Research has shown that fat cells release hormones such as oestrogen, which increases the risk of cancers such as breast cancer.

Information Source:

http://www.wcrf-uk.org/preventing_cancer/recommendations/weight_and_cancer.php