Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management

Background: Obesity or excess body fat is a major global health challenge that has not only been associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease but is also a major risk factor for the development of and mortality related to a subgroup of cancer. This review focuses on epidemiology, the...

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Main Authors: Sukanya Pati, Wadeed Irfan, Ahmad Jameel, Shahid Ahmed, Rabia K. Shahid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/2/485
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author Sukanya Pati
Wadeed Irfan
Ahmad Jameel
Shahid Ahmed
Rabia K. Shahid
author_facet Sukanya Pati
Wadeed Irfan
Ahmad Jameel
Shahid Ahmed
Rabia K. Shahid
author_sort Sukanya Pati
collection DOAJ
description Background: Obesity or excess body fat is a major global health challenge that has not only been associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease but is also a major risk factor for the development of and mortality related to a subgroup of cancer. This review focuses on epidemiology, the relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development and recurrence of cancer and the management of obesity. Methods: A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed and the keywords ‘obesity’ and cancer’ were used. The search was limited to research papers published in English prior to September 2022 and focused on studies that investigated epidemiology, the pathogenesis of cancer, cancer incidence and the risk of recurrence, and the management of obesity. Results: About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for several major cancers, including post-menopausal breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder cancer. Excess body fat results in an approximately 17% increased risk of cancer-specific mortality. The relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development of cancer and its recurrence is not fully understood and involves altered fatty acid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, the secretion of adipokines and anabolic and sex hormones, immune dysregulation, and chronic inflammation. Obesity may also increase treatment-related adverse effects and influence treatment decisions regarding specific types of cancer therapy. Structured exercise in combination with dietary support and behavior therapy are effective interventions. Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues and bariatric surgery result in more rapid weight loss and can be considered in selected cancer survivors. Conclusions: Obesity increases cancer risk and mortality. Weight-reducing strategies in obesity-associated cancers are important interventions as a key component of cancer care. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the complex relationship between obesity and cancer with the identification of targets for effective interventions.
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spelling doaj.art-d66d2c633d814867b43b11650da44a4a2023-11-30T21:34:33ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942023-01-0115248510.3390/cancers15020485Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and ManagementSukanya Pati0Wadeed Irfan1Ahmad Jameel2Shahid Ahmed3Rabia K. Shahid4College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, CanadaRoyal College of Surgeon, Dublin 2, IrelandCollege of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, CanadaCollege of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, CanadaCollege of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, CanadaBackground: Obesity or excess body fat is a major global health challenge that has not only been associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease but is also a major risk factor for the development of and mortality related to a subgroup of cancer. This review focuses on epidemiology, the relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development and recurrence of cancer and the management of obesity. Methods: A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed and the keywords ‘obesity’ and cancer’ were used. The search was limited to research papers published in English prior to September 2022 and focused on studies that investigated epidemiology, the pathogenesis of cancer, cancer incidence and the risk of recurrence, and the management of obesity. Results: About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for several major cancers, including post-menopausal breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder cancer. Excess body fat results in an approximately 17% increased risk of cancer-specific mortality. The relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development of cancer and its recurrence is not fully understood and involves altered fatty acid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, the secretion of adipokines and anabolic and sex hormones, immune dysregulation, and chronic inflammation. Obesity may also increase treatment-related adverse effects and influence treatment decisions regarding specific types of cancer therapy. Structured exercise in combination with dietary support and behavior therapy are effective interventions. Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues and bariatric surgery result in more rapid weight loss and can be considered in selected cancer survivors. Conclusions: Obesity increases cancer risk and mortality. Weight-reducing strategies in obesity-associated cancers are important interventions as a key component of cancer care. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the complex relationship between obesity and cancer with the identification of targets for effective interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/2/485obesitycancermalignancyoverweightbody mass indexepidemiology
spellingShingle Sukanya Pati
Wadeed Irfan
Ahmad Jameel
Shahid Ahmed
Rabia K. Shahid
Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
Cancers
obesity
cancer
malignancy
overweight
body mass index
epidemiology
title Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
title_full Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
title_fullStr Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
title_full_unstemmed Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
title_short Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
title_sort obesity and cancer a current overview of epidemiology pathogenesis outcomes and management
topic obesity
cancer
malignancy
overweight
body mass index
epidemiology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/2/485
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AT shahidahmed obesityandcanceracurrentoverviewofepidemiologypathogenesisoutcomesandmanagement
AT rabiakshahid obesityandcanceracurrentoverviewofepidemiologypathogenesisoutcomesandmanagement