Adults who gain weight over lifetime have increased cancer risk

Adults who gradually become overweight as they age at risk of 13 types of cancer.

One of the most dangerous forms of fat is visceral fat that sits around the body’s organs.

Adults who gain weight over the course of their lifetimes are up to 50 per cent more likely to develop cancer.

That’s the finding from a study by the Cancer Council of Victoria which tracked 30,000 people over the course of 30 years.

Those who gradually became overweight as they got older had a 30 per cent higher risk of developing 13 types of cancer, while those who became obese were at a 50 per cent higher risk.

The cancers most closely associated with weight gain are oesophageal cancer, and cancers of the breast, liver, gallbladder, kidney, bowel and thyroid, as well as pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, cancer of the gastric cardia, endometrial cancer, and meningioma brain tumour.

Adults with a Body Mass Index of more than 25 are classified as being overweight, while those with a BMI over 30 are obese.

Head of epidemiology at the Cancer Council of Victoria, Roger Milne, said the study’s findings added to a growing body of evidence on the links between body size and cancer.

“After smoking and sun exposure, diet, physical activity and body size are the next most important risk factors for cancer,” Professor Milne said.

“It’s estimated that around 4000 cancers each year in Australia are related to overweight and obesity.

“It’s a strong reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight over your adult life. You need to watch your weight, because it can creep up.”

One of the most dangerous forms of fat is visceral fat that sits around the body’s organs. It’s not just losing weight that can reduce visceral fat, but also physical activity.

The Cancer Council of Victoria is particularly concerned about the impact of sugary drinks on weight gain.