A recent study, presented at the 23rd United European Gastroenterology Week in Barcelona, uncovered that with every one centimeter growth in waist circumference a person’s risk of large bowel cancer increases. Furthermore, with every five-unit increase in body mass index (BMI) the risk of large bowel cancer – colorectal cancer – rises 18 percent.
Professor John Mathers, at the Newcastle University, said, “In addition, in men, there is now evidence that increasing waist circumference in middle age is associated with increased bowel cancer risk.” The researchers studied men and found that with an increase of 10 cm in waist circumference in a 10 year span, the men’s risk of colorectal cancer increased by 60 percent. Mathers added, “This increased cancer risk may be due to persistent inflammation in people with obesity.”
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It has been found that patients with Lynch syndrome are at a higher risk of colorectal cancer due to a defect in genes. Professor Mathers revealed that in patients with Lynch syndrome, the risk of colorectal cancer rises with an increase of weight and obesity. The risk of developing colorectal cancer was found to be doubled for those with Lynch syndrome, if the patient was overweight, compared to the general population.
Mathers said, “There is now compelling evidence that improved lifestyle, particularly better dietary choices and being more physically active, can help to prevent obesity and this will lower bowel cancer risk.” Although further study is required, it may be possible that by losing weight a person could reduce their risk of colorectal cancer. Professor Mathers did discover that daily use of aspirin was effective in reducing the risk in obese patients, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory effects. “This is a very intriguing finding, which suggests that dietary and other anti-inflammatory agents might be beneficial in reducing CRC risk in people with obesity,” Mathers added.
He concluded, “Bowel cancer is strongly associated with age, obesity and diet – and is driven by inflammation. We can now give the public clear advice on the benefits of staying physically active, eating a healthy diet and avoiding weight gain to lower CRC risk as we get older.”
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
