Leptin: The Link Between Obesity and Colon Cancer?

A lot of studies have demonstrated that obesity increases colon cancer risk. A study published in the British Journal of Surgery provides some insight into why being overweight is a risk factor for colon cancer.

Have you ever heard of leptin? It's a hormone that plays a key role in decreasing appetite; this makes sense given the word is derived from leptos, the Greek word for thin. Since leptin concentrations are higher in people who are overweight, researchers decided to expose colon cancer cells to leptin in a laboratory setting to see what would happen.

Turns out, colon cancer cells love the stuff. They thrive on it. The researchers concluded that leptin's apparent ability to encourage colon cancer cells to reproduce may help explain why obesity is a risk factor for colon cancer.

• FAQ: Does Obesity Increase Colon Cancer Risk?
  
• Losing Weight to Prevent Colon Cancer

• Study Finds Thick Middles Increase Colon Cancer Risk
  
• Obese Women are Four Times More Likely to Develop Colon Cancer
  
• Obesity Increases Colorectal Cancer Risk in Women

_{Source: Hoda, M. and Keely, S. "Leptin Acts as a Mitogenic and Antiapoptotic Factor for Colonic Cancer Cells." British Journal of Surgery 94.3 (Mar. 2007): 346-354. Wiley InterScience. Accessed 14 Apr. 2007.}