Question: Does obesity increase colon cancer risk?
Nobody likes to have the word obese thrown at them. I prefer overweight. But, obesity is a medical term that indicates someone exceeds their recommended weight, one step beyond simply being overweight. And the answer to the question is yes, obesity does increase colon cancer risk.
Answer: In my experience, most people are overweight. I'm overweight. I've been obese. I never would've called myself that, but the body mass index (BMI) scale would've. It doesn't care a lick about my feelings. It's just a chart full of calculations that reflect five weight classes for any height: underweight, normal, overweight, obese, and extremely obese.
Are You Obese?
I have a BMI of about 26, which puts me in the overweight category (25-29). With respect to colon cancer, anyone with a BMI of 30 or greater is considered at increased risk. Unless you're extraordinarily comfortable with your weight, you probably kind of want to see what the BMI scale has to say about you, and kind of don't. If you want to give it a go, you can use this BMI calculator.Who's Affected Most by Obesity and Colon Cancer?
All other things equal, obese men seem to be more at risk for colon cancer than obese women. Also, certain body types seem to influence risk more than others. Studies indicate that extra fat in the waist (an apple shape) increases colon cancer risk more than extra fat in the thighs or hips (a pear shape).Why Does Obesity Increase Colon Cancer Risk?
That's the million dollar question. Scientists believe it may have something to do with insulin levels, but they're not sure. The bottom line is, obesity contributes to colon cancer and many other illnesses as well. Until someone figures out how to stop that from happening, the onus is on us to reduce our risk by reducing our weight. Yes, easier said than done. The article Losing Weight to Prevent Colon Cancer is a good place to start.Related Research:
- 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
More Colon Cancer Q&A
