Research
Hormonal
Obesity is an independent risk factor for multiple cancers, with endometrial, post-menopausal breast, and colorectal cancers accounting for over 60% of cancers attributed to obesity.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of developing endometrial, breast, and colorectal cancers. Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes, as even modest weight loss can significantly lower risk.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In particular, endometrial, post-menopausal breast and colorectal cancers account for over 60% of cancers attributed to obesity.
Why this rating
Based on large systematic reviews and population-based studies, though observational bias is noted.
Source
Review: Diabetes, Obesity, and Cancer—Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications
Iliana C. Lega et al. · Endocrine Reviews · 2019
DOI 10.1210/endrev/bnz014
narrative_reviewCited 345×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Intentional weight loss, particularly through bariatric surgery or significant lifestyle changes, reduces the risk of obesity-associated cancers, including endometrial and breast cancer.Moderate
- Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of specific cancers, including endometrial, colorectal, breast, pancreatic, liver, and kidney cancers, while being associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer.Moderate
- Metformin use in patients with diabetes is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cancer-specific mortality, although methodological biases in early studies may have inflated these estimates.Moderate
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