Obesity - A Major Cause Of Cancer
Obesity as an epidemic is slowing engulfing the United Kingdom. Researchers have concluded that annually almost nineteen thousand Britons develop cancer by being overweight; the figure is 50% higher than estimated and is constantly increasing by leaps and bounds. Thus individuals are being advised to stay as lean and slim as possible to minimise the risk of cancer.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found that seven main type of cancers and excess fat were directly linked. These cancers were cancer of the breast, endometrium, bowel, pancreas, oesophagus, kidney, and gall bladder.
Professor Wiseman, an adviser at WCRF, felt that thousands of diagnosed cancer cases could have been prevented if people had maintained their weight healthily. He said this was grave issue and demanded immediate concern as the people who are overweight and obese is increasing manifold.
The risk of cancer increases as body fat helps in the production and secretion of hormones and various growth factors present in our body like oestrogen and insulin which increases the threat of cancer. Obese and overweight people also do not lean towards eating healthy and nutritious quantities of fruits which are very helpful in protecting against cancer.
Professor Wiseman added that after quit smoking the next most important aspect for leading a healthy life is to maintain a normal and healthy weight. However the irony is that around 40% of people do not actually have the knowledge that obesity is one of the major causes of cancer. Thus this knowledge needs to be spread to as many people as possible to prevent the spread of cancer.
According to the scientists, around 1/3rd of the most general cancers can be prevented by people if they improve their way of living and lifestyle by simply eating healthy food, doing more exercise and maintain a constant and normal weight. Thus the WRCF concluded that people should maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 – 24.9 to keep away from various diseases such as cancer.