Excess body weight in cancer survivors could be linked to higher risk of second cancer

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-09-18 01:00

International

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

In cancer survivors, having obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing a second cancer, according to international researchers. The team looked at data from almost 27,000 older survivors of non-metastatic cancer in a US Cancer Prevention Study, which invited participants to respond to a survey in 1992, and biennial surveys starting in 1997, following-up through to 2017. In these participants, 42.8% had overweight and 17.2% had obesity at their first primary cancer diagnosis. Having obesity was associated with a 34% increased risk of developing a second cancer, and a 78% increased risk of developing an obesity-related second cancer. While this kind of study can’t show cause and effect, the results suggest a need for doctors to emphasise the importance of healthy weight guidelines for cancer survivors, according to the researchers, and an accompanying editorial calls for better investment into obesity prevention and improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Media release

From: JAMA

Excess Body Weight and the Risk of Second Primary Cancers Among Cancer Survivors

About The Study: In this cohort study of older survivors of nonmetastatic cancer, those who had overweight or obesity at the time of their first cancer diagnosis were at higher risk of developing a second cancer, especially an obesity-related second cancer. Given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among cancer survivors, it is important to promote survivorship care guidelines recommending weight management and increase awareness of second cancers among physicians and cancer survivors.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo lifts.

Editorial / Opinion JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo lifts.

Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: American Cancer Society, USA

Funder: This study was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Program of Cancer Registries and cancer registries supported by the National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program. The American Cancer Society funds the creation, maintenance, and updating of the Cancer Prevention Study-II cohort.

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