A recent study published in JAMA Network Open examined the link between obesity and the incidence of second primary cancers among adults diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer survivors who are overweight or obese face a significantly higher risk of developing secondary cancers, highlighting the urgent need for effective weight management strategies in survivorship care.
The research analyzed data from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort, which included 26,894 participants diagnosed with nonmetastatic primary cancer, predominantly aged 65 and older.
Over a median follow-up of 7.9 years, 13.9% of participants developed a second cancer, with 33.2% of these being obesity-related.
The study found that each five kg/m² increase in body mass index (BMI) raised the risk of any second cancer by 13% and obesity-related cancers by 28%.
Notably, a five kg/m² increase was linked to a 42% higher risk of second colorectal cancer and a 70% increased risk of second kidney cancer.
These findings underscore the importance of addressing obesity in cancer survivorship, as lifestyle factors likely play a crucial role in the development of subsequent cancers.
Continued research and focused interventions are necessary to mitigate these risks among cancer survivors.
Source: Oman News Agency
