Obesity and Cancer Risk - Understanding the Connection Between Excess Weight and Cancer Development

Learn about the critical relationship between obesity and cancer risk in this informative medical lecture. Explore how excess body weight ranks as the second-leading risk factor for cancer cases in women (10.6%) and third in men (4.8%), contributing to 13 different types of cancers including meningioma, adenocarcinoma, thyroid, breast, endometrial, ovarian, multiple myeloma, liver, gallbladder, upper stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. Examine current statistics showing that 42% of adults and 20% of children in the US are affected by obesity, with prevalence increasing substantially over recent decades. Understand how this growing public health concern impacts cancer development, supported by recent research demonstrating that excess body weight accounts for 7.6% of cancer cases and 7.3% of cancer deaths, making it one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for cancer prevention after smoking.