Cancer and weight gain linked, doctor states
It is possible to prevent up to half of all cases of cancer by making lifestyle changes including losing weight.That is the assertion of Dr Mark Matfield, scientific co-ordinator at the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR), who has cited evidence that being overweight poses a significant risk to health.
Dr Matfield said: "Experts consider that between a third and a half of all cancer cases are associated with diet, lifestyle or other 'environmental' factors."
He said that, in his opinion, based on "informed speculation", those who are obese and consume too much alcohol are more at risk of developing the disease.
In 2006, a study by the Journal of the American Association revealed that weight gain of 22lbs increase the risk of a woman developing breast cancer by 18 per cent.
The same study also revealed that woman who had lost 22lbs cut their risk of the disease by 57 per cent.
