(Eat and exercise your way to a healthy life…….)
Welcome from Andromeda Cancer Hospital
At Andromeda Cancer Hospital, our mission is to bring useful health information straight to our community. Today, we tackle an important, often misunderstood topic: the connection between obesity and cancer. With obesity rates rising and cancer cases growing in Haryana and across India, it’s the right time to learn and take charge of our health.
What Causes Obesity
Obesity develops from a mix of different factors working together. While eating more calories than the body burns is a major cause, there’s much more to it. Here are some of the key contributors:
- Unhealthy diet and overeating: Consistently eating more calories than needed, especially from high-sugar and processed foods.
- Lack of physical activity: Sedentary lifestyles make it easier to gain weight.
- Genetics: Family history can influence how your body stores fat and uses energy.
- Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like hypothyroidism or changes in hormones can affect weight.
- Medical conditions and medications: Some illnesses and medicines can contribute to weight gain.
- Emotional stress: Stress or emotional eating may lead to consuming excess calories.
- Environmental and lifestyle factors: Easy access to unhealthy foods, busy routines, and lack of resources for exercise also play a part.
In summary, obesity is usually the result of a complex interplay between lifestyle habits, biology, medical issues, and our environment.
Quick Facts:
- The burden of obesity is rising all over the world.
- In India, over 135 million people are affected by obesity. The burden has increase by nearly 200% in last two decades and is expected to double in the next 10 to 15 years.
How Are Obesity and Cancer Connected?
Many people don’t realize that carrying extra weight can actually increase one’s risk of developing cancer. Research has shown that obesity is a risk factor for several types of cancers. WHO and IARC have identified 13 different cancers whose risk is increased by obesity. These include.
- Uterine (endometrial) cancer
- Breast cancer (especially after menopause)
- Ovarian Cancer
- Cancer of oesophagus
- Colon and rectum cancer
- Liver cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Thyroid cancer
- Meningioma
See the Connection Between Obesity and Cancer:
Why Does Obesity Increase Cancer Risk?
You don’t need to be a scientist to understand the basic idea: Think of your body like a car engine. If it’s overloaded and running too hot, problems will follow.
- Extra Fat Increases Inflammation: Chronic, low-level inflammation caused by obesity can damage cells and lead to cancer.
- Growth factors: Excess fat in the body leads to insulin resistance and increases the release of insulin and related growth factors in response to food. These growth factors increase the cancer risk.
- Hormone Changes: Excess fat converts some hormone released from the adrenals to active oestrogens and the higher levels of postmenopausal oestrogens are associated with higher risk of cancers such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, etc.
- Impact on Immunity: Obesity can weaken your immune system, making it harder to detect and fight off cancer cells.
What Can You Do? — Actionable Tips
You have more power than you think! Start with small, lasting changes:
- Choose local, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Try to add millet (bajra, jowar) and pulses to your meals. Limit processed foods and sugary drinks.
- Move more every day. Even a 30-minute walk in your neighbourhood or some light yoga can make a big difference.
- Regular health checkups. Early detection saves lives! Don’t hesitate to consult our team for advice.
- Family support. Involve your loved ones in healthy habits — together, it’s easier.
What the other harms in cancer patients who are obese?
The problems don’t stop at increasing the risk of cancer. Cancer treatment is more problematic in obese patients, complications of treatment are higher, and the treatment may be less effective. Obese patients may have higher risk of cancer recurrence.
Is it possible to get out of this vicious cycle?
Yes, if you can control your weight, you can reduce your risk of cancer. Reduction in weight after cancer diagnosis and treatment also reduces the side effects of cancer treatment, improves long term survival and improves quality of life.
Various approaches including exercise, dietary modifications, anti-obesity medications, bariatric surgery can all be used depending upon the individual patient’s needs and choices.
At Andromeda Cancer Hospital, we offer nutrition guidance, tailored cancer screenings, and weight management support. Our doors are always open for you and your family.
Q&A — Busting Common Myths
Let’s clear up some common misunderstandings:
Myth 1: “Only junk food makes you obese.”
Reality: While diet matters, other factors — like low physical activity, genetics, and even stress — play important roles.
Myth 2: “Thin people don’t get cancer, and overweight people always do.”
Reality: Anyone can get cancer but being obese increases risk for certain cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers (but doesn’t eliminate) your risk.
Do you have questions or want to share your story? We’d love to hear from you. Write to us or visit Andromeda Cancer Hospital – let’s fight cancer together.
- For free health talks, screenings, and support, contact us at 9138111625.
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Together, let’s build a healthier India, healthier Haryana and healthier Sonipat. Let us fight cancer at all levels, prevent it, diagnose it early, treat it better and help patients live a happy and healthy cancer free life.
Please visit our YouTube channel for videos on “Obesity and Cancer”.