Cancer And Obesity Linked

We've all heard heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can be caused by obesity. But did you know that being overweight could cause cancer? The majority of Americans don't. <br/><br/>News

Tuesday, June 27th 2006, 10:11 am

By: News On 6

We've all heard heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can be caused by obesity. But did you know that being overweight could cause cancer? The majority of Americans don't.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says the American Cancer Society recently surveyed thousands of Americans.

92-percent said they had no idea being overweight increases your risk for cancer. Scientists don't yet have a complete picture of how fat affects cancer, but it seems to be connected to the body's use of insulin.

Overweight people are at higher risk for several types of cancer, including prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer.

Tulsa doctor Steve Sanders says overweight people often don't eat a balanced diet. He says without necessary antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, the body is an easy target for cancer.

Sanders says if folks would just eat less, it would elimination thousands of cancer cases every year. "We think dietary changes alone, could decrease the amount of cancer in a society by one-third. That's huge. And exercise added to that also has a protective effect. And patients with cancer get heart disease, so there's added benefits of following a good, balanced diet, and exercise program."

Dr. Sanders says the easiest way for folks to get their weight under control is to keep a journal of what you eat, and find a way to cut out 10 percent of the calories you eat every day.