Cancer risks for overweight women

This study provides the first reliable evidence on the relevance of being overweight or obese for a wide range of cancers in women in the UK today.

Its findings suggest that among middle aged and older women in the UK, around 5% of all cancers, that is 6000 cancers each year, are caused by being overweight or obese.

As well as pinpointing womb cancer and one type of oesophageal cancer as examples where being overweight or obese is a major risk factor, the study also finds that excess weight increases the risk of kidney cancer, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovarian cancer and, in some age-groups, breast and bowel cancer.

The Million Women Study, funded by Cancer Research UK, is the biggest study ever undertaken to look at women and cancer risk. Over one million UK women were studied during seven years. More than 45,000 cases of cancer and 17,000 cancer deaths occurred during that time.

Lead researcher Dr Gillian Reeves, Cancer Research UK epidemiologist based at Oxford University, said: “Based on our findings, we estimate that being overweight or obese accounts for around 6,000 out of a total 120,000 new cases of cancer each year among middle-aged and older women in the UK.

“Our research also shows that being overweight has a much bigger impact on the risk of some cancers than others. Two thirds of the additional 6000 cancers each year due to overweight or obesity would be cancers of the womb or breast.”

But the research found that the relationship between (BMI)* and cancer also depended on a woman's stage of life. For example, being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer only after the menopause and the risk of bowel cancer only before the menopause.

Sara Hiom, director of Cancer Research UK's health information, said: “This research adds to the evidence regarding the impact of being overweight or obese on developing cancer and dying from the disease.

“While most people readily associate carrying extra weight with being a general health risk, many do not make a specific link with cancer. These findings need to be taken into consideration alongside the established strong relationships between body fatness and other common illnesses such as diabetes and heart attacks.”

Ten Top Tips to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight

The tips are simple habits that everyone can permanently fit into their daily routines. Keeping up all ten tips in the long term will help you lose weight and keep it off.
1. Keep to your meal routine. Try to eat at roughly the same times each day, whether this is two or five times a day.
2. Go reduced fat. Choose reduced fat versions of foods such as dairy products, spreads and salad dressings where you can. Use them sparingly as some can still be high in fat.
3. Walk off the weight. Walk 10,000 steps (about 60-90 minutes of moderate activity) each day. You can use a pedometer to help count the steps. You can break up your walking over the day.
4. Pack a healthy snack. If you snack, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit or low calorie yogurts instead of chocolate or crisps.
5. Look at the labels. Be careful about food claims. Check the fat and sugar content on food labels when shopping and preparing food.
6. Caution with your portions. Don't heap food on your plate (except vegetables). Think twice before having second helpings.
7. Up on your feet. Break up your sitting time. Stand up for ten minutes out of every hour.
8. Think about your drinks. Choose water or sugar-free squashes. Unsweetened fruit juice contains natural sugar so limit it to 1 glass per day (200ml / 1/3 pint). Alcohol is high in calories; try to limit the amount you drink.
9. Focus on your food. Slow down. Don't eat on the go or while watching TV. Eat at a table if possible.
10. Don't forget your five-a-day. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (400g in total).