Obesity Nears Smoking As Cancer-Causer

"Eye-Opener" Major Report Analyzed 7,000 Clinical Trials And Took 5 Years To Complete

(CBS)  A major report cites obesity as a cancer risk factor that one co-author says causes nearly as many cancer deaths as smoking. Another co-author calls the obesity-cancer link the report demonstrates "remarkable."

The report, "Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective" is an "eye-opener," Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay said as it was released Wednesday.

It shows that the connections between lifestyle choices and cancer risk are clearer than ever, she said.

The 500-page document, which took five years to compile, analyzed more than 7,000 clinical trials and was put together by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, and includes contributions from scientists at Harvard, the National Cancer Institute, and many other institutions worldwide.

Authors call the report "the most comprehensive ever published on the evidence linking cancer risk to diet, physical activity and weight."

"It's all about prevention," Senay said. " ... It's an eye-opener report" that shows the evidence "is clearer than ever. Even small amounts of excess body fat, especially around the middle, can make cancer more likely."

Report co-author and London-based researcher Dr. W. Philip James told CBS News, "This is the first report that clearly shows that the fatter we are, the greater the risk of cancer. It's remarkable how clear that link is."

James says that, as obesity rates soar, the list of cancers associated with those extra pounds is growing: "Breast cancer, particularly post-menopausal breast cancer, cancer of the large bowel, and cancer of the pancreas, those are the three big ones."

Another co-author, Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard, told CBS News obesity is now "approaching smoking as a cancer risk," and Senay says it could surpass smoking one day.

The report also cites red meat as a big cancer risk raiser. The researchers say 18 ounces - barely more than a pound - is all the red meat a person should eat in a week.

"It is quite clear," James says, "that, if you're in a country where a lot of red meat is eaten, that's where you find people getting more large bowel cancer."

Other things to limit include alcohol, salt and sugary drinks.

Senay points out that, in addition to the list of things not to do, there are things we should do, such as eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and get plenty of exercise - at least a half-hour a day.

Also, the report notes solid evidence that breast feeding does more than nourish a baby.

"It's very striking," James says, "that, if mothers breastfeed, they really do reduce their risk of breast cancer. We've known for years that the baby profits. But now, there's no doubt at all that it's not just the babe, but the mother, as well.

Death rates from cancer have been dropping in recent years, Senay notes, and suggestions in the report could point the way toward even fewer cases of cancer, and fewer deaths.

"These are all recommendations you've heard before," Senay observes. "All this links back again to obesity as such an important risk factor. What's different about the message now is how much it appears to matter not just for your heart, but also for your risk of developing cancer."

Senay added that the report shows people can go a long way toward offsetting genetics as far as their cancer risk is concerned: "Relatively few" cancer cases are in the genes. "One of the most interesting things in this report is an estimate that only 5 to 10 percent of cancers result directly from genes that we inherit from our parents. There is much we can do to reduce our risk. Most cancers occur when genetic material inside our cells is altered or damaged over time. To the extent that diet, nutrition and physical activity can influence those cellular changes, the report says that making those lifestyle choices can make a positive difference."

The report also cites body growth rates as possible cancer risk factors. For instance, it notes evidence that tallness, and high-birth rates in females, could increase cancer risks.

To see summaries of major sections of the report, click here.

[drivelphobe]

The real cause of obesity is stupidity, coupled with individual inability to make good decisions and gluttony.

How many times have I heard a fat person say, "LIfe''s too short to not just eat what you want. I''d rather be fat and happy than thin and deprived."

So be it. The real shame is that this hideous condition burderns the more intelligent, lean, healthy people with untold costs in both taxes and
insurance premiums.

Forget penalizing manufacturers of food products that are unhealthy. These compulsive hogs will devour whatever they want just as smokers do.

Eventually, this new race of obese, smoking human-like entities will die off.

[glaswolf]

Why not just tax fat people? The problem with practitioners and statistic is that causality and coincidence get confused too often. Could it be that fat people just eat more of what has a given probability by weight of inducing cancer? Perhaps the problem isn''t being fat so much as increased exposure to carcenogenic molecular systems.

[honestabe8]

We are eating soooo far away from the way we should, what do people expect? We have largely (and lardly) become a fast food nation. Seriously, does anyone truly believe that McDonalds, Burger Puke, etc. serves healthy food?

[zootallures2]

But in reality, people''s life spans are increasing. But it is strange they are also getting fatter, gayer, and more pedophilic. Not to mention you are going down the drain after blowing up your own towers on 9/11....

[shanev137]

More proof that humans were never designed to be carnivores.

[standlee5]

Scared Skinny

[zootallures2]

Also stranger is the rise in autism... and who was it that "laid her seed to waste"... Africans. And what about those FEMA camps?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X4HAIwJBEU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOBP2hmubpA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Fhg5ZDlJo

Oh, I''m just crazy....LOL!

[hawksprings]

"More proof that humans were never designed to be carnivores."
Posted by shanev137

Designed? Did you say ''Designed''?
Why you ignorant, homophobic, red-neck, religious right-wing global-warming-denier whacko flat-earther!!
How dare you say "Designed" when referring to human beings!!


LOL!

[hawksprings]

Don''t worry my fat friends!!
When Hillary''s Brave New Politburo takes over Healthcare, you will be told what and how much to eat, or you will be denied treatment.
All behavior and calorie intake will be monitored and controlled by The Government.
There will be no more fat people.

[actornaught]

...increased exposure to carcenogenic molecular systems.
Posted by glaswolf at 09:52 AM : Oct 31, 2007

Or whatever genetic predisposition that causes obesity to be more likely could also more easily trigger cancer in the same person. It''s not clear, but i think all this study does is make statistical correlations, and not any hard links between food and cancer.

And for you morons that have and will compare smoking to obesity in any fashion, you''re, well, morons.

[lloydbest1]

Coulpe of questions....
How many of these people participating in the study also smoke? The article never says.
How is obesity defined? Usually the Body Mass Index is used and 30 and higher is generally considered obese. I used to play football and still participate in sports (old fool that I am); and many of these people who might otherwise be considered overweight or even obese actually have less body fat content than many of us who are considered lean.
How is eating red meat connected with obesity? In addition, "red" meat animals such as wild game (deer, elk, etc) are a whole lot different from factory farmed cows and whatnot. The steak or lamb you get in the stores today are so overloaded with antibiotics, steroids and God knows what other garbage that I am surprised the animals stay dead after they''re slaughtered. I limit my meat intake largely because I don''t trust this store bought cr*p.
Diet is also important. It is possible to get fat on a vegan diet. I know a few who are. So, then, it is the excess lardage or the diet that''s the major cancer culprit? And if it is the diet, what does that say to those who diets are called into question, who weigh within normal limits and get little additional exercise?
There are other questions but I''m running out of room..

[aerodog]

Can''t wait to delve into my king size whopper meal after I finish my cigarette

[actornaught]

Posted by LloydBest1 at 11:56 AM : Oct 31, 2007

Some of those questions were answered in the article.

Tho'' it doesn''t say explicitly, i''m assuming conclusions are based on correlation alone. Another assumption is that the smokers in the study were likely tallied seperately, along with diet variations.

[horse3farm]

I don''t believe any of it...next year there will be another study and it will say something different. How many times have they said coffee is bad, no coffee is good, no coffee is bad...and on and on. Red meat? Been eating it for years and years and years, along with my parents, and grandparents. And the FDA approves drugs that eventually cause harm. Don''t forget...now Viagra causes hearing loss. I wouldn''t be surprised if all the medications rushing into the market are really the cause for so much sickness.

[agarwal1]

Smoking is bad ... it is banned almost everywhere, even in your home

Fatty food is bad..... it is banned too

Fat people + Cancer .... NOW LETS BAN ALL THE FAT PEOPLE ..... HUMMM HOW?.... WELL SHIP THEM TO ENEMY COUNTRY... OR KILL THEM ... BUSH WILL LIKE TO KILL THEM WITH HELP OF CHENNY GUN!

[actornaught]

...Viagra causes hearing loss. I wouldn''t be surprised if all the medications rushing into the market are really the cause for so much sickness.
Posted by horse3farm at 12:22 PM : Oct 31, 2007

What''s the rush? limbaugh says "Come again?"...

[kuestes]

Great, now our wonderful politicians will become the police of everything we eat. I am sick of the govt and liberals telling me what to eat, how much to eat, when to smoke (even tho I don''t smoke it''s just a reference to big govt), what I can publically say and most of all that I can''t talk about God in schools. People--it''s time to stand up and take back our country from the dems and republicans and start over with the way our founding fathers meant for it to be!!

[riggie3]

We need to require all long-term welfare recipients to work. That will thin up the nation!

[rf36]

actornaught, it seems you would like to assume statistical correlations were all that was went into the study and that those are somehow invalid. A little rounder that you''d like, are we? Afraid a tax might actually be imposed on high-fat, mega-calorie foods? Worried that a package of Twinkies will reach proces comparable to a pack of cigarettes (as they should)? Smoker have been forced to carry far more than their fair share of healthcare costs in the form of outrageous tobacco taxes. I doubt that most of that money even gets near the healthcare system. Anyway, it''s time for the fatties to start carrying their weight, so to speak. Let''s get those "fat taxes" going!

[actornaught]

actornaught, it seems you would like to assume statistical correlations were all that was went into the study and that those are somehow invalid...
Posted by rf36 at 12:45 PM : Oct 31, 2007

Not at all, i actually THINK the correlations that are made by this study are valid. But that''s only my opinion, as the actual cause-and-effect don''t appear pinned down yet.

As to the rest of your post, i don''t quite get your point. But you should scroll down to where i also said that there is no comparison between smoking and obesity. The former is a pointless addiction that can''t be isolated to just the primaries, the latter is much much more complex.

[gronamox-2009]

Instead of spending millions on these lazy sons of *** who compile these phony reports that show statistical anomalies (not objective or verifiable experimentation) which always occur in subjective surveys and these quacks/alchemists pretend they causes of cancer, why don''t we find some researchers who can actually cure cancer in all its occurrences. I don''t know what causes cancer but one thing I do know-neither do they. All of these findings are useless. They are the justification of weak minds to stay employed by grant money and they help no one and scare everyone and turn people against their neighbors and for that, these liars and charlatans should be tarred and feathered. Harvard indeed. You should see the scum Harvard employs these days. If I took seven years to tell someone they could die of cancer by peeing to the left of the bowl, chances are they would die of cancer. In another 50 years these con-artists will all be dead and no one will care if it was cancer or the result of being sat on by heavyset folks who were mocked because of the vomit they call research.

[agarwal1]

Why do we use word "Obese" for FAT people?

F A T people are F A T!! FAT! FAT!! FAT!!!

They eat TOOOOO much, DO NOTHING.

THEY DONT WANT TO DO EXCERSIZE TO MAKE THEM MEANER BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LAZY. I HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR LAZY FAT PEOPLE. THEY LIKE TO BE BURDON ON OUR SOCIETY AND THEY ARE NOT ASHAMED OF BEIGN VERY VERY FAT AND DEPENDING ON OTHERS..... FAT FAT FAT!!

[maiingan]

They don''t include the probable fact that all the "red meat" was modified by domestication, and the pejorative does NOT include wild game or even American Bison meat from fenced herds.

[missingamerica]

It is obviously time for the various politicians to enact legislation against overeating as they have with smoking.

[scoliosuxs]

The gov''t villified the smoker with all its might so that they could tax the He** out of smokers. Now they are going after the overweight people to tax junk food. Just wait. Soon you will be taxed because you are too short or have green eyes. Anything a politician needs to raise a tax can be manipulated by any stats.

[toldyouso21]

"Death rates from cancer have been dropping in recent years, Senay notes, and suggestions in the report could point the way toward even fewer cases of cancer, and fewer deaths."


Ooops. Did anyone besides me note a contradiction here? According to scientists and polls, obesity is on the increase in the US with over 3 in 4 adults being overweight and 1 in 4 morbidly obese. IN addition, 2 out of 4 children under age 12 have a weight problem and Hbp, heart disease and type II diabetes in children is increasing at an alarming rate.

If obesity is really definitively linked to cancer and more Americans are getting fat--why wouldn''t cancer rates be going up instead of down? THAT is a major discrepancy that does not appear to have been addressed.

[toldyouso21]

so stranger is the rise in autism... and who was it that "laid her seed to waste"... Africans. Posted by zootallures2 at 10:48 AM : Oct 31, 2007


What? Are you saying Africans laid their seed to waste when they produced all other races?

[toldyouso21]

e need to require all long-term welfare recipients to work. That will thin up the nation!

Posted by riggie3 at 12:36 PM : Oct 31, 2007


There are less than 3 million people of any type on welfare in this country--that leaves over 297 million not accounted for--and since almost 50% of Americans are overweight and many of them work--that leaves at least 120 million people not fitting into your grand idea.

[toldyouso21]

he sad fact is, for those who are food addicts, you can''''t just eliminate eating. So kicking a food addiction is the most challenging addiction to quit!

Posted by USAyesterday at 01:28 PM : Oct 31, 2007

for those of us who have had the pleasure of losing weight through diets--we learn real fast that gaining weight is more than simply overeating. Remember how you were told that a person could go without food for about 3 weeks and water for about 1? throw that out. New data shows that when people diet--their body accomodates and learns to live on and NOT lose weight on less and to become more efficient with food. There have been cases of controlled studies where fat people were put on diets with less than 800 calories and still could not lose weight. Diets where people exercised and did not lose weight. Scientists are learning that the eating, weight gain and losing dynamic is far more complex than we thought and consequently the approached we take to this are changing. One thing is clear--sugar is badd for everyone, as are diets high in genetically altered or chemically enhanced foods and many starches are bad also--what is also true--we are getting fatter and fatter--but cancer is going down--how can that be--unless there is a link science did not address? One thing about results--the must fit the questions posed. Don''t ask the right questions or with the right parameters--then you won''t get the right answers.

[toldyouso21]

For those of us who have had the pleasure of losing weight through diets--we learn real fast that gaining weight is more than simply overeating. Remember how you were told that a person could go without food for about 3 weeks and water for about 1? throw that out. New data shows that when people diet--their body accomodates and learns to live on and NOT lose weight on less and to become more efficient with food. There have been cases of controlled studies where fat people were put on diets with less than 800 calories and still could not lose weight. Diets where people exercised and did not lose weight. Scientists are learning that the eating, weight gain and losing dynamic is far more complex than we thought and consequently the approached we take to this are changing. One thing is clear--sugar is badd for everyone, as are diets high in genetically altered or chemically enhanced foods and many starches are bad also--what is also true--we are getting fatter and fatter--but cancer is going down--how can that be--unless there is a link science did not address? One thing about results--the must fit the questions posed. Don''t ask the right questions or with the right parameters--then you won''t get the right answers.

[house015]

I have some canine teeth that might argue for humans being designed to eat meat. Got more flat teeth than pointy ones, so...more fruits/veggies than meat. Common sense, people!

[bogusbones]

I am nearing 60 years. I can wear the same size pants as I wore when I graduated from high school. My wife of 24 years has been cautious about what we eat and we get exercise. My kids have eaten at McD''s maybe once in their life (22 and 20 years.) It takes a little self discipline and developing good habits when you are young. I think we''ve lost a few generations to the fast food phenomena - start teaching your children now to eat correctly and exercise. If not, they are going to become, like many of this generation, burdens on our health systems. I would ask why should I pay for others health problems when I''ve been my own steward of good health?

[flappyfolley]

'' ... i''m sorry, but i''m busy, i don''t have time for this, i''m just in the middle of investing trillions of dollars into baby raping warfare to insure i''ve got the option to teach you kids that you''re too young to make sexual decisions for yourselves ... ''

'' ... shut up with your i''m tired i''m hungry i''m lonely i''m bored i''m scared i''m lusty i''m i''m i''m, life is about sitting down and shutting up and working hard to give back to the community that gives so much to you, it''s not about pampering a bunch of whining selfish brats, now behave yourselves or else! i will have order ... ''


'' ...

you''re a girl

don''t go, you know what will happen to you

you know what can happen to you while we''re out here

y''all brought the army into this

if you didn''t do it, why are you so scared

you''re threatening to read me my rights

you''re threatening to give me a fair trial

... ''


'' ... most folk most time dance three hours each night of hike naked dance dressed get well feed world porn songs and twenty minutes each night of hike naked dance dressed get sick tax world porn songs rallied round the hundreds millions and billions sick beds swimming drifting the tens millions and hundreds millions spore bloom weed dragon trail fickle first aid lunch farm cottage studio trail crossing yseedsberry trail groups ... ''

'' ... 33 sick beds a night at 33 villages for 33 dollars ... ''

[flappyfolley]

'' ... ?diets rich with nuts as a staple reduce cancer risks? ... ''

[grammawhamma]

oakishpines: Why do you keep changing your name?

[nexgen99]

What to do with the obese? They are costing us billions in health care costs. I think the only solution is to convert them into our next food source. All for starting up the Soylent Green factories raise their hands.

[mcvett]

There are many third-world countries, and their people,
who would LOVE to have an obesity "problem".

Ours, is truly a great nation, if having too much to eat
is a "problem

.

[usaprophet]

Dr. Ron Paul., an OB/GYN physician, has been the national leader in preserving our Health Freedom. He feels that Americans are justifiably concerned over the government''s escalating intervention into their freedom to choose what they eat and how they take care of their health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in order to comply with standards dictated by supra-national organizations such as the UN''s World Food Code (CODEX), NAFTA, and CAFTA, has been assuming greater control over nutrients, vitamins and natural health care providers to restrict your right to choose the manner in which you manage your health and nutritional needs. He introduced the Health Freedom Protection Act, HR 2117, to ensure Americans can receive truthful health information about supplements and natural remedies. He supports the Access to Medical Treatment Act, H.R. 2717, which expands the ability of Americans to use alternative medicine and new treatments. He opposes legislation that increases the FDA''s legal powers. FDA has consistently failed to protect the public from dangerous drugs, genetically modified foods, dangerous pesticides and other chemicals in the food supply. Meanwhile they waste public funds attacking safe, healthy foods and dietary supplements. He also opposed the Homeland Security Bill, H.R. 5005, which, in section 304, authorizes the forced vaccination of American citizens against small pox. The government should never have the power to require immunizations or vaccinations.

[apm2626]

I am a 68 year old woman who smoked cigarettes for 50 years and finally gave them up 20 months. I never experienced a weight problem during my entire life until I stopped smoking. I gained 20 lbs. and as hard as I try, have yet been able to lose more than 5 lbs. Now I hear being overweight (particularly with belly fat, which I have) will grossly increase my risk of getting cancer, maybe more than smoking!
Now what do I do - I''m thinking about returning to my smoking habit since I still miss cigarettes.

[goldesprit]

"am a 68 year old woman who smoked cigarettes for 50 years and finally gave them up 20 months. I never experienced a weight problem during my entire life until I stopped smoking. I gained 20 lbs. and as hard as I try, have yet been able to lose more than 5 lbs. Now I hear being overweight (particularly with belly fat, which I have) will grossly increase my risk of getting cancer, maybe more than smoking!
Now what do I do - I''''m thinking about returning to my smoking habit since I still miss cigarettes."
Posted by apm2626

Usually, in an enviroment where it pays to come up with "news" and "studies" you might be advised to think about motives carefully before concluding that the writers, researchers, and, -yes NEWS PROMOTERS have in putting this "statistical data" out.
YOU KNOW you did enough smoking, and I sure can understand the craving.
Usually before holidays in the U.S. there is a curious pattern of making all this stuff appear in flux (by searching for this sort of..."information" and then displaying it). That is a pattern in its own right--just like the proposed pattern in the data in this story.
You will notice that nowhere does it say that the authors will bet their own livelyhood and health if they turn out to be somewhat wrong in their stressing of key points.

[gkc99]

Maybe, but it sure smells a lot better in restaurants.

[downtowner97]

Ask your doctor if getting off your *** is right for you!

[downtowner97]

I love going to the grocery store and looking at what people have in their carts. The fat people have chips, soda and sheet cakes, and the thin ones have fruit and vegetables. The fat ones are the same ones who will tell you "I can''t lose weight no matter what I do".

It''s not heredity, it''s not a disease, it''s not a slow metabolism, it''s laziness coupled with gluttony, bad food choices and a general lack of self-control.

[grammawhamma]

Soon it will be Thanksgiving. I love how all the health nuts will come on TV and tell us how to have an almost calorie free fat free Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of turkey...try this tofu fake turkey....blah blah blah. Whatever...

[grammawhamma]

I do agree however that it is sickening when I go grocery shopping and I see these obese people waddle from their car to the store only to squeeze into a motorized shopping cart and then fill it with junk food and bakery and soda. yeah....ok....

[formrusmcsgt]

Super size your meals and you''ll super size your a$$.

Over-indulgence will give you cancer, diabetes, a heart attack, or at the very least, worn out knees from supporting all that lard you haul aound.

[formrusmcsgt]

Posted by GrammaWhamma at 11:06 PM : Oct 31, 2007

I agree that it''s rather ironic that someone who is already carrying around a year''s worth of stored calories is purchasing more....

[tnt1954]

communism causes cancer too. especially the
stalinist variety. i mean start digging your
own graves early in life. stalinists like
it that way. then there''s fewer people to control
and dictate too. cement truck drivers unions love
putting people into ''early graves''. its a ''red'' trick
like president bush said. boston red sox. that''s
communism to have reds win. cardinals won last
year, they''re red too. thy rednecks be with thee.
be ye redneck. beats bleu cheese. i like roquefort
actually. decode. minutemen to attend tea party.

[flappyfolley]

'' ... there''s nothing wrong with throwing multi trillion dollar baby raping wars as long as your multi trillion dollar baby raping wars rapes less babys than the enemys multi trillion dollar baby raping war ... ''

'' ... the best way to balance and even negate the effects of multi trillion dollar baby raping warfare is to invest in multi trillion dollars of folk holding hands and weaving bouquets and doing nice things for folk and doing all that for nothing or little more than small arrays of quality shortest term time share business plans ... ''

'' ... i''ve got a edible cow for sale real cheap, so cheap you can buy many more than one, and if you''ll buy that, then first came me and then followed all eternity shortly thereafter ... ''

'' ... if you''re going to bother to tell me how infintely long i''ll live someday and how infinitely fast i''ll travel someday and all thanks to the abuse i put up with from you today, then don''t forget to remind me that i had all that yesterday and have it still today ... ''

'' ... thanks for bringing me to your perfect world of pleasant people yet so dangerous you have to punish me till i''m behaved, i promise someday i''ll share with you my perfect world of pleasant people yet so dangerous i have to punish you till you''re behaved ... ''

[flappyfolley]

'' ... it isn''t that here there are not infinite lines of resolution with an infinitely fast refresh rate and in eternity that there is, this is eternity and there are infinite lines of resolution with an infinitely fast refresh rate, some folk some time just choose to see otherwise ... ''

'' ... we can look inside our bellys and find us swimming there and too we can look outside our worlds and find they swim inside our own bellys ... ''

'' ... as small as you may feel, the galaxies are but flakes of dust on flakes of dust hovering around your finger nails, flick me off if you like, you''ve done it infinite times before and you''ll do it infinite times again, as have and will i you ... ''