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.

[rf36]

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.



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Posted by toldyouso21 at 02:41 PM : Oct 31, 2007

Cancer deaths, not cancer rates, are dropping. More people are surviving cancer because of better treatments. Drug companies make little money on cures, but none on corpses.

[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

.

[actornaught]

...I can''t talk about God in schools....
Posted by kuestes at 08:31 AM : Nov 01, 2007

Another hate radio lie to work up the weak minded. My kids had regular prayer meetings around the flagpole. The truth is that the teachers can''t get involved or, luckily, lead such activities.

So if kuestes is a teacher, i''d just as soon he/she kept their interpretations to themselves.

[formrusmcsgt]

kuestes-

If you don''t have a church where you can talk about God all you want with people who want to do the same, I''m sure there''s one right around the corner that would be glad to have your participation and tithe.

Public schools are not dogma centers. Churches are.

[formrusmcsgt]

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.

Posted by kuestes at 08:31 AM : Nov 01, 2007

Don''t you have a church for that?

[formrusmcsgt]

People are worried their insurance will go up because of unhealthy people.

Posted by GrammaWhamma at 05:12 AM : Nov 01, 2007

Who do you think is forking over to cover these additional costs, the insurance companies out of their sheer benevolence?

Medical Cost Of Obesity: $93 billion

http://www.forbes.com/2006/07/19/cz_mh_0719obesityslide_2.html

[agarwal1]

Most American people are so STUPID. Study and Analyze their comments, they just do not make any sense!!

STUPID American!!

Here is, Take some from a smart person...... The *** American DO NOT EXCERSISE AND OR DO NOT DO MUCH PHYSICAL WORK TO BURN ALL THAT MEAT, CHEESE AND BUTTER THEY EAT.

Stupid Americans, Dont you see that you and your childrens are just sitting infron of TV for a very very long time..... NO GOING TO PLAY GROUND, RUNNING AROUND... like they used to do in old time.

STUPID AMERICANS!!!

[formrusmcsgt]

People are worried their insurance will go up because of unhealthy people.

Posted by GrammaWhamma at 05:12 AM : Nov 01, 2007

You think that our health care premiums don''t already reflect the additional costs incurred by the ramifications of being obese?

[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!!

[jelindley]

You want to decrease obesity in kids? Shut off the power to their video games, computers, and TV''s. Make playgrounds available for them to get out and play after school. Bring recess back to elementary and junior high schools. Make physical education mandatory in all high schools for everyone who is physically able to take part.

Even countries that haven''t adapted the typical western diets are starting to see more obese children because they no longer have a place to play outside.

Good eating habits are important, but so is physical activity.

[mcvet]

Why does the Media go on about obesity, all the d@#^n time? Give it a break! Smoking, too. Who cares what other people look like, or adhere to? If one wants to slim down, they are free to do so in America. If somebody wants to smoke outside, or in a private setting, basically, they''''re free to do so. Nobody really cares, they just want to ostracize and belittle somebody else, continually. This constant talk makes obese kids suicidal, or depressed, and bullied. Investigate this phenomena, for a change.


Posted by BBrundj at 02:53 AM : Nov 01, 2007
+ report abuse

The FACT that America is getting fat should concern EVERYONE. The FACT that our KIDS are growning up FAT and UNHEALTHY should concern EVERYONE. We need to get our act together here folks or we face even more problems in the future. If you are fat go on a diet, don''t eat junk food and GO TO A GYM for God''s sake. That job and the extra money will do you no good if you are DEAD!! It''s not intelligent to KILL yourself... It''s also inhumane to stand by and watch someone else KILL THEMSELVES!

[keithle1]

Too much food in America. Most of it isn''t good for you. Junk food. Send it to Africa.

What we need in the U.S. is a famine that lasts for about a year. That will bring our weight down. Or start wiring people''s mouths shut.

[grammawhamma]

Why does the Media go on about obesity, all the d@#^n time? Give it a break! Smoking, too. Who cares what other people look like, or adhere to? If one wants to slim down, they are free to do so in America. If somebody wants to smoke outside, or in a private setting, basically, they''''re free to do so. Nobody really cares, they just want to ostracize and belittle somebody else, continually. This constant talk makes obese kids suicidal, or depressed, and bullied. Investigate this phenomena, for a change.


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Posted by BBrundj at 02:53 AM : Nov 01, 2007

The answer is MONEY. Money is the root of all evil. People are worried their insurance will go up because of unhealthy people. Others are worried social security will run out because of people living too long. Let''s kill all criminals and save the tax payers money. Let''s stop putting people in jail for doing drugs...it''s just costing money to house them in jail. I could on and on. Just read the responses to almost any story...90% revolve around the greed for "money".

[downtowner97]

I have my own faults. I shouldn''t be so critical. It''s easy for me to keep my weight down, but not so easy to do other things I should do. There are fat people who function better than me at some things.

I''m unhappy with myself because of the way I think others perceive me. It''s convenient to have flaws we can hide. For the obese, there''s no hiding the extra fat.

We all know we''d be healthier if we did certain things, but we can so easily feel like rats in a cage, and the best way to feel free is to escape using food or the internet or TV. It''s too easy to point and criticize to make ourselves feel better.

Please disregard my earlier statement as my own insecurity showing in an ugly way.

[brianbwb-2009]

People do tend to eat as a response to stress, it comes from an "eat now, for tomorrow there may not be any" insecurity.

Even economically disadvantaged people are overweight, and not because they lie about economic status, but because of the stress, they convert any available money to food, as hunger, and the aversion there to, is one of humanities'' base instincts, even stronger than the drive to procreate.

America''s obesity problem is more a commentary on the economic disparity of Americans than it is aboit issues of discipline, gluttony, or laziness.

[bbrundj]

Why does the Media go on about obesity, all the d@#^n time? Give it a break! Smoking, too. Who cares what other people look like, or adhere to? If one wants to slim down, they are free to do so in America. If somebody wants to smoke outside, or in a private setting, basically, they''re free to do so. Nobody really cares, they just want to ostracize and belittle somebody else, continually. This constant talk makes obese kids suicidal, or depressed, and bullied. Investigate this phenomena, for a change.

[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 ... ''

[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 ... ''

[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.

[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....