Obesity-related cancer rate continues to increase

By Ayotunde Adeyeri, MD, and Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS 

Central Jersey Bariatrics

A new report confirms several types of cancers related to obesity have risen every year since 1999, even with improved screening and a sharp decline in the number of smokers. The report, published in the journal, Cancer, was produced by top researchers from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the National Cancer Institute, and the American Cancer Society.

Many Common Cancers Linked to Obesity

As many as one-third of common cancers are linked to excess weight and lack of physical activity, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Specifically, cancers of the kidney, pancreas, lower esophagus and uterus increased annually through 2008, the latest data available. Rates of breast cancer in women at least 50 years old declined 1.3 percent annually from 1999 to 2005 but rose slightly between 2005 and 2008. Other obesity-related cancers include breast and colorectal cancer. A secondary risk factor to obesity-related cancer: excess weight can also decrease the chance of survival once a patient is diagnosed.

What We Have Seen Firsthand

As surgeons, this report only confirmed what we have seen firsthand in our surgical and bariatric practices -- Time and again, patients have undergone pre-surgical testing prior to having a bariatric procedure only to discover an obesity-related cancer.

James Langan, a patient who came to us at Central Jersey Bariatrics last year for weight loss surgery, underwent routine pre-operative testing to ensure he was healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and surgery. But during a colonoscopy, a cancerous tumor located on right side of James’ colon was discovered.

Fortunately, the tumor was diagnosed early and we were able to successfully remove it before the cancer moved into other parts of the body. Once he was cancer free, Mr. Langan underwent a sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”), and went on to lose nearly 100 pounds.

The Bottom Line

Cancer and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea and stroke are significant risk factors for overweight people. If you read some of our Patient Stories, you will read several accounts that losing weight with bariatric surgery obliterated these serious conditions, very soon after surgery, in many cases. Whatever means you use to lose excess weight, this news is a strong motivator, without question. There must truly be a “war” on obesity. Our health depends on it.

About Central Jersey Bariatrics
Dr. Ayotunde Adeyeri and Dr. Seun Sowemimo are board-certified, fellowship-trained, advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgeons on staff at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, as well as other area hospitals. For more information, call (732) 761-1740.