Weight loss could be a warning signal for these types of cancer
Unveiling Weight Loss: More Than a Fast Buck
The global weight loss industry is a colossal beast, projected to surpass $405 billion by 2030. Yet, alarmingly, about 80% of folks shedding significant weight can't keep it off for a year, with studies showing dieters usually regain over half their lost weight within two years. This suggests the quick-fix, easy weight-loss pitches are merely that—false promises.
Real, sustained weight loss comes down to embracing a healthy lifestyle, punctuated with good dietary choices and regular exercise. However, weight loss can trigger grave health concerns ...
Unintended Consequences of Weight Loss
Unintended weight loss, particularly if it's rapid, is a red flag that requires medical attention. A study spearheaded by Dana Farber researchers analyzed data from two significant long-term studies—the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, spanning 40 years. Conducted between 1976 and 2016, these studies collected participants' weight, dietary habits, and exercise information.
Results showed that weight loss exceeding 10% of body weight within the previous two years was linked to an uptick in cancer cases within the subsequent year compared to those who had not lost weight in that period. Breaking it down, the researchers identified distinct cancer types associated with recent weight loss:
- Upper gastrointestinal tract (esophageal, stomach, liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic)
- Hematological (including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia)
- Colorectal
- Lung
In contrast, weight loss wasn't linked to increased risk for other cancer types like melanoma, breast, genitourinary, or brain cancers.
"Healthy weight loss can stem from adopting a healthier diet or stepping up exercise," says Dr. Qiaoli Wang, the study's first author. "However, unhealthy weight loss that occurs unexpectedly can signal an underlying cancer."
Cancer patients, particularly those in advanced stages, tend to lose weight involuntarily. traditionally, weight loss wasn't connected to early-stage disease. However, this study revealed that similar levels of weight loss occurred before the diagnosis of both early and late-stage cancer, hinting that unintentional weight loss might serve as an early warning sign of cancer, aiding in earlier diagnosis when treatment could be optimally effective.
This investigation lends credence to findings from past research linking unexpected weight loss with increased cancer risk. Indeed, the American Cancer Society asserts an unexplained loss of 10 pounds or more might be one of the primary indicators of developing cancer.
Time to Head to the Doctor's Office
If you experience unanticipated weight loss over a short time, promptly consult your healthcare provider. Early detection can significantly boost the odds of addressing whatever's taking place in your body before it causes further harm.
"Weight loss can be a positive outcome from healthier behaviors," says lead investigator Dr. Brian Wolpin. "However, when the weight loss is unplanned and not due to improved habits, seeing your primary care physician is appropriate, so they can determine if further evaluation for other causes of weight loss, including cancer, is necessary."
The Mediterranean diet is an excellent anti-cancer choice and a frontrunner for successful weight management. It emphasizes eating more vegetables (like broccoli, the cancer foe), fruit (cancer-zapping powerhouses), and fish, without ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to various cancers.
Quite a few nutritional supplements have backing from research that demonstrates their cancer-prevention advantages.
- Vitamin D
- Resistant starch
- Aspirin (always consult your doctor to confirm potential advantages outweigh risks, especially if you have preexisting conditions.)
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Sources:
Unintentional Weight Loss Signals Doctor Visit - ScienceDaily
Cancer Diagnoses After Recent Weight Loss - JAMA
[Latest] Global Weight Loss and Weight Management Market Size/Share Worth USD 405.4 Billion by 2030 at a 6.84% CAGR: Growing obesity rate to drive market growth - Facts & Factors (Industry Trends, Revenue, Statistics, Segmentation, Report)
Unexpected Clues Emerge About Why Diets Fail - Scientific American
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables like broccoli and fruit, can aid in weight management and have potential benefits for cancer prevention.
- Studies have linked weight loss exceeding 10% of body weight within two years to an increase in cancer cases, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract, hematological, colorectal, and lung cancer types.
- Unintended weight loss, especially rapid weight loss, should be a cause for concern and requires medical attention.
- The American Cancer Society considers an unexplained loss of 10 pounds or more as one of the primary indicators of developing cancer.
- In a study by Dana Farber researchers, it was found that unintentional weight loss before the diagnosis of both early and late-stage cancer hints that it might serve as an early warning sign, aiding in earlier diagnosis when treatment could be optimally effective. Furthermore, the study suggests that supplements such as Vitamin D, resistant starch, and aspirin (with proper medical consultation) may have advantages in cancer prevention.
