Updated June 08, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Many people complain about carrying a few extra pounds, but that's not what increases your risk for colon cancer. When scientific research studies illustrate increased risk, they are talking about people who are classified as overweight or obese. If you fall into either of these categories, you want to talk to your health care provider and seek ways to reduce your overall risk.
Technically, you are overweight if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The BMI takes both your height and your weight into account and is a more reliable measurement of your healthy weight as opposed to the bathroom scale. An adult with a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese, or grossly overweight. Although being overweight is better than being obese, neither are desirable when it comes to your health and well being.
This is not a new finding – people who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing many diseases, including cancers of the colon or rectum. If you drop the weight you drop the risk of developing adenomatous polyps – the ones that lead to cancer – according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Multiple studies find that people who are overweight tend to develop more polyps in the colon and these people have a higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer. This is especially alarming for men, as their risk is higher than that of women.
Your risk of having surgical complications also increase with being overweight or obese and can reduce your chances of having a fairly quick recovery following bowel surgery.
Although colorectal cancers are most frequently attributed with obesity, excess weight can lead to at least seven other types of cancer according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI lists cancers of the breast, esophagus, uterus, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid and gallbladder as attributable to an overly elevated weight. Your risk increases if you carry weight around your midsection, which is known as abdominal obesity.
If your doctor has instructed you to lose weight, there are several ways to do so safely. For the majority of healthy adults, losing weight requires a calorie deficit (eating less calories). This can be accomplished in one of two ways:
If you are slightly overweight, some simple lifestyle changes may help you reach your weight goal:
Sources:
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). What are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer? Accessed August 16, 2012.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Overweight and Obesity. Accessed August 20, 2012.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Obesity and Cancer Risk. Accessed August 16, 2012.
Okabayashi, K., Ashrafian, H., Hasegawa, H., et al. (July 2012). Body Mass Index Category as a Risk Factor for Colorectal Adenomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 107. Accessed online August 16, 2012.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Many people complain about carrying a few extra pounds, but that's not what increases your risk for colon cancer. When scientific research studies illustrate increased risk, they are talking about people who are classified as overweight or obese. If you fall into either of these categories, you want to talk to your health care provider and seek ways to reduce your overall risk.
Are You Overweight?
Technically, you are overweight if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The BMI takes both your height and your weight into account and is a more reliable measurement of your healthy weight as opposed to the bathroom scale. An adult with a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese, or grossly overweight. Although being overweight is better than being obese, neither are desirable when it comes to your health and well being.
This is not a new finding – people who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing many diseases, including cancers of the colon or rectum. If you drop the weight you drop the risk of developing adenomatous polyps – the ones that lead to cancer – according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
How Weight Contributes to Risk
Multiple studies find that people who are overweight tend to develop more polyps in the colon and these people have a higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer. This is especially alarming for men, as their risk is higher than that of women.
Your risk of having surgical complications also increase with being overweight or obese and can reduce your chances of having a fairly quick recovery following bowel surgery.
Although colorectal cancers are most frequently attributed with obesity, excess weight can lead to at least seven other types of cancer according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI lists cancers of the breast, esophagus, uterus, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid and gallbladder as attributable to an overly elevated weight. Your risk increases if you carry weight around your midsection, which is known as abdominal obesity.
Healthy Weight Loss
If your doctor has instructed you to lose weight, there are several ways to do so safely. For the majority of healthy adults, losing weight requires a calorie deficit (eating less calories). This can be accomplished in one of two ways:
- Eat less calories daily
- Burn more calories daily through exercise
If you are slightly overweight, some simple lifestyle changes may help you reach your weight goal:
- Get help from your doctor and determine how much weight you should safely lose
- Take a walk instead of watching television or other sedentary activity
- Choose natural foods over processed and convenience foods
- Learn how to measure serving sizes and adhere to portion control
- Get support – either online or in person – to help encourage you
- Decrease or abstain from foods and drinks with empty calories (soda or candy)
- Eat plenty of fibrous foods; they keep you feeling full longer
- Limit or avoid alcohol, which has more calories (per gram) than protein, carbohydrates and even fat
Sources:
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). What are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer? Accessed August 16, 2012.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Overweight and Obesity. Accessed August 20, 2012.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Obesity and Cancer Risk. Accessed August 16, 2012.
Okabayashi, K., Ashrafian, H., Hasegawa, H., et al. (July 2012). Body Mass Index Category as a Risk Factor for Colorectal Adenomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 107. Accessed online August 16, 2012.