Cancers Waist circumference determines the cancer risk

High waist circumference may increase risk for certain cancers
Cancer is a widespread and worldwide cause of many deaths every year. Physicians have long been looking for ways and means to detect cancer faster and to treat the disease more effectively. Researchers now found that a larger waist circumference may be a warning sign of increased cancer risk.

The researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found in their study that a larger waist circumference can indicate an increased risk of cancer. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "British Journal of Cancer".

Obesity and obesity can lead to health problems. Scientists have now found that increased waist circumference can be a reliable indicator of increased cancer risk. (Image: Kurhan / fotolia.com)

From which waist circumference the cancer risk increases?
Measurement of the waist circumference, as well as BMI, can be used to predict the likelihood of cancer development. An increased risk of certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes occurs from a waist circumference of 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women, explains the author. Heinz Freisling of the Agency for Research on Cancer.

Everyone should know their BMI and waist circumference
People should know their BMI and waist circumference, the expert adds. To measure the waist circumference, you just have to put a tape measure at belly button height around your stomach. Anyone can therefore easily measure his waist circumference and possibly detect increased risk of specific cancers, explains the physician. These include, for example, pancreatic cancer or liver cancer associated with increased body fat or obesity.

Which causes of cancer are the easiest to avoid?
Overweight or obesity are the biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Overweight or obesity is associated with 13 types of cancer, including colon cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer, the researchers explain.

Even 8 cm increased waist circumference lead to 15 percent higher risk of colon cancer
The current study examined how BMI, waist measurement, and the waist-to-hip ratio are useful in predicting the increased risk of obesity. Increasing the waist circumference by about 11 cm also increases the risk of cancer in obesity-related cancers by 13 percent. In colon cancer could be about 8 cm more waist circumference associated with an increased cancer risk of 15 percent, say the doctors.

Researchers analyze the data of about 43,000 subjects
The study examined the combined data of approximately 43,000 participants over an average of 12 years. During this period, more than 1,600 people have been diagnosed with cancer associated with obesity.

Measurement of the waist circumference can detect the visceral fat
The main problem with measuring BMI is that a high percentage of muscle mass as well as excess fat can lead to increased BMI, say the scientists. Measuring the waist circumference, on the other hand, could accurately reflect the visceral fat, which is known to be a risk for cancer.

Further research is needed
Our results show that both BMI and body fat are good indicators of increased cancer risk. Fat, especially around the waist, can have a major impact on certain cancers, says author Freisling. Further research on this topic is now required. (As)