Does obesity replace smoking as a major cause of cancer?

Obesity in 25 years the main cause of female cancer

Overweight will replace smoking as the biggest preventable cause of cancer in women in 25 years. This is the result of a report by an English cancer research institute. As early as 2035, according to projections, obesity and smoking are almost the same.

A recent report by cancer research institute Cancer Research UK indicates that adiposity will be the number one major cause of female cancer in the future if the current trend continues. "We need to take action now to stem the tide of weight-related cancers and ensure that this calculation never becomes a reality," says Professor Linda Bauld in a press release on the report.

If the current trend continues, obesity will soon be the leading cause of cancer in women, replacing smoking as the main driver. (Image: happy_lark / fotolia.com)

In over 25 years, obesity overtakes smoking

Obesity will overtake smoking as the largest preventable cause of cancer among British women in 25 years, according to a report by Cancer Research UK. According to the calculations, by 2035 around 10 percent of all cancers in British women are attributable to smoking and 9 percent to obesity. If this trend continues, overweight women in the year 2043 would be the number one preventable cause of cancer.

What about the men??

According to Cancer Research UK, this risk can not be shared one-to-one with men. This is partly due to the fact that more men than women smoke and thus more cancers in men are associated with tobacco use. Moreover, being overweight has a greater impact on women in terms of cancer, as certain cancers, such as breast and uterine cancer, are directly related to obesity.

Enlightenment required

As Cancer Research UK explains, overweight and obesity are known to be co-causal agents of 13 different cancers, such as breast, kidney and colorectal cancer. Only about one in seven people in England knew about these relationships. In a nationwide campaign Cancer Research UK now wants to educate the population that obesity can be a cause of cancer.

A danger to public health

"Obesity is currently a major threat to public health, and it will only get worse if nothing is done," warns Professor Linda Bauld, prevention expert at Cancer Research UK. Tobacco prevention experience should be used to reduce the number of weight-related cancers.

Ban on fast food advertising?

Linda Bauld calls for drastic measures to counteract this development. In particular, the protection of children must be promoted. As an appropriate measure, Cancer Research UK proposes a ban on fast food advertising before 21:00 and restrictions on the provision of unhealthy food.

When smoking, prevention shows success

The health expert sees reason for celebration in the current decline in smoking. "It shows how decade-long efforts to raise awareness of health risks and strong policies, including taxation, tobacco marketing and public indoor smoking, have paid off," says Bauld.

The calculations do not have to be real

Just as against smoking must now be tackled against obesity, so Bauld. "We need to act now to stop the flood of cancer and make sure our calculations never come true," the expert sums up. (Vb)