Surgical Treatment for Obesity Found to Reduce Risk of Blood Cancer in Women
(Photo by DB)
In a groundbreaking study published in the prestigious academic journal ‘The Lancet’, researchers have revealed the positive impact of surgical interventions for obese women in reducing their risk of developing blood cancer.
Obesity has long been recognized as a significant risk factor for several types of cancer, with the incidence of these cancers steadily rising, particularly among the younger obese population. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a staggering 40% of all diagnosed cancers in the country are linked to obesity, encompassing a total of 13 different cancer types.
Among these cancers, breast cancer is the most common in postmenopausal women. Additionally, obesity also increases the risk of uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Several studies have suggested that factors such as insulin, sex hormones, and inflammatory molecules may contribute to these gender differences, though the exact biological mechanism remains unclear.
Excessive fat accumulation in the body of an obese individual disrupts cellular response to insulin, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes and an increased susceptibility to cancer. As insulin and estrogen regulate each other’s production, obese women are particularly vulnerable to cancer.
To investigate whether surgical treatment for obesity could mitigate the risk of cancer in women, a team of researchers focused on obese patients in Sweden. They conducted an observational study involving 4,047 participants enrolled in the Swedish Obese Patients (SOS) intervention study between 1987 and 2001. Half of the participants underwent bariatric surgery, while the rest served as a control group without surgical treatment.
After a follow-up period of 33 years, the researchers discovered that female participants who underwent obesity treatment experienced a remarkable 56% reduction in the risk of developing blood cancer. This risk reduction was not observed in male participants.
The majority of blood cancer cases recorded in the study were lymphoma, and even when focusing solely on lymphoma cases, bariatric surgery demonstrated a significant risk reduction effect of 55% in female patients.
Interestingly, although the indication for bariatric surgery was a body mass index (BMI) of 34 or higher for men and 38 or higher for women by 1991 standards, the actual BMI of the study participants was similar for both genders. BMI is a measure of obesity calculated using weight and height.
This study holds considerable significance as it aligns with existing research indicating blood cancer as a cancer type associated with obesity, and it underscores the potential of bariatric surgery in reducing cancer incidence.
Medical Today Reporter:
Han Ji-hyuk
hanjh3438@mdtoday.co.kr
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▲ Research results have been published showing that surgical treatment for obese women reduces the risk of developing blood cancer. (Photo = DB)
[메디컬투데이=한지혁 기자] Surgical treatment for obese women has been shown to reduce the risk of developing blood cancer.
Research results showing that surgical treatment for obesity can help reduce the risk of blood cancer in women have been published in the academic journal ‘The Lancet’.
Obesity is considered a risk factor for many cancers, and the incidence of these cancers is steadily increasing, particularly among the young obese population. According to statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 13 types of cancer are linked to obesity, which equates to 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the US.
Among these, the most common cause is breast cancer which occurs in postmenopausal women. In addition, obesity also affects uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer. There are various research results that suggest that factors such as insulin, sex hormones, and inflammatory molecules may be involved in these gender differences, but the exact biological mechanism is not yet understood.
Excessive amounts of fat accumulated in an obese body interfere with the cellular response to insulin, which can cause type 2 diabetes and increase the risk of cancer. Because insulin and estrogen regulate each other’s production, obese women are more susceptible to developing cancer.
A research team recently conducted an observational study targeting obese patients living in Sweden to determine whether surgical treatment of obesity helps reduce the risk of cancer in women.
Researchers selected 4,047 participants enrolled in the Swedish Obese Patients (SOS) intervention study between September 1, 1987, and January 31, 2001. Half of the participants underwent bariatric surgery, and the rest were classified as a control group that did not receive surgical treatment.
After following the participants for a total of 33 years, researchers found that the risk of developing blood cancer was reduced by 56% in female participants who underwent obesity treatment. This reduction in risk was not seen in male participants.
Most of the blood cancer cases that occurred were lymphoma, and even when limited to lymphoma, the risk reduction effect of bariatric surgery in female patients was as high as 55%.
As of 1991, the indication for bariatric surgery was a body mass index (BMI) of 34 or higher for men and 38 or higher for women, but the actual BMI of study participants was similar for men and women. BMI is a measure of obesity and is calculated using weight and height.
According to the researchers, the significance of this study is that it supports current research findings that blood cancer can be considered a type of cancer associated with obesity and that bariatric surgery can help reduce the incidence of cancer.
Medical Today Reporter Han Ji-hyuk (hanjh3438@mdtoday.co.kr)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
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