Being overweight is a risk factor for cancer.
Previously obesity and being overweight are known to increase the risk of cancer. However, until now it was not known why and how this happens. malignant tumor.
The Molecular Mechanism That Triggers Cancer
Cancer is caused by genetic changes that disrupt the normal restriction of cell growth. Being overweight has long been a risk factor for cancer. However, until now scientists did not know the exact reasons for this relationship.
Warning ! Today, overweight and obesity affects about a quarter of the world's population, and against the background of the continuous growth of these indicators, scientists predict an increase in the incidence of cancer.
It turned out that obesity-related & nbsp; lipids make cancer cells more aggressive & nbsp; and prone to the formation of tumors. This is due to the fact that cells adapt in response to the microenvironment of cancer cells, and not to their proliferation.
This means that even in the absence of new gene mutations, obesity increases the risk of tumor formation,
— explained the co-author of the work Niels Hallberg.
Important findings
Scientists have now uncovered the interaction of two complex diseases. This will allow the development of more effective cancer treatments and with special attention to monitor the condition of cancer and obesity patients, as well as healthy overweight people.
Some numbers: & nbsp; According to statistics, With nearly 2 billion overweight adults and children living in the world, scientists predict an increase in cancer incidence. Today obesity provokes about half a million new cases every year.
Obesity is also known to be the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes.