The build-up of excess body fat can lead to inflammation, alter hormone levels, disrupt cellular metabolism, and create an environment that promotes cancer.
An international team led by researchers from Imperial College London analyzed cancer data spanning two decades. They found that obesity-related cancers are rising across all ages and regions of the world.
What Did the Scientists Discover?
The researchers examined annual GLOBOCAN reports on cancer incidence compiled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer across 42 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, North America, and South America.
The team looked at the rising number of cases, as reported by the Independent, focusing specifically on 13 types of cancer. They then examined trends in incidence among younger people (ages 20–49) and older people (50 years and older).
From that analysis, the researchers gained a clearer picture of how age relates to cancer—and found some unexpected results. Contrary to the belief that certain cancers occur mainly in younger people, six types—leukemia, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, and kidney cancer—showed rising incidence among both younger and older people in nearly three-quarters of the countries studied.
Thus, the researchers warned that these cancers, which are strongly linked to obesity, can develop at any age rather than being confined to specific age groups.
The analysis also revealed a strong correlation between obesity and uterine and kidney cancers. That suggests adipose tissue is not only an energy reservoir but also a hub for hormone production.
Hormonal disruptions in people with obesity can increase cell proliferation and hinder the clearance of dead cells, raising the risk of tumor development.
The authors found decreases in liver, oral cavity, esophageal, and stomach cancer cases among younger people. Those drops are likely tied to successful global health efforts against smoking, excessive alcohol use, and viral hepatitis.
By contrast, colorectal cancer has increased significantly among young people. That rise may reflect improved screening and early detection in older adults, while younger people are increasingly exposed to new carcinogens in their environment and diet.
The team emphasized the need for targeted studies to investigate the causes of specific cancer subtypes in different age groups.
The findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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