According to researchers, the accumulation of can lead to inflammation, alter hormone levels, disrupt cellular metabolism, and create a pro-carcinogenic environment.
An international team of scientists, led by researchers from Imperial College London, analyzed data on cancer patients over two decades. The results revealed that obesity-related carcinogenesis affects people of all age groups and in all regions of the world.
What Did the Scientists Discover?
The researchers meticulously examined annual reports from the GLOBOCAN database 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 analyzed information on the rising number of cases, as reported by the Independent. They focused specifically on data regarding 13 types of cancer. Subsequently, the scientists examined the trends in incidence among younger (ages 20-49) and older (50 years and older) participants.
As a result, the researchers gained a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between age and cancer, leading to unexpected findings. Contrary to previous beliefs that certain types of cancer only occur in young people, six types—leukemia, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, and kidney cancer—showed increasing incidence among both young and older participants in nearly three-quarters of the countries analyzed.
Thus, the researchers warned that these types of cancer, which are significantly linked to , can develop at any age, rather than being confined to specific age groups.
The analysis also revealed a strong correlation between obesity and cancers of the uterus and kidneys. This indicates that adipose tissue is not only an energy reservoir but also a center for hormone production.
According to the researchers, hormonal secretion disruptions in people with obesity contribute to increased cell proliferation and hinder the removal of dead cells. This raises the risk of tumor development.
Interestingly, the study authors found a decrease in liver, oral cavity, esophageal, and stomach cancer cases among the younger population. This is likely linked to successful global health initiatives aimed at combating smoking, alcohol consumption, and viral hepatitis.
On the other hand, the incidence of bowel cancer has significantly increased among young people. This may be related to enhanced screening and early detection efforts among older participants, while the youth are currently exposed to new carcinogens entering their bodies from the environment or diet.
The team emphasized the need for specialized studies to investigate the causes of cancer subtypes in different age groups.
The findings of the study were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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