Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that only continues to grow, the World Health Organization (WHO) states on their website.[1] It can not only alter your quality of life, but it can cause serious medical conditions as well.
According to a recent article published on CTV News, it was discovered that pancreatic cancer can be linked to people who were overweight or obese in their teens and early adulthood.[2]
“Researchers in Ontario tracked more than 300 people who developed cancer of the pancreas, one of the deadliest cancers,” Author and journalist Avis Favaro states in the article. “They compared the body mass index (BMI) of those with pancreatic cancer with the BMI of more than 1,200 healthy adults. Researchers compared BMI at four stages of life: adolescence, during their 20s and 30s, during their 40s and 50s, and over the age of 50.”
Through this study, published in the journal Cancer Causes Control, the researchers found that people who were overweight or obese during their teens or early adulthood (20s or 30s) were 50 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer later in life.
Why is a higher BMI linked to this type of cancer?
Unfortunately, scientists and researchers do not actually know why having a higher BMI during the earlier years of life is linked to pancreatic cancer.
Some think that weight gain may be linked to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and altered intestinal bacteria, all of which may increase the risk of cancer. However, they are not sure of this.
How can SmartShape Weight Loss Centre help?
According to this article, bariatric surgery appears to reduce the risks of multiple cancers – not only cancer of the pancreas. At SmartShape Weight Loss Centre, we perform proven and safe weight loss procedures that have helped over 6,000 Canadians.
SmartShape Weight Loss Centre has helped patients improve their quality of life and achieve sustained weight loss since the clinic opened in 2005, and continues to be the leading provider of proven weight loss programs in Canada.
Our fully-qualified surgeons perform several life-changing procedures:
We also provide Lap-Band adjustments for those who’ve had their surgeries at SmartShape.
Learn more about our weight loss procedures at a free consultation or feel free to contact us at (888) 278-7952 to speak with a specialist.
[1] “10 Facts on Obesity.” World Health Organization, www.who.int/features/factfiles/obesity/en/.
[2] Favaro, Avis. “Pancreatic Cancer Risk Linked to Weight, Obesity in Teens and Early Adulthood: Canadian Study.” CTVNews, 25 June 2019, www.ctvnews.ca/health/pancreatic-cancer-risk-linked-to-weight-obesity-in-teens-and-early-adulthood-canadian-study-1.4482092.