Weight loss surgery is associated with reduced risk of female cancers

Tagged cancer; Posted 7 years ago by Andreas Obermair

New research findings published last month in Gynecologic Oncology found weight loss surgery reduces both the incidence of overall cancer in obese women, and also the risk for female-specific cancers, particularly endometrial cancer.

Weight loss surgery restricts the amount of food able to be eaten which allows an individual to feel full after only eating small amounts of food (such as gastric bypass surgery).

The study recently published aimed to determine the long-term health outcomes after weight loss surgery. The study involved 1420 women (age 37-60 years) in Sweden who had undergone weight loss surgery and 1447 other women who received standard treatment for obesity (non-surgery group). In the non-surgery group patients received lifestyle advice from their primary health care centre, and some women received no professional help with their weight loss.

Results

At the start of the study, the mean BMI was 38 kg/m2 or higher. Follow-up was conducted up to 20 years.

After weight loss surgery, average weight losses were 28 kg at 2 years after surgery, and 21 kg at 10 and 15 years post-surgery. Throughout the 20 year follow-up period there were 267 first time cancer events in the non-surgery group and 205 events in the weight loss surgery group.

The risk of developing any cancer was 29% lower among women who had undergone weight loss surgery than amongst women in the non-surgery group. Of the first time cancers, 49% were female-specific (breast, endometrial, ovarian, and all other gynaecological cancers). When observing female-specific cancers alone weight loss surgery reduced their incidence by 32% compared with non-surgical treatment.

The association between weight loss surgery and cancer is important. Weight loss surgery will not be an option for everyone, but this study shows maintaining a healthy weight or reducing weight can decrease your cancer risk along with many other health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The next blog will be about fasting and how fasting may help to lose weight. 

If you wish to receive regular information, tips, resources, reassurance and inspiration for up-to-date care, that is safe and sound and in line with latest research please subscribe to receive my blog, or like Dr Andreas Obermair on Facebook. Should you find this article interesting, please feel free to share it.