Cited by 778Cancer Risks and FactorsObesity, Physical Activity, DietObesity and Health Practices

Obesity and cancer

Open access
Wolin, Kathleen Y., Carson, Kenneth, Colditz, Graham A.·2010·The Oncologist

Abstract

Weight, weight gain, and obesity account for approximately 20% of all cancer cases. Evidence on the relation of each to cancer is summarized, including esophageal, thyroid, colon, renal, liver, melanoma, multiple myeloma, rectum, gallbladder, leukemia, lymphoma, and prostate in men; and postmenopausal breast and endometrium in women. Different mechanisms drive etiologic pathways for these cancers. Weight loss, particularly among postmenopausal women, reduces risk for breast cancer. Among cancer patients, data are less robust, but we note a long history of poor outcomes after breast cancer among obese women. While evidence on obesity and outcomes for other cancers is mixed, growing evidence points to benefits of physical activity for breast and colon cancers. Dosing of chemotherapy and radiation therapy among obese patients is discussed and the impact on therapy-related toxicity is noted. Guidelines for counseling patients for weight loss and increased physical activity are presented and supported by strong evidence that increased physical activity leads to improved quality of life among cancer survivors. The “Five A's” model guides clinicians through a counseling session: assess, advise, agree, assist, arrange. The burden of obesity on society continues to increase and warrants closer attention by clinicians for both cancer prevention and improved outcomes after diagnosis.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1634/theoncologist.2009-0285

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76 of 76 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Weight loss is the cornerstone of therapy for people with obesity because it can ameliorate or completely resolve the metabolic risk factors for diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity-associated cancers.

    “Weight loss is the cornerstone of therapy for people with obesity because it can ameliorate or completely resolve the metabolic risk factors for diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity-associated cancers.”

    From Preserving Healthy Muscle during Weight Loss (2017) · cites this paper as [6]

    The 'Weight Loss and Intermediate Endpoints' section reports improvements in insulin, glucose, and blood pressure with weight loss and increased activity; 'Counseling for Weight Loss' describes diabetes prevention, and 'Weight Loss and Cancer Risk Reduction' describes reduced cancer risk. The paper does not establish that weight loss completely resolves these risk factors, specifically addresses coronary artery disease, or calls weight loss the cornerstone of obesity therapy. Page numbers were not available for these passages. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [24]24. Russo A, Franceschi S, La Vecchia C et al. Body size and colorectal-cancer risk. Int J Cancer 1998;78:161-165.
  2. [48]48. Dubois D, Dubois EF. Title? Arch of Int Med 1916;17:863-871.

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Authors
Wolin, K. Y., Carson, K., & Colditz, G. A.
Affiliations
Barnes-Jewish Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Wolin, Kathleen Y.
Venue
The Oncologist
Published
2010-05-27
Volume
15
Issue
6
Pages
556-565
ISSN
  • 1083-7159 (ISSN-L)
  • 1549-490X
OpenAlex
W2155052327
Cited by
778
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 52 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 54 · 2016: 44 · 2015: 64 · 2014: 64 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 50
FWCI
4.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Oncologist (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professorship
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
Keywords
obesity, cancer risk, weight gain, weight loss, breast cancer, postmenopausal women, colon cancer, physical activity, chemotherapy dosing, radiotherapy toxicity, cancer survivorship, cancer prevention, quality of life
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasms, Obesity, Risk Factors, Weight Gain

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