The “C” word (i.e. Cancer”) is not a diagnosis that any of us want. The chances are very high however that someone we know or are related to has succumbed to cancer. There are some “Cancers” that are not very dangerous, meaning that they do not tend to grow quickly, respond well to treatment and do not place lives in danger. As an example, basal cell cancers of the skin and thyroid cancer tend to be slow growing and can be diagnosed way before anything serious happens to the affected person. On the opposite end of the spectrum are highly aggressive cancers that may result in death in a fairly short period of time. Pancreatic cancer and malignant mesothelioma are examples.
Obesity is a risk factor for developing a number of cancers including:
- Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
- Breast (in women who have gone through menopause).
- Colon and rectum.
- Uterus.
- Gallbladder.
- Upper stomach.
- Kidneys.
- Liver.
- Ovaries.
- Pancreas.
- Thyroid.
- Meningioma (a type of brain cancer).
- Multiple myeloma.
A number of the cancers listed above can be quite aggressive and lead to very bad outcomes.
There are many reasons why successful weight control efforts are vitally important. Reducing the risk of cancer is most certainly one of these reasons.
Olivia Newton John succumbed to breast cancer one year ago. Her songs brought lots of smiles and a little more love to people.
