Weight loss surgery linked to lower cancer risk

Researchers Find Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss Reduces Cancer Risk and Mortality

• Researchers investigated the effects of bariatric surgery for weight loss on cancer risk and mortality.
• They found that bariatric surgery reduced cancer risk by 25% and mortality by 43%, especially in women.
• However, further studies are needed to understand underlying mechanisms.

Around 21% of deaths in the United States in 2019 were linked to cancer. Thirteen types of cancer are linked to obesity, including two of the most common types of cancer: colorectal and breast cancer.

Currently, 42.5% of adults in the U.S. are classed as having obesity, and 31.1% are overweight. Meanwhile, severe obesity is known to increase the risk of death from cancer by 62% among women and 52% among men.

While studies show that higher body mass index (BMI) is linked to increased cancer risk, it is less clear whether ways to reduce BMI reduce cancer risk.

Studies show that bariatric surgery—various surgical procedures that change the digestive system to facilitate weight loss—is linked to clinically significant weight loss and that it modulates cancer-relevant biological mechanisms that may reduce incidence and improve mortality for some cancers.

Study Details

For the study, the researchers analyzed healthcare data from 21,837 patients who had undergone bariatric surgery between 1982 and 2018 alongside data from 21,837 controls who had not undergone surgery who were matched for age, sex, and BMI.

Procedures included:

1. Gastric bypass: reducing the size of the stomach and directing food to the middle part of the small intestine
2. Gastric banding: when a silicon band is placed around the stomach to reduce stomach capacity
3. Sleeve gastrectomy: when part of the stomach is separated and removed from the body
4. Duodenal switch: a combination of a sleeve gastrectomy and a gastric bypass

Ultimately, the researchers found that patients who had bariatric surgery were 25% less likely to develop any cancer compared to the nonsurgical comparison group. They were also 43% less likely to die from cancer than those who did not undergo surgery.

Men vs. Women

Women who underwent surgery were 41% less likely to develop obesity-related cancers, such as breast, ovarian, uterine, and colon cancer. Additionally, they had a 47% reduced mortality for any kind of cancer compared to women who did not undergo surgery. This included a 55% reduced mortality for obesity-related cancers and a 38% reduced mortality for non-obesity-related cancers.

Meanwhile, bariatric surgery was not linked to reduced overall cancer mortality or obesity-related cancer mortality in male patients. It was, however, linked to 51% lower cancer mortality with non-obesity-related cancers.

According to Dr. Ted Adams, Ph.D., adjunct professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah and corresponding author of the study, a hormonal mechanism may be at play as bariatric surgery had a particularly strong effect on obesity-related cancers among women.

Dr. Joshua Cohen, the medical director of the gynecologic cancer program at City of Hope Orange County, also mentioned that bariatric surgery may affect hormone levels and thus lead to weight loss.

Dr. Abraham Krikhely, a bariatric and general surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, noted that while the study demonstrates a correlation, it does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. He added that most patients had a gastric bypass, meaning that it is less clear how other bariatric operations affect cancer risk.

Dr. David Voellinger, a bariatric surgeon at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlighted the effects of weight loss in treating cancer. He mentioned that bariatric surgery can be used to decrease the incidence and mortality of certain cancers.

Considerations Before Surgery

Dr. Cohen suggested that women considering treatments that affect hormone production, such as birth control pills or bariatric surgery, should first speak with a healthcare professional about potential health risks. He added that the best way to ‘stop cancer’ is to prevent it in the first place—by adopting a healthy diet and an exercise routine.

Dr. Anton Bilchik, Ph.D., surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, also emphasized the benefits of weight loss surgery and the need for future studies to explore long-term benefits.

Dr. Mir Ali, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, added that this study may help individuals who meet the criteria for surgery but are hesitant to take that step see the additional scope of benefits.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.
• Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
• Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

4. Detailed Explanations

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are connected to the issues highlighted:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article discusses the effects of bariatric surgery on cancer risk and mortality, which relates to the target of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (Target 3.4).
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article highlights the impact of bariatric surgery on women’s health, including a reduced risk of obesity-related cancers and lower cancer mortality. This connects to the targets of ending discrimination against women (Target 5.1) and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health (Target 5.6).
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article mentions the prevalence of obesity and overweight in the United States, which contributes to health inequalities. The target of promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all (Target 10.2) is relevant in addressing these disparities.

The article also implies specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• The mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease (Indicator 3.4.1) can be used to assess progress towards reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
• The presence of legal frameworks promoting equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex (Indicator 5.1.1) can be used to measure progress towards ending discrimination against women.
• The proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care (Indicator 5.6.1) can be used to assess progress towards ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health.
• The proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities (Indicator 10.2.1) can be used to measure progress towards promoting social and economic inclusion for all.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com

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