Many of us would be aware that obesity or being obese could lead to high blood pressure, heart related issues and diabetes etc in us. How many really know that obesity can also result in digestive cancers in us?
There are high chances of getting affected with digestive cancers (in oesophagus, stomach, pancreas and colon etc) if we have excess body weight. This has been confirmed by some research study.
How excess weight can be a cause for digestive cancers?
The physiological changes that can occur in us due to excess body weight can make us more prone to digestive cancers. It is learnt that the adipose tissue would produce hormones and growth factors that would result in development of cancer. There are more possibilities of chronic inflammation when we are obese. This chronic inflammation would further lead to cell damage and progression of cancer. When we have excess amounts of fats in us then we could have insulin resistance and increased levels of insulin secretion Truth is that insulin in excess amounts could lead to the growth of cancer cells in us.
Link between obesity and digestive cancers:
Chronic inflammation:
We could get persistent low level inflammation in us due to obesity. Point is that this inflammation could damage DNA and could lead to cancerous changes in our digestive system.
Hormonal changes:
Cell growth as well as cell division would be affected by hormones like leptin and adiponectin produced by adipose tissue. Higher risk of getting digestive cancers is possible due to increased levels of leptin and adiponectin.
Insulin resistance:
In the obese persons, there would be high levels of insulin and this would be responsible for the growth of cancer cells. There is more chance of developing digestive cancer.
Altered gut microbiome:
The balance of gut bacteria would get disrupted by obesity. As a result, we could get inflammation and cancer formation in the digestive tract.
There are few signs that are associated with digestive cancer (especially stomach cancer) such as persistent indigestion, heartburns, a feeling of fullness after eating just small quantities. There would also be issues like nausea, vomiting and unexplained weight loss etc. Point is that when the cancer develops inside the person then he or she could have more severe issues like abdominal pain, swallowing issues, blood in stools etc.
Those with digestive cancers might feel very weak and fatigued also due to anaemia. It is worth mentioning here that in the initial stages of stomach cancer, it would not be possible to identify the signs and they could get overlooked easily.
How to avoid digestive cancer:
Factors like excessive intake of salt and deficient dietary intake of fruits, vegetables etc can result in digestive cancer in us. It is possible to lower the risk of this cancer by consuming vitamin C that is present in fruits, vegetables etc. It is true that by understanding g the connection that exists between obesity and digestive cancer we could prevent it and protect our health.
