Britons oblivious to how being overweight can increase CANCER risk despite obesity crisis

DESPITE being in the midst of an obesity crisis some 40 per cent of UK adults don’t know obesity increases risk of cancer.

 

An 'alarming' number of adults aren't aware of obesity - cancer link

 

Worryingly, four in ten adults are not aware of the link between obesity and cancer, a poll has warned.

Given the startling statistic that 62 per cent of the UK adult population are currently overweight or obese, health experts describe this poll as “alarming.”

Over half of Welsh adults aren’t aware of the important link, while 59 per cent of people from Yorkshire and the Humber are ignorant to the health implications of being obese.

After not smoking, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) advise that maintaining a healthy body weight is the second best way you can minimise your risk of developing cancer.

 

Many adults don't know the link between poor diet and increased risk of cancer

 

They estimate that 84,000 cases a year in the UK could be prevented if people kept themselves in a good physical condition.

The poll - conducted by the WCRF - revealed 54 per cent of Britons don’t know the link between a lack of exercise and a higher risk of cancer.

Two fifths are not aware a poor diet could mean an increased chance of developing the potentially deadly disease.

More staggeringly, 43 per cent of people are not aware of the link between alcohol and cancer.

 

Thousands of cases of cancer could be PREVENTED if people lost weight

 

Numerous studies have linked a high chance breast cancer and consumption of alcohol.

Amanda McLean, director at World Cancer Research Fund UK, said: "It is worrying that so many people are still not aware that being overweight can increase their chances of developing cancer.

"In fact our research has shown that about 24,000 cancer cases in the UK could be avoided if everyone was a healthy weight.

"This New Year we hope people will get behind our campaign, ‘I CAN’, and make small changes to their lifestyles – they could make a huge difference to their health.

  

Breast cancer has been linked to obesity and alcohol consumption

 

"It doesn’t have to be anything too difficult – cutting down on high calorie foods and sugary drinks, drinking less alcohol, or even 10 to 15 extra minutes each day of physical activities such as brisk walking could all decrease a person’s cancer risk."

Extra fat in the body has harmful effects, like producing hormones and growth factors that impact our cells, according to Cancer Research UK.

They estimate that the many types of cancer more common in people who are overweight or obese, include breast, bowel, womb, oesophageal, gastric cardia, pancreatic, kidney, liver and probably gallbladder, ovarian and aggressive prostate cancers.