Weight loss serving as a potential red flag for these types of cancer
Rapid weight loss is a big business, expected to hit $405 billion by 2030. But here's the kicker: most people who lose weight won't keep it off for a year, and they'll likely regain even more than they lost within two years.
That's why the quick-fix, lose-weight-fast schemes are probably just hype. Real, lasting weight loss requires time and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. But let's be real, weight loss isn't all sunshine and rainbows.
Sudden weight loss can be a red flag for serious health issues. If it happens within a short period, you should get checked out by the doc.
Recently, researchers from Dana Farber looked at 40 years of data from a couple of big studies, the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up study, to figure out what causes unexpected weight loss. Their findings? Losing more than 10% of your body weight in two years can up your risk for certain types of cancer over the next year.
They found that sudden weight loss increased the risk for:
- Upper GI tract cancers (like esophageal, stomach, liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancers)
- Hematological cancers (such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia)
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
However, there was no link between sudden weight loss and increased risk for other cancers like melanoma, breast, genitourinary, or brain cancers.
So, healthy weight loss is achievable through dietary changes or increased exercise, but sudden weight loss might signal an underlying cancer. And catching it early could make a big difference.
If you're shedding pounds without trying, hightail it to the doc. Sometimes it's good news, like a change to a healthier lifestyle, but sometimes it could be a warning sign.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. The Mediterranean diet can help you lose weight and lower your cancer risk. It emphasizes veggies, fruits, and fish, and steers clear of ultra-processed foods. Plus, nutritional supplements like Vitamin D, resistant starch, and aspirin (if you're cool with your doc) could help you avoid cancer.
[Sources]- Study suggests that unintentional weight loss is a signal to see a doctor - ScienceDaily- Cancer Diagnoses After Recent Weight Loss - JAMA- [Latest] Global Weight Loss and Weight Management Market Size/Share Worth USD 405.4 Billion by 2030 at a 6.84% CAGR: Growing obesity rate to propel market growth - Facts & Factors (Industry Trends, Revenue, Statistics, Segmentation, Report)- Unexpected Clues Emerge About Why Diets Fail - Scientific American
- Rapid weight loss, if not kept up for a year, often results in regaining even more weight within two years, indicating that quick-fix schemes may not lead to real, lasting weight loss.
- Sudden weight loss within a short period, especially when unintentional, might be a red flag for various medical-conditions, including potential cancer risks.
- Researchers have found that losing more than 10% of one's body weight in two years can increase the risk for upper GI tract cancers, hematological cancers, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.
- A healthy weight loss, on the other hand, can be achieved through adopting a nutritious diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fish, along with regular exercise and appropriate medical-condition management.
- Prevention plays a crucial role in overall health and wellness, and health-and-wellness practices like the Mediterranean diet, along with certain supplements like Vitamin D, resistant starch, and aspirin (if approved by a doctor), could help lower the risk for cancer and aid in successful weight-management.
