Most Americans Unaware of Excessive Weight as a Risk for Some Cancers

Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 11 No 10
Volume 11
Issue 10

WASHINGTON-Most Americans worry about developing cancer and being overweight, but few of them recognize that excessive pounds are a risk factor for some common cancers, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). Of those polled, 61% said they were either very or somewhat concerned about receiving a diagnosis of cancer. Yet when asked to name major risk factors for cancer other than smoking, only 6% listed overweight or obesity.

WASHINGTON—Most Americans worry about developing cancer and being overweight, but few of them recognize that excessive pounds are a risk factor for some common cancers, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). Of those polled, 61% said they were either very or somewhat concerned about receiving a diagnosis of cancer. Yet when asked to name major risk factors for cancer other than smoking, only 6% listed overweight or obesity.

A recent review of the scientific literature by AICR found that excessive weight increased the risk of six types of malignancies—postmenopausal breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, prostate, and kidney—by 25% to 33%.

In the survey, conducted by the polling firm Harris Interactive, only 14% said they were not concerned at all about getting cancer and 24% said they were not very concerned. A significantly greater percentage of Americans earning less than $15,000 expressed concern about developing the disease than those earning higher incomes—35% vs 20%. And 73% of blacks said they were very or somewhat concerned vs 60% of whites. Women are more concerned than men: While 41% of the men said they were not worried about cancer, only 34% of the women expressed no concern.

When asked about cancer risk factors other than smoking, survey respondents mentioned certain chemicals (22%), overexposure to the sun (18%), consuming a high-fat diet (18%), heavy alcohol use (7%), and excessive weight (6%).

Newsletter

Stay up to date on recent advances in the multidisciplinary approach to cancer.

Recent Videos
“It’s a drug that I’m very comfortable with, and it is a drug I’ll likely use primarily in the first-line setting,” stated Jorge Nieva, MD, on taletrectinib in non–small cell lung cancer.
4 experts in this video
4 experts in this video
Those being treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis may not have to experience the complication rates or prolonged recovery associated with surgical options.
For patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, integrating PIPAC into a treatment regimen does not interrupt their systemic therapy.