Weight Loss and Weight Loss Surgery Dramatically Reduces Cancer Risk

Obesity increases the incidence and mortality from some types of cancer, but it remained uncertain whether intentional weight loss can decrease this risk.

In a retrospective cohort study of 30 318 patients, bariatric surgery was significantly associated with a lower risk of obesity-associated cancer and cancer-related mortality. [Aminian A, Wilson R, Al-Kurd A et al. Association of Bariatric Surgery with Cancer Risk and Mortality in Adults with Obesity. JAMA. Published online June 3, 2022. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.9009]

Among adults with obesity, bariatric surgery compared with no surgery was associated with a significantly lower incidence of obesity-associated cancer and cancer-related mortality. This gives one more important benefit of bariatric surgery, in addition to the improvement of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and reduction of cardiovascular morbidity.