Could Waist Circumference Influence Colorectal Cancer Risk?

Increasing waist circumference in middle age is connected to an increased the risk of bowel cancer, according to a new study recently presented at the 23rd United European Gastroenterology Week meeting.

At the event—held Oct. 24-28 in Barcelona, Spain—John Mathers, PhD, BSc, a professor of human nutrition from the Institute of Cellular Medicine at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, shared data that showed an overall increase of 18% in relative risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) per 5 unit increase in body mass index.
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Mathers also noted that there is now evidence demonstrating that excess body weight, i.e., increased waist circumference, is associated with increased bowel cancer risk in men. Mathers found that CRC risk went up by close to 60% in men who gained at least 10 cm in waist circumference over the course of 10 years. “This increased cancer risk,” said Mathers, “may be due to persistent inflammation in people with obesity.”

Mathers also presented data showing that patients with Lynch Syndrome—who are at elevated risk of CRC due to an inherited defect in a gene responsible for repairing DNA—are at greater CRC risk as their body weight increases, and those who are obese see the likelihood of colorectal cancer double.

Mathers told the audience that this provides “compelling evidence that improved lifestyle, particularly better dietary choices and being more physically active, can help to prevent obesity, and this will lower bowel cancer risk,” adding that overweight patients who lose weight may lower their risk of colorectal cancer, although more research is needed in this area.

“Bowel cancer is strongly associated with age, obesity, and diet, and is driven by inflammation,” said Mathers. “We can now give the public clear advice on the benefits of staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding weight gain to lower CRC risk as we get older.”

—Mark McGraw

Reference:

UEG Week: Increased risk of large bowel cancer for each 1 cm rise in waist circumference [press release]. October 26, 2015. https://www.ueg.eu/press/releases/ueg-press-release/article/monday-26-october-2015-1300-cet-ueg-week-increased-risk-of-large-bowel-cancer-for-each-1-cm-rise/.