Public ‘lack of understanding’ in cancer-weight link

Cancer Research UK has warned that too many people are unaware being overweight increases the risk of developing 10 different types of cancer.

Criticising the government for its failed attempt to tackle childhood obesity, the charity has labelled the unawareness as ‘concerning’, indicating that the health risks of being overweight had not got through to the general public.

According to an online survey, fewer than one-third knew of the link between obesity and breast or womb cancer, and more than half did not know pancreatic cancer was linked to obesity.

Research has suggested that 40 per cent of womb cancers are linked to obesity, while cancer in the bowel, kidney and breast are also commonly linked. It is believed that being overweight contributes to more than 18,000 cases of cancer each year in the UK.

Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK’s head of health information, said: “A quarter of all UK adults are estimated to be obese, and this has a real impact on their risk of developing cancer. Eating a healthy balanced diet and becoming more active can help people to keep a healthy weight. And encouraging children and teenagers to do the same can help them keep to a healthy weight later on in life.”

Alison Cox, director of prevention at Cancer Research UK, added: “Cancer isn’t at the forefront of people’s minds when talking about obesity and that’s really concerning. Few understand that excess weight increases the risk of several cancers, including some of the most common such as breast cancer.

“It’s the Government’s responsibility to inform the public of the link and also to take action to tackle the obesity epidemic, starting with the health of the nation’s children. It’s great the Government’s childhood obesity plan includes a sugary drinks tax, but it’s not enough to curb the rising tide of ill-health.”