Dr Lockie's Blog

Link Between Weight Loss and Reduced Risk For Colorectal Cancer

10th May 2022

In an interesting study, researchers found that there may be a link between weight loss and reduced potential for developing colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer).

In this article we break down the study and show you what it might mean for your health.

Weight is a complicated medical concern, and there are many different approaches to what defines a healthy weight. There have been some links between medical stigma and adverse health outcomes in people with obesity. Many people feel as though they can’t seek help or ask questions about their weight and health, because they feel ashamed or are not listened to with respect and care.

There is no shame in having obesity and all patients should be treated with respect and dignity, especially in medical care. We make it a point to provide a supportive, positive experience as we help you in your weight loss journey.

However, it is important to be educated about our health and to make an informed choice about the potential risks of obesity, as well as the potential benefits of weight loss.

In this study, they examined a trial of 154,942 men and women aged between 55 and 74 who were screened for colorectal cancer at the beginning of the trial and then again 3 or 5 years later.

The researchers found that weight loss over 0.5 kilos during this period led to a 46% reduced risk for colorectal adenoma compared to people who lost no weight.

What is Colorectal Adenoma?

Colorectal adenoma is a type of polyp in the colon that is a ‘precancerous growth’. A precancerous growth is a group of abnormal cells that may one day turn into cancer. The researchers also noticed the opposite effect, that weight gain greater than 2.9 kilos over 5 years could increase the risk of adenoma.

What Do These Findings Suggest?

These findings suggest that maintaining a lower weight, or weight loss in obese adults, may lead to a reduced risk of developing the precancerous growths (colorectal adenoma), which then reduces the chance of getting colorectal cancer.

These types of findings can be significant, as they indicate the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, and possible risks associated with a higher weight among certain groups. There are other possible health concerns such as fatty liver and increased risk for heart attacks and type 2 diabetes.

What Are My Next Steps?

If you have concerns about your weight, you can reach out to an empathetic and helpful GP about the potential risks associated with obesity and the possible methods of improving your overall health and lifestyle. One of these methods may be bariatric surgery, if it is deemed appropriate.

Alternatively, if you are wondering whether bariatric surgery could be the right fit for you and your health goals, you can book a free no-obligation consultation (a GP referral is not required) with our Perioperative Nurse Surgical Assistant, Shirley Lockie.

Disclaimer

All information is general in nature. Patients should consider their own personal circumstances and seek a second opinion. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.