Lose some weight
Being overweight or obese is never good for your health, and that includes your risk for cancer. ‘Keeping your body lean and maintaining a healthy body mass index lowers your overall risk of cancer,’ says Jennifer Hopper, MS, director of employee wellness, worklife, and fitness at Piedmont Healthcare.
According to the American Cancer Society, excess body weight contributes to as much as one in five cancer-related deaths. ‘Putting on excess weight as one ages increases one’s risk of cancer, particularly for postmenopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and kidney cancer,’ says Dr. Kabat.
Although researchers aren’t sure of the exact connection between weight and cancer, it could have something to do with levels of hormones, factors that regulate cell growth, and immune system function.
‘Obesity may contribute to cancer risk by promoting inflammation,’ Dr. Ferris says. A recent study from Sweden found that the risk of getting liver cancer later on is increased in adolescent men who have a high BMI (body mass index)—so the importance of maintaining a healthy weight from a young age is paramount. ‘Weight control can play a role to prevent certain kinds of cancer and certain cancer recurrences,’ Dr. Francis says. ‘Taking the time to take care of yourself through diet and exercise is the first step.’
