Thursday 6 February 2020

The link between obesity & stomach cancer

Obese would be titled for people whose body mass index is greater than 30. Excess fat and being overweight can be termed as obesity. This excess of body fat can be harmful and cause a lot of health issues and complications as well. 

 Obesity

The most common causes of obesity would be too much intake of food, alcohol, certain medications, lack of sleep, and no physical activity. These could cause certain types of cancer, and women are at higher risk of developing cancers of the endometrium, breast, colon, kidney, and gallbladder.

Obesity & stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is considered to be a malignant ulcer in the lining of the stomach. It is also known as gastric cancer. One of the causes that leads to stomach cancer is the excess of fat or obesity. The chronic inflammation associated with obesity increases the risk of gastric cancer. Obesity can produce more insulin and leptin, which would lead to increased cell proliferation, promoting the growth of cancerous cells. People who are obese are more prone to develop H. pylori or Helicobacter pylori infection, which is considered to be a risk factor for peptic and gastric cancer. And the abdominal fat can be a risk factor as it produces oesophageal reflux, which in turn causes gastric cancer. 

Medical care 

Obesity would become a hindrance to a lot of treatments or treatment protocols. It affects the dosage of chemotherapy. Obesity is just one factor, but it layers on top of all the other factors that would trigger stomach cancer. A healthy lifestyle and diet can be the best way to prevent cancer, plus lowering the risk of obesity and other complications. 

Gastroscopy, CT scan, and upper GI series would be used to diagnose stomach cancer. Gastric surgery can be performed to help treat obesity when other treatments and methods fail. Usually, gastric cancer would require surgery in the form of partial or total gastrectomy or bypass.

 Stomach Cancer

Even though there are various methods and treatments for gastric cancer, it is better to prevent the issue initially. It is always suggested to maintain a proper diet to stay fit and healthy.


Blog Reviewed By: Dr Patta Radhakrishna
Mail Us: gastrosurgeonchennai@gmail.com

'Pancreatic cancer is stealthy. Strikes with little warning'

By the time the ailing Nigerian, Sun Igho, could reach India, he had lost precious time. The cancer was no more operable. The only thing lef...