Belly Fat and Future Cancer Risk

Studies suggest that excess belly fat leads to a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, and new studies show it may play a part in some forms of cancer. Although it is no secret extra weight increases the chances of someone developing cancer, scientists now believe that belly fat can predict a person's risk of developing cancer just like a person's body mass index (BMI). Research suggests that as a person's waistline increases, so does their chances of getting certain types of cancer, including pancreatic, breast and colorectal cancer. 

Waistline Measurements and Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, adding about 11 centimeters to your waistline could increase your chances of developing an obesity-related cancer by 13 percent. Also, the WHO stated that an additional 8 centimeters around your waistline can increase your chances of developing bowel cancer by 15 percent. Obesity and excess weight are two of the biggest preventable causes of cancer behind smoking.

If you carry around excess belly fat, it can change the level of your sex hormones, cause your insulin levels to rise and lead to inflammation, which are all known factors of increased levels of cancer. There are 13 types of cancers associated with obesity and excess weight, and bowel cancer is the most common among people with excess belly fat.

Belly Fat is the Most Dangerous Fat
Aside from predicting certain cancer risks, belly fat is particularly troublesome because it is not limited to just one layer of fat. Instead, belly fat also includes visceral fat, which lies deep beneath the abdomen surrounding some of your internal organs. Although belly fat is most commonly linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, aging does play a role. While you age, you start to lose muscle mass and density, which affects how many calories your body burns. Dieticians suggest if you are over 50, you should eat 200 calories less than you did in your 30s.

How Body Weight Affects Cancer Risk
Studies suggest that excess belly fat affects several of your body's mechanisms, including the regulation of cell growth and how certain proteins affect your hormonal levels. These mechanisms may be specific to certain forms of cancer, but Cancer.org states the links between these mechanisms, belly fat and cancer are not yet fully understood.

Weight Loss and Cancer Risk
Evidence continues to show that losing weight, specifically losing belly fat, may reduce the risk of some cancers, including prostate cancer and breast cancer in women and men. Research shows that people who intentionally lose their belly fat reduce the levels of hormones in their bodies most commonly linked to some forms of cancer. A reduction in your hormone levels such as insulin, estrogen and androgen can significantly decrease your risk of cancer, especially aggressive forms of prostate cancer in men.

However, weight loss does far more than decrease your risk of developing cancer. Losing weight can decrease your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes and many other health-related issues. It also reduces your chances of sudden, premature death.