Weight-loss surgery may reduce the risk of blood cancers.

Weight-loss surgery may reduce the risk of blood cancers.

Weight-Loss Surgery Linked to Lower Risk of Blood Cancers: New Research

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Weight-loss surgery has long been known for its positive effects on health and well-being. In addition to assisting individuals in shedding excess pounds, new research has revealed an unexpected benefit: a 40% lower risk of developing blood cancers. This groundbreaking finding offers hope and insight into the potential role of weight-loss surgery in preventing cancer.

Being overweight or obese is a known risk factor for various types of cancer. Women, in particular, face a higher risk of cancer compared to men when dealing with obesity. Researchers turned to the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study at the University of Gothenburg and the Cancer Registry at the National Board of Health and Welfare to gather data on over 2,000 individuals who underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss. These patients were then compared to an equally large control group of obese individuals who did not have weight-loss surgery.

The study’s follow-up period revealed that 34 individuals in the surgery group developed blood cancer while experiencing significant weight loss. On the other hand, 51 people from the control group developed blood cancer but remained obese. The majority of blood cancers observed in the study were lymphomas, which demonstrated a remarkable 55% reduction in risk for those who underwent bariatric surgery.

Interestingly, the researchers discovered that women with high blood sugar levels at the beginning of the study experienced the greatest benefits from weight-loss surgery. The link appears to emphasize the role of blood sugar in cancer development. Magdalena Taube, corresponding author and associate professor of molecular and clinical medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, stated, “The benefit of the surgery is linked to baseline blood glucose levels. The reduced risk of [blood] cancer was much more pronounced if the women’s blood sugar levels were high at the beginning, which clearly shows that blood sugar is an important factor in cancer development.”

Understanding the mechanisms connecting obesity and blood cancers is complex. Factors such as chronic inflammation and genetically related risk factors may come into play. However, the researchers proposed that metabolic improvements occurring after bariatric surgery, including reduced inflammation, may contribute to a lower risk of cancer.

These findings provide further evidence supporting the recognition of obesity as a risk factor for blood cancer. They also emphasize the potential of bariatric surgery in reducing this risk among obese women, offering significant hope for the future. As we continue to delve deeper into the relationship between weight loss, metabolic changes, and cancer prevention, weight-loss surgery emerges as a tool with vast potential beyond its initial purpose.

More Information

For further information, the American Society of Hematology has valuable resources on blood cancers.

SOURCES: University of Gothenburg, news release, Sept. 20, 2023

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