 When it comes to the topic of obesity and cancer, many would agree that being overweight will cause a higher risk for developing cancer. The link between obesity and cancer is becoming more of an urgent topic each year, and it is not showing signs of slowing down. More than a thousand studies have provided strong evidence that being obese does increase the risk for at least thirteen types of cancers. Nicholas Bakalar, in his article titled “More Cancers Tied to Obesity,” tells that these thirteen types of cancers account for more than 42% of new cancer diagnoses. Over the past 40 years, obesity has increased dramatically and can be called an epidemic due to the escalation of weight gain (Mantel). Due to the rise in obesity, cancer is becoming a greater issue and research is being conducted in order to show this and quite possible solve the problem. Although the link between cancer and obesity has not been completely determined, the research being currently conducted today is beneficial. The amount of cancer cases that are caused by obesity is increasing, and unless something is done, more people could be affected each year. 

According to the Hormone Health Network, “obesity is a chronic, long term, medical problem of having too much body fat” (“Hormones and Obesity”). In order to determine whether or not one is obese, a scale called body mass index, BMI, is used. The more body fat a person has, the higher their body mass index number will be. A BMI weight status below 18.5 is considered underweight, while a BMI weight status above 25.0 to 29.9 is considered overweight. If a person has a BMI weight status about 30.0, they are considered to be obese (“Hormones and Obesity”). Along with cancer, obesity also causes diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, gallstones, high cholesterol, and gout. Obesity can be caused by genetics, over eating, exercising too little, and taking in more calories each day than are burned (“Hormones and Obesity”). 

According to Cure Search for Children’s Cancer, “cancer is a disease in which cells grow and divide with little or no control” (“What is Cancer?”). Cancer begins when cells in the body duplicate, but pass on defected genes. Once cancerous cells are in the body, they begin to divide and duplicate rapidly as they spread to other areas. The cancerous cells are also able to destroy healthy cells around them and this is what makes it hard to catch and treat. 

According to Nicholas Bakalar, a writer for many newspapers, more than a thousand studies have found strong evidence that being obese does increase the risk for at least thirteen types of cancers. Not only does obesity risk the chance for cancer, but it also increases the risk for other diseases. Csaba Kovesdy, a professor at the University of Tennessee, argues that obesity shows all of the risk factors for cancer. It increases the risk of developing major risk factors for chronic kidney disease, nephrolithiasis, and kidney cancers. Adding to Bakalar’s argument, there is a quote used in the newspaper article that says, “Only smoking comes close as an environmental factor affecting cancer risk. And the message for nonsmokers: obesity now goes to the top of the list of things to focus on” (Bakalar). I believe that being overweight increases the risk for cancer. Evidence has shown that an adult with a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal and someone with a body mass index above 25 is considered to be at a much greater risk for developing cancer (Bakalar). Someone that has a body mass index above 25 doubles, and sometimes triples or quadruples, their chance of developing cancer. I strongly believe that cancer caused by obesity is on the rise and that children and adults are unaware of this risk. According to Barbara Mantel, writer for the New York Times, over the past 40 years, obesity has increased dramatically and can be called an epidemic (Mantel). I agree that obesity is an epidemic because one third of children and two thirds of adults are now overweight or obese. This statistic has not always been so alarming and this is due to the escalation of obesity. From statistics like these, I develop my opinion of how cancer is caused by being overweight is quickly growing. 

Also, I believe that cancer from obesity is more likely to happen in women than in men. According to research, cancer in women is rising six times faster than cancer in men (“Obesity Fueling Rise in Cancer Among Women”). Each year, more women are developing cancer while being obese than men are and this is alarming. The types of cancers that women are more likely to develop while being obese include womb cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer (“Obesity Fueling Rise in Cancer Among Women”) . Women with a BMI higher than 25 are 20-40% more likely to develop breast cancer than someone with a BMI below 25 (“Obesity and Cancer”). The cancer rates for men while being obese are around 0.5% for men and 3% for women. Research shows that 20% of cancer deaths in women have been caused by being obese (Carson, Kenneth, et al.). These rates are growing six times faster for women than they are for men (“Obesity Fueling Rise in Cancer Among Women”). On one hand I agree with Kenneth Carson that obesity and cancer is on the rise, but I also think that this epidemic could be stopped. According to the Cancer Research United Kingdom, “Drinking alcohol is also impacting women’s cancer rates, but not to the same degree as smoking and obesity.” Through this evidence, I strongly believe that cancer is more likely to develop in obese women than obese men. However, this does not mean that men should not be concerned with their body weight due to lower chances of developing cancer. Susan G. Komen, a nonprofit organization for women, argues that women are more likely to develop cancer than men. However, some may disagree and say that all people are more likely to develop cancer from obesity. The risk for developing cancer while obese affects both genders and should be taken seriously. 

Stacey Brown, freelance journalist for the Washington Informer, contends that the risk for cancer increases in obese postmenopausal black and Latino women. I completely agree with this, however, I believe that the risk increases in all postmenopausal women and they should be aware of this. Women who are obese after menopause have a 30-60% higher cancer risk. I completely agree with this, however, I believe that the risk increase in all postmenopausal women and they should be aware of this. Women who are obese after menopause have a 30-60% higher cancer risk. Whether a woman is African American, Latino, or Caucasian, they should be aware of the risk for developing cancer while obese. The statistics for African American and Latino woman show a higher risk for developing cancer while obese. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, obesity increases the risk for certain types of breast cancer in postmenopausal black and Latino women. A study on 15,000 African American women showed that being obese increased the risk for breast cancer by 31% (Brown 19). This shows that the risk for cancer nearly doubles in obese black women as compared to Latino or Caucasian women.

Lastly, I believe that the rising cancer rates can be stopped by educating people on the risk for cancer. 600 million adults, 18 and older, are obese (Kovesdy, Csaba P., et al. 99-108). I think that this is a very alarming number and that with the help of educating others, this number can be decreased, therefore lowering the cancer rates. Although the link between caner and obesity is not yet fully understood, people can still be educated on the risk. I concur that losing weight will not help to decrease the risk for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, losing weight will obese may lessen the risk for cancer. By losing weight, the person is regaining full ability and health of their body. According to the American Cancer Society, losing weight will while obese may lessen the risk for cancer. I concur that losing weight will not help to decrease the risk for cancer. By losing weight, the person is regaining full ability and health of their body. By losing weight, the person will not only lessen their risk for cancer, but also regain a full functioning immune system, proper levels of hormones, and sufficient cell growth. Losing weight will ultimately help the person reduce their risk for morbidity and mortality. 

Statistics have shown that Rhode Island is one of the most obese states and also has the highest obesity related cancer cases. According to Elizabeth Prsic, a professor of Hematology and Oncology at Brown University in Rhode Island, “one third of the Rhode Island population is obese and 27.7% of adults were obese in 2013.” It has been predicted that 40% of the population will eventually develop cancer from obesity and 20% of this population will actually die from it (Prsic 16). Currently, Rhode Island is trying to control this epidemic by changing their policies, such as healthcare and insurance. By changing their policies, they are growing awareness for this troublesome epidemic and believe that others will learn from this. Many people view the situation in Rhode Island as unsolvable and hopeless, but many could learn from this. While it is true that Rhode Island is one of the most obese states, it does not necessarily mean this is a bad thing. Other states could use this as an example in order to strengthen their policies and educate their people. Rhode Island is improving their policies which will help their future generations and prevent such a large number of people from becoming obese. 

Obesity is becoming a major problem, today, and because of this, cancer is on the rise as well. Although the link between obesity and cancer has not been certainly defined, it has definitely been discovered. Due to obesity, more and more people are developing cancer and should be educated on the risks. Thirteen cancers have been linked to obesity and these show no signs of slowing down. The amount of cancer cases that are caused by obesity are increasing, and unless something is done, more people could be affected.

 
