Obesity puts people at greater risk of developing 10 of the most common cancers, according to research in the Lancet medical journal.
Scientists calculated individuals carrying this extra weight could contribute to more than 12,000 cases of cancer in the UK population every year. They warn if obesity levels continue to rise there may be an additional 3,700 cancers diagnosed annually, BBC reported.
The study of five million people is the largest to date to confirm the link. Doctors often warn being overweight can increase the risk of developing cancer, but this study highlights those forms of the disease where the risk is greatest.
Led by scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine researchers gathered data on five million people living in the UK, monitoring changes to their health over a period of seven years.
They found each 13-16kg (2-2.5 stone) of extra weight an average adult gained was linked firmly and linearly to a greater risk of six cancers.
How big this risk was varied depending on tumour type.
- Cancer of the uterus had the highest increased risk
- gallbladder
- kidney
- cervix
- thyroid
- leukaemia had the lowest rise in risk.
People who had a high body mass index (calculated using weight and height) were also more likely to develop cancer of the liver, colon, ovaries, and post-menopausal breast cancer.
But the effects for these cancers were less clear-cut and were influenced by individual factors such as the menopause.
Researchers say though obesity was associated with the development of the most common cancers – which represent 90% of the cancers diagnosed in the UK, some showed no link at all.
And there is some evidence to suggest a higher BMI is associated with a lower chance of getting prostate cancer.
Dr Krishnan Bhaskaran, who led the research, said: “There was a lot of variation in the effect of BMI on different cancers.
“For example, risk of cancer of the uterus increased substantially at higher body mass index, for other cancer we saw a more modest increase in risk or no effect at all.
“This variation tells us BMI must affect cancer risk through a number of different processes, depending on cancer type”
Tom Stansfeld, at Cancer Research UK, said: “Although the relationship between cancer and obesity is complex, it is clear carrying excess weight increases your risk of developing cancer.
“Keeping a healthy weight reduces cancer risk and the best way to do this is through eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly.”