At Least 13 Cancer Forms Linked to Obesity: What Everyone Overweight Needs to Know

In Lithuania, the connection between excess weight and serious health conditions, particularly cancer, is being brought into sharp focus. Delfi reports on the insights from oncologist-chemotherapist Dainora Mačiulienė, who explains that fat tissue is far more than an aesthetic issue; it's a metabolically active organ with profound implications for overall health.

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Riebalinio audinio perteklius – tai ne tik estetinis klausimas ar nepatogumas veidrodyje. Tai biologiškai aktyvus audinys, kuris keičia viso organizmo biocheminius procesus. Nutukimo fone vystosi lėtinis, žemo intensyvumo uždegimas, kurio mes nejaučiame ir nematome, tačiau jis nuolat veikia ląsteles. Ilgainiui didėja DNR pažaidos tikimybė, sutrinka ląstelių augimo ir žūties reguliacija – o tai sudaro palankesnes sąlygas navikiniams pakitimams atsirasti

Dr. Mačiulienė clarifies that excess adipose tissue triggers chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body. While this inflammation may not be immediately noticeable, it silently damages cells and DNA over time. This persistent cellular stress disrupts the normal regulation of cell growth and death, creating an environment conducive to the development of cancerous cells. The article emphasizes that this is not a minor inconvenience but a significant biological process that elevates the risk of developing various cancers.

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Taip pat reikšmingi hormoniniai pokyčiai – ypač estrogenų perteklius, kuris nutukimo atveju gaminamas riebaliniame audinyje. Tai paaiškina padidėjusią hormonams jautrių navikų riziką. Ne mažiau svarbus ir imuninės sistemos aspektas – ilgainiui ji tampa išsekusi ir mažiau efektyviai atpažįsta bei sunaikina pakitusias ląsteles

The oncologist details the complex mechanisms at play, including insulin resistance, where the body becomes less responsive to insulin, leading to higher levels of this hormone and growth-related signaling molecules. This hormonal environment can stimulate cell proliferation. Additionally, increased estrogen production in adipose tissue, particularly in post-menopausal women, is highlighted as a key factor contributing to the heightened risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and uterine cancers.

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Savo KMI galima paprastai pasitikrinti naudojantis skaičiuokle manosvoris.lt.

The discussion also addresses the nuances of risk assessment. While Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common metric, Dr. Mačiulienė stresses that the duration and the specific location of excess fat—particularly visceral fat around the abdomen—are crucial. Individuals with metabolic syndrome, characterized by high blood pressure, elevated glucose, and unhealthy cholesterol levels, are also at increased risk. The message is clear: managing weight is not just about appearance but is a critical component of long-term cancer prevention.

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Mokslinėje literatūroje išskiriamos didesnės rizikos grupės. Tai moterys po menopauzės – dėl estrogenų gamybos riebaliniame audinyje ir ryšio su krūties bei gimdos kūno vėžiniu susirgimu. Taip pat žmonės su pilviniu, vadinamuoju visceraliniu, nutukimu – net jei bendras KMI nėra labai aukštas, pilvo riebalai labiau siejami su uždegimu ir insulino rezistencija