Obesity and Cancer Related?

Just thought you all might like to read what was posted in my newpaper at work today (I work at a prominant hospital in St. Louis, Missouri). I found it to be very interesting. Obesity and diabetes, yes. Obesity and high blood pressure, yes. But obesity and cancer? An article in "Nature Reviews Cancer" last year noted that being overweight is linked to nearly a dozen cancers, including those of the colon and breast. Obese men are twice as likely to develop colon cancer and obese post-menopausal women face a 50 percent higher chance of breast cancer. With two-thirds of Americans being overweight, this connection will have a significant impact on future cancer rates. Will we soon be losing the battle against cancer? The exact connection is up for disscussion, but we know that fat is not just extra baggage, but an active tussure that produces many chemicals that can stimulate the growth of cells and inflammation. These conditions may allow cancer to develop or grow faster than it otherwise more than just hurt your waistline. Cancer is the country's second-biggest killer, behind heart disease. The link of obesity to both of these conditions should give us an extra push to live a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, weight management and plenty of fruit and vegetables should be our "way of life". According to the American Cancer Society, "Being overweight or obese is consistently associated with higher risk of colorectal cancer in men and women, with stronger associations condidtently observed in men than in women. Overweight and obesity increase the risk of colorectal cancer even when physical activity is accounted for." Source: American Cancer Society/Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures - Special Edition 2005