Obesity-related cancer deaths in the U.S. have surged over the past 20 years, according to a study by researchers at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health, presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting. The research analyzed over 33,000 deaths from obesity-associated cancers between 1999 and 2020, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study links obesity to 13 types of cancer, which account for 40% of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S. annually.
Experts warn that the sharpest surge in obesity-related cancer deaths occurred between 2018 and 2020. The Midwest had the highest rate of these cancer deaths, with states like Vermont and Minnesota reporting the highest rates, while Utah, Alabama, and Virginia had the lowest. According to the CDC, over 40% of Americans are obese, which increases the risk of various cancers and other chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Researchers highlight the need for targeted public health strategies, such as early screening and improved access to care, especially in high-risk rural and underserved areas.
Study co-author Mohamed Bakr, M.D., associate director of Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Residency Program, confirmed that obesity-related cancer mortality has more than tripled in the U.S. He told Fox News Digital that the research underscores the need for public health strategies targeting high-risk areas, calling it a crisis that requires the same urgency as other epidemics.
Dr. Robert Den, a radiation oncologist and chief medical officer at Alpha Tau Medical in Massachusetts, added that the concerning rise in these cancers is particularly evident in colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, and postmenopausal breast cancers. These cancers are not only increasing in older adults but also in younger patients, a trend not seen in previous generations. He warned that these cancers are more aggressive, harder to treat, and costly to manage, placing a significant burden on individuals and healthcare systems.
Promoting healthy body weight through a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and reduced alcohol consumption are recommended steps to reduce cancer risk, according to Den. He also emphasized the importance of early cancer screenings and public health efforts like better nutrition education and access to healthier foods. New technologies and therapies are seen as a novel approach to managing these diseases.
Sue Decotiis, M.D., a medical weight-loss doctor in New York City, noted that the use of obesity and diabetes drugs, like GLP-1 medications, has been associated with reducing cancer risk. She called it one of the most impactful medical advancements in recent history. Decotiis explained that inflamed fat cells, known as cytokines, are produced in large amounts in obese individuals, leading to immune disruption and cancer. She recommended weight loss as a critical step to reduce inflammation and cancer risk.
Decotiis stressed the urgency of treating obesity and insulin resistance, as well as improving the food supply, rather than waiting for cancer to develop. She advised individuals to take obesity seriously, implement lifestyle changes, and seek professional help if needed. The study highlights the growing public health challenge posed by obesity and cancer, calling for immediate action and prevention strategies.