Which type of cancers is obesity primarily associated with according to studies?

Which type of cancers is obesity primarily associated with according to studies?

• A. Cardiac and pulmonary
• B. Postmenopausal breast and colorectal
• C. Skin and bone
• D. Thyroid and adrenal

Answer: (B)

Obesity has a well-documented association with various types of cancers, and studies consistently highlight postmenopausal breast cancer and colorectal cancer as significant risks linked to excess body weight. In postmenopausal women, the body’s metabolism changes, impacting hormone levels, particularly estrogen. Higher levels of estrogen, which can result from excess fat tissue, have been linked to an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, including postmenopausal breast cancer. Similarly, obesity contributes to inflammation and altered insulin levels, which are factors that can influence the development of colorectal cancer. This association is supported by numerous epidemiological studies that have found a direct correlation between body mass index (BMI) and cancer incidence in these specific types, making the link between obesity and these cancers particularly strong and significant. Other options like cardiac and pulmonary conditions relate more to overall health impacts of obesity rather than direct cancer risks. Similarly, skin and bone cancers and cancers of the thyroid and adrenal glands do not exhibit the same level of established causation related to obesity as postmenopausal breast and colorectal cancers do. Hence, the strong evidence supporting the connection between obesity and postmenopausal breast and colorectal cancers makes this the correct answer.

Obesity has a well-documented association with various types of cancers, and studies consistently highlight postmenopausal breast cancer and colorectal cancer as significant risks linked to excess body weight.

In postmenopausal women, the body’s metabolism changes, impacting hormone levels, particularly estrogen. Higher levels of estrogen, which can result from excess fat tissue, have been linked to an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, including postmenopausal breast cancer. Similarly, obesity contributes to inflammation and altered insulin levels, which are factors that can influence the development of colorectal cancer.

This association is supported by numerous epidemiological studies that have found a direct correlation between body mass index (BMI) and cancer incidence in these specific types, making the link between obesity and these cancers particularly strong and significant.

Other options like cardiac and pulmonary conditions relate more to overall health impacts of obesity rather than direct cancer risks. Similarly, skin and bone cancers and cancers of the thyroid and adrenal glands do not exhibit the same level of established causation related to obesity as postmenopausal breast and colorectal cancers do. Hence, the strong evidence supporting the connection between obesity and postmenopausal breast and colorectal cancers makes this the correct answer.