"Studies have demonstrated a connection between obesity and a person's risk of developing colon and other gastrointestinal cancers."

Breaking the link between obesity, gastrointestinal cancers

Studies have demonstrated a connection between obesity and a person's risk of developing colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. Now, scientists are investigating approaches that can break this relationship.

In an article in the journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, UNC Lineberger's Stephen Hursting, Ph.D., MPH, along with Cornelia Ulrich, Ph.D., MS, the director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute's National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and colleagues, reviewed findings from research looking at the biological links between obesity and cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas, liver, esophagus, gallbladder and stomach, as well as published studies on how diet, exercise, weight loss surgery, and other weight-related interventions may help reverse this connection.