COMMENTARY
The Emerging Evidence about the Role of Obesity in Cancer
by Dr. Rachel Ballard-Barbash
Concern about the public-health consequences of obesity has risen as its prevalence has increased worldwide. Obesity rates have more than doubled since 1980, according to the World Health Organization.
In the United States alone, the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey results show that 34.2 percent of adults 20 years of age or older are overweight, 33.8 percent are obese, and 5.7 percent are extremely obese. In 1988–1994, in contrast, only 22.9 percent of adults were obese. Read more > >
FEATURES
Uncovering the Mechanisms Linking Obesity and Cancer Risk
Hormones, inflammation, signaling molecules, and more may play a role in cancer progressionSearching for Clues to Obesity among the Body's Many Microbes
What can be learned by studying our microbial ecosystems?Bridging Disciplines to Study Possible Cancer-Obesity Links
NCI's TREC initiative forges connections from basic biology to behavior and beyondThe Right Balance: Helping Cancer Survivors Achieve a Healthy Weight
Addressing obesity may reduce risk of recurrence and death, improve quality of life
Learn More: Additional Information and Resources
Obesity and obesity research at NCI and other federal agencies
A MESSAGE TO READERS
NCI Cancer Bulletin Special Issues
This issue of the NCI Cancer Bulletin focuses on the topic of obesity and its relationship to cancer. Other recent special issues have covered diverse research topics, including adolescent and young adult cancers, clinical trials enrollment, and cancer research training.
To read other special issues, as well as our regular issues, please visit the NCI Cancer Bulletin archive.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTSSUPPLEMENT TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE
Protein May Regulate Hormone Sensitivity in Breast Cancer
Targeting TWIST may restore sensitivity to hormone therapyEpigenetic Therapy Shows Potential in Advanced Lung Cancer
Clinical trial points to new cancer treatment avenuesTreatment Uses Antibodies and Light to Target Cancer Cells
New photodynamic therapy drug kills cancer cells while sparing normal tissueGenetic Mutation that Raises Melanoma Risk Identified
MITF gene variant increases risk of melanoma, regardless of family history
UPDATESSUPPLEMENT TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE
FDA Update
- Cetuximab Approved for Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
- Also in the News: Federal Judge Blocks FDA Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels
Notes
- NCI Board of Scientific Advisors Convened Last Week
- Free Webinar Will Address Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention
- State-of-the-Science Conference on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer Slated for December
Selected articles from past issues of the NCI Cancer Bulletin are available in Spanish.
The NCI Cancer Bulletin is produced by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which was established in 1937. Through basic, clinical, and population-based biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can identify the environmental and genetic causes of cancer, prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.
For more information about cancer, call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit http://www.cancer.gov.
NCI Cancer Bulletin staff can be reached at ncicancerbulletin@mail.nih.gov.
