Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Excess body weight
Summary
Carrying excess body fat is associated with at least 13 types of cancer.
Detail
Major cancer-research bodies (WHO, IARC, WCRF/AICR) identify excess body fat as a risk factor for at least 13 cancers, including postmenopausal breast, colon, rectum, endometrium, esophagus (adenocarcinoma), kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, ovary, thyroid, multiple myeloma, gastric cardia and meningioma. The WCRF Cancer Prevention Recommendations include keeping a healthy weight throughout life and being physically active as core measures.
Regional relevance
global
Sources
Supporting sources
- Canadian Cancer Society — Canadian Cancer Society — Reduce your risk
- Cancer Research UK — Cancer Research UK — Causes of cancer and reducing your risk
- IARC / WHO — European Code Against Cancer — European Code Against Cancer (5th edition) — 14 ways you can help prevent cancer
- Cancer Council Australia — Cancer Council Australia — Causes of cancer
- WCRF/AICR — WCRF/AICR — Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective (Third Expert Report)
- WCRF/AICR — WCRF — Cancer Prevention Recommendations
Consumer references
Third-party tools some readers use alongside primary evidence. Meyron doesn't endorse them; we link them because you'll otherwise hit them anyway.
- California Prop 65 list
State of California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.