A recently published report notes that obesity will become the primary cause for cancer cases in British women.
It is estimated that almost 23,000 British women will get obesity-related cancers by 2035, which is just 2,000 below the 25,000 cases due to smoking. Almost two decades later, in 2043 obesity will become a major cause of cancer in women unless something will change.
According to official statistics, smoking is responsible for 12.4% of the cancer cases in British women, while obesity reaches a worrisome 7.5% and growing.
When it comes to men, the discrepancy is significantly larger because they smoke more often, as 17.7% of cancers cases registered in men are caused by smoking and a smaller 5.2% by obesity, which means that men will be less prone to suffer from obesity-caused cancers.
The research was led by the Cancer Research UK, which analyzed the occurrence of cancer cases over a period of 35 years in order to be able to make an accurate prediction and observe the overall evolution as time passed. It will also use the data in order to raise awareness about obesity and its related risks and the creation of national guidelines in order to limit the spread of obesity.
Obesity is already a major health issue in the UK and if nothing is done it will only become worse. When smoking is in decline, it took decades of effort in order to raise awareness about something that is already unattractive for a large segment of the population.
Bold action is needed, as over 25% of the population is already obese and UK has the highest obesity rates in Western Europe. The study does focus on women, but men should also pay attention to the issue as obesity is on the rise. The most common cancers caused by it are breast and prostate cancer, and more needs to be done in order to prevent it.
The promotion of cheap and unhealthy foods may be one key reason, and this should be the first issue to be solved.
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.