Women who are obese face a 40% increased risk of developing a range of cancers, researchers warn today.
In total they face a 27% risk of developing one of these cancers during their lifetime, according to Cancer Research UK.
This compares with the 19% risk faced by women of healthy weight.
The study looked at seven types of cancer that may be triggered by obesity.
These are cancer of the bowel, gall-bladder, womb, kidney, pancreas and oesophagus together with post-menopausal breast cancer.
The charity says 18,000 women a year in the UK develop cancer because of being overweight.
Dr Julie Sharp, from Cancer Research UK, said: “We know that our cancer risk depends on a combination of our genes, our environment and other aspects of our lives, many of which we can control – helping people understand how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer in the first place remains crucial in tackling the disease.
“Lifestyle changes – like not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and cutting back on alcohol – are the big opportunities for us all to personally reduce our cancer risk. Making these changes is not a guarantee against cancer, but it stacks the odds in our favour.”
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