OBESITY CANCER RISKS RISING

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 OBESITY CANCER RISKS RISING








Obesity is fueling a surge in cancer deaths across the United States, with new research revealing that deaths from obesity-related cancers have tripled over the past 20 years. The latest findings, presented at ENDO 2025 by The Endocrine Society, indicate that this trend is disproportionately affecting women, older adults, and minority groups, particularly in underserved and rural communities [The Endocrine Society, 2025].

The study reviewed over 33,000 deaths tied to obesity-associated cancers and found dramatic increases, particularly among Black Americans, Native Americans, and people living outside major cities. Dr. Faizan Ahmed, the study’s lead author, emphasized the urgent need for early screening and better access to care, especially in high-risk populations. “Obesity is a major risk factor for multiple cancers, leading to substantial mortality,” Ahmed stated. “Our results highlight the need for targeted public health efforts and equitable healthcare access” [ENDO 2025].

Obesity is now prevalent in the U.S.—the CDC estimates that more than 40% of adults are obese. It’s not just about weight; obesity is a complex disease shaped by genetics, hormones, environment, and more. Besides raising the risk for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart and kidney disease, obesity is now strongly linked to 13 types of cancer, which together account for roughly 40% of all cancer diagnoses in the country each year [CDC].

These obesity-related cancers include:

  • Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

  • Postmenopausal breast cancer

  • Colon and rectal cancer

  • Uterine cancer

  • Gallbladder cancer

  • Upper stomach cancer

  • Kidney cancer

  • Liver cancer

  • Ovarian cancer

  • Pancreatic cancer

  • Thyroid cancer

  • Meningioma (a type of brain tumor)

  • Multiple myeloma

Between 1999 and 2020, the age-adjusted mortality rate for these cancers jumped from 3.73 to 13.52 deaths per million people, with the steepest rises among women and people in rural areas. Regionally, the Midwest reported the highest rates of obesity-related cancer deaths, while the Northeast had the lowest. On a state level, Vermont, Minnesota, and Oklahoma led the nation in these deaths, while Utah, Alabama, and Virginia had the lowest rates [The Endocrine Society, 2025].

This dramatic rise in obesity-linked cancer deaths reveals a critical gap in current public health strategies. As obesity rates continue to climb, the need for effective interventions and equal access to cancer prevention and care is more urgent than ever.

Sources:

  • The Endocrine Society. (2025). “Obesity-related cancer deaths in the U.S. have tripled in just two decades.” Presented at ENDO 2025

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Adult Obesity Facts.”

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