Obesity overtakes smoking as risk factor for four common cancers
Obesity has overtaken smoking as a risk factor for some types of cancer – including four of the most common.
We often hear the phrase “smoking kills”, but Cancer Research UK are highlighting the danger of excess weight as obese people now outnumber smokers by two to one.
In cases of bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver cancer, obesity is a bigger risk factor than cigarettes, according to the latest research from the charity.
For instance, obesity causes 1,900 more cases of bowel cancer a year than smoking. For kidney cancer, it’s 1,400 more cases; 460 more ovarian cancer cases, and 180 more liver cancer cases.
READ MORE: The diet mistakes that could be killing us
The research has come as figures released by Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics show a substantial reduction in smoking in the UK.
The overall smoking rate was down to 14.9% last year, down five percentage points from 2011.
“As smoking rates fall and obesity rates rise, we can clearly see the impact on a national health crisis when the government puts policies in place – and when it puts its head in the sand,” said Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s chief executive, in a statement.
“Our children could be a smoke-free generation, but we’ve hit a devastating record high for childhood obesity, and now we need urgent government intervention to end the epidemic. They still have a chance to save lives.”
Like smoking, obesity puts millions of adults at greater risk of cancer. We need the government to take action to improve our environment and help everyone live more healthily. Want to know what they can do? Find out more: https://t.co/sydwNrQL36 pic.twitter.com/kaQTwZRRwq
— Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) July 1, 2019
It comes amid a “fat-shaming” row over Cancer Research UK’s new billboard campaign.
READ MORE: Eating chips, pizzas and ready meals could take decades off your life
Some people on Twitter have called for the charity to remove the billboards, which they said “incite fat hatred”.
Please remove these ads and stop this campaign. It's fat shaming and contradicts the other great work you do as a charity
— Rupert Cole (@RupertCole) July 2, 2019
Please remove these ads and stop this campaign. It's fat shaming and contradicts the other great work you do as a charity
— Rupert Cole (@RupertCole) July 2, 2019
I agree . Body shaming or fat shaming just makes people feel worse, and responsible for their cancer. It leaves them vulnerable to abuse form others when they exercise.Correlation is not causation.
This campaign must cost millions. Wasteful and damaging,— Julie Taylor (@julie29a) July 1, 2019
Smoking is a behaviour. Obesity is an outcome of 1000's of factors. Seriously, are you thick? How messed-up, fatphobic & empathy-free can you get? Why are you intent on rocketing obesity to sky-high levels? Is your business partnership with @SlimmingWorld behind this?
— Elizabeth Grey 🔶 🇪🇺 (@elizabethjgrey) July 1, 2019
However, others have praised the organisation for tackling the sensitive topic, saying it’s time to address the health impact of obesity.
Bravo @CR_UK, it’s time for #realtalk. It might be socially acceptable, like alcohol abuse, but it doesn’t mean individuals should be excused of bad decisions #everythinginmoderation
— Adam Taylor (@Taylorman1982) July 2, 2019
Well done for having the courage to say it as it is. Obesity is a killer. Your job isn’t to make people feel warm and cuddly- you exist to educate and inform the public of the facts. Job well done.
— stokebird (@MARYSCFC73) July 2, 2019
CR: "Obesity increases your risk of getting cancer and dying, try live healthier"
Everyone: "omg are you shaming fat people?"
Self conscious much?— Colm Malone (@pandaflop1) July 2, 2019
Obesity is thought to affect around one in every four adults in the UK, and roughly one in five children aged 10 to 11.
Earlier this year, a debate broke out over whether obesity should be labelled as a disease or a lifestyle choice, after the Royal College of Physicians called for obesity to be reclassified as a the latter.
