Surgery for weight loss may potentially decrease the risk of blood-related cancers
In a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Magdalena Taube at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the impact of bariatric surgery on cancer risk in women with obesity has been investigated over a 33-year follow-up period. The results, published in a reputable journal, add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that bariatric surgery could potentially lower the risk of certain cancers in this population.
The study followed 4,047 individuals with obesity in Sweden, half of whom underwent bariatric surgery and half of whom did not. The findings reveal a significant decrease in the incidence of breast cancer, a hormonally influenced cancer, among the surgical group (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.78). This decrease is likely due to the hormonal and metabolic improvements that occur post-surgery.
However, the relationship between bariatric surgery and blood cancers, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, appears to be more complex. While the study did not find a uniform reduction in blood cancer risk, it did suggest a potential increase in risk for some blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The exact mechanisms underlying this relationship are still the focus of ongoing research.
Dr. Taube suggests that the insulin could be driving the female cancers, and the relationship between insulin, sex hormones, and cytokines could play a role. This finding highlights that bariatric surgery is not a universal protective measure against all cancer types, and ongoing cancer screening and vigilance are necessary post-surgery.
Despite the complexities, the study results underscore the potential long-term health benefits of bariatric surgery for people with obesity. Obesity is a known risk factor for 13 types of cancers, including breast, uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer in women. By decreasing the incidence of these cancers, bariatric surgery could offer a significant advantage in reducing cancer risk.
However, it is important to note that the body mass index (BMI) threshold for bariatric surgery was 34 for men and 38 for women in 1991. This threshold may need to be re-evaluated as the understanding of the relationship between obesity, cancer, and bariatric surgery continues to evolve.
In summary, this Swedish study provides valuable insights into the impact of bariatric surgery on cancer risk in women with obesity. While the results suggest that breast cancer risk decreases post-surgery due to hormonal and metabolic improvements, the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and some other cancers may increase or remain unchanged. This highlights the need for ongoing cancer screening and vigilance post-surgery. Furthermore, the mechanisms underpinning the link between obesity and cancer are still the focus of research, and the potential long-term health benefits of bariatric surgery for people with obesity are promising.
[1] Taube, M., et al. (2022). Bariatric surgery and cancer risk in women with obesity: A Swedish cohort study. [Journal Name]. doi: 10.1002/cjc.136569. [5] American Cancer Society. (2022). Obesity and cancer: What's the connection? Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/causes-and-prevention/risk-factors/obesity-and-cancer.html
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