Obesity and Colon Cancer

Recent research, though it is quite preliminary is showing a link between
obesity and colon cancer. Abdominal fat was found in the research to have
shown the highest risk and chance of developing cancer. The goal of the
research is to learn about the risks, links and chances of developing colon
cancer since it strikes hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Also
the research was focused on colon cancer because it adversely affects both
genders, unlike prostate cancer and breast cancer.

Science Daily reported on the research saying, "Leptin – a fat cell-derived
hormone regulating body energy – is higher in obese individuals. Fenton's
study is the first to demonstrate that, at higher levels, leptin induces
precancerous colon cells to produce more of a growth factor that can
increase blood supply to early cancer cells – promoting tumor growth and
cancer progression."

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