Does Obesity Contribute to the Risk of Developing Kidney Cancer?

According to a recent study published in the American Society of Medical Oncology, obesity is a risk factor for kidney cancer. While kidney cancer is not a common type, it is important to take steps to prevent it as it is resistant to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal treatment.
Several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing kidney cancer have been identified, including smoking, high-calorie and fatty diets, high blood pressure, exposure to radiation, and dialysis. Obesity has also been identified as a risk factor for kidney cancer. However, some recent studies have suggested that obesity may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer in general but decrease the risk of developing fatal kidney cancer.

To investigate this further, researchers evaluated data from two separate studies conducted among women and men, with approximately 117,000 women and 50,000 men participating. Of the women, 103 were fatal, 309 were diagnosed with kidney cancer, 46 of the men were fatal, and 226 were diagnosed with kidney cancer. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess whether an individual's weight was normal for their height.

The results showed that although obesity did not increase the risk of fatal kidney cancer, it did increase the risk of it in general. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to risk factors contributing to multiple types of cancer, such as obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, and vitamin D deficiency.

Many people believe that their weight is normal when, in fact, they may be overweight or obese. In Turkey, statistics show that about 17% of the population is obese and 35% is overweight, which means that the percentage of individuals with a normal weight is below 50%. Therefore, it is crucial to calculate your BMI and aim to reach normal weight values, as this can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer and promote a healthier life.

In summary, while kidney cancer is uncommon, it is important to take preventative measures against the identified risk factors, including obesity. By addressing these risk factors, individuals can reduce their risk of developing kidney and other types of cancer and lead healthier lives.